A late night but maybe little movement

RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR

Not everyone will be back after the free agents fall.

Big day?

I’m not sure, actually. I know it’ll be a late one in case we find out some things right after midnight tonight but the people I talked to around league and Raptorland yesterday made it sound like nothing was going to happen with these guys at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow.

That said, things have a tendency to come together quickly in free agency, one signing happens (or one agreement is reached might be a better way to put it) and other stuff can fall into place rapidly.

As one guy put it to me yesterday afternoon, concerning the Raptors and the league:

“There are so many different balls up in the air right now, it’s hard to guess what’s going to happen.”

He probably should have added, “or when it might happen.”

Anyway, looks like we’re in for a bit of a long day.

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Marion, of course, is the first.

Here’s what I know, or at least what I’ve heard from people who are paid to know these things.

As they’ve been saying all along, they’d like to get him back at a reasonable number over a few years or, as I suggested yesterday, they might try (futilely, I imagine) to get him on a big-bucks one year deal.

About “four or five” teams have expressed some interest in exploring sign and trades if there’s no deal to be done here.

The only names being speculated on – and it’s true speculation right now – are Dallas and New Orleans but they are very cursory talks and nothing is, or was, too serious. And, sadly, no names at the moment. And, as I mentioned the other day, I’m virtually certain Bryan will – and should – call Orlando to see if there’s a Turkoglu deal to be done.

I would think he should call Houston, he should call Utah and probably Sacramento to see if there’s a deal to be done. Chicago’s loaded and while there may not be a fit there, it’s at least worth a cold call to see what the Bulls might be thinking.

I do know from various people that if you’re looking at Portland, there is no interest there in dealing away the one guy who might fit, Travis Outlaw. So let’s put that one out of mind at the moment.

But, as you should realize by now, some people keep things very close to the vest until they’re actually done or imminent so ferreting out information long before something happens is uber-difficult.

We’ll try, though.

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Now, before anyone rushes out and buys replica No. 44 The Legend jerseys, please consider this:

The offer sheet to Pops Mensah-Bonsu yesterday meant nothing. The offer is entirely non-guaranteed, it doesn’t mean they are dead set in bringing him back but he’s like an insurance policy in case something else goes down.

Because it’s not at all guaranteed (worth a little bit more than $1 million), no one in the organization thinks he’ll sign it because if he does and something else comes up, all they’ll do is waive him and have faced no risk.

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On the other hand, we have our friend Mr. Graham.

If they had extended a qualifying offer to him, it would have had to have been worth about $3.5 million, it would have been fully guaranteed (under rules pertaining to qualifying offers) and, as one guy with a brain said last night:

“If he gets an offer for $3.5 million guaranteed, he’d sign it in about 10 seconds.”

Now, Joey may get some offers out there in the league (although I bet he’s a late-July, early-August signing after all the big moves are made) but I also can’t fathom it being for that much money.

And, this way, the Raptors don’t have that money tied up in a guy they can get -- if not him, a cheaper facsimile – any time this summer.

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Got your BayHawks jersey yet?

Yes, the new D League affiliations are out and the Raptors are now hooked up with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Erie BayHawks.

It doesn’t mean much except that travel costs are down significantly from last year when they were hooked up with the Idaho Stampedes.

And I will say this, I may never have been in Boise but I have been in Erie and the Raptor sure didn’t upgrade the scenic nature of their affiliation.

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The Raptors haven’t finalized their summer league roster yet – I know they expect DeRozan, Jawai, Ukic, Douby and O’Bryant there from list of returning players – but I will tell you this:

They want Marcus Banks to play and the last time I spoke to anyone with power in the organization, the request was being greeted with resistance.

I imagine Banks, with six years in the league, might think he’s above playing in the summer league, which is absolutely the wrong thing to think.

Here’s a kid who’s played about 1,200 regular season minutes over the last three years (my abacus says that’s the equivalent of about 25 48-minute games) and a kid who needs to show a little bit of what he can do, even under messy summer league conditions.

Not only that, if Banks wants to have a chance to earn some time with the Raptors – or even show 29 other GMs that he’s got some game – it’s imperative he plays.

Stay tuned on this one, because if he ultimately bails, I can’t imagine it’s going to make his bosses happy.

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From Digression World, we offer this:

Remember the Marathon of Golf thingy way back when, the 100 holes in a day charity fund-raiser for the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association?

Well, got a note that says the final tally was about $43,000 raised and I know that some of you had something to do with that.

Again, thanks. Very much.

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You know who I’m not sure I want to be?

Kris Humprhies.

Now, I like Hump and think he’s got some promise but I can be pretty certain in saying that if Bryan’s out there trying to make multi-player trades, one of the guys he’ll offer in a package and one of the guys other teams might look at is Hump.

He’s 24, shows some promise some time, has a very manageable contract ($2.9 million this year, $3.2 million in 2010-11) and if there’s a chance to make some that might include a big man coming back along with something else, Hump’s got some value.

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Comments

[Pete]

Hi Doug,

would the Raps have any interest in Charlie V??

Blogger's note: A bit probably but they have little chance of making anything happen

[dave]

OMG! You didn't talk about ex Raptor CV not getting an offer from the bucks!?

Why did they do that? Where you think he will end up? Think the Raptors might have intrest? He young and can score. Better option than Marion.

Blogger's note: I mentioned about a few times yesterday I wouldn't be surprised if they made a call; I would expect him to go to a more serious contender like Cleveland or San Antonio and I'd guess Detroit would have some interest. Unless he's willing to play for the mid-level, I don't see a fit here

[brian]

Hey Doug,

Do you think the raps would be interested in Camby. i mean a starting lineup of jose dero marion bosh and camby( asuming we can bring back marion for arounf 7 mil) would be a very good defensive and rebounding starting 5. not to mention, roko ap/ delfino(depending on the one/both/niether) evans bargs ect... coming off the bench, that lineup would seem very promising no?

[B]

Speaking in Fiscal terms, Can Orlando acquire Marion realistically?

Blogger's note: Depending on what kind of tax hit they want to eventually take, sure they can

[drew]

Hey doug, I don't understand how agents work in the NBA... Have you ever met Dan Fegan? Is he your prototypical "smooth talking" sports agent? Is it worth players giving percentages of their salaries to agents? Any idea on the percentage? Would u say a large amount of trades made are through agents?

Blogger's note: Agents hold a lot of power and often work as intermediaries in transactions. Some players want them to do all the work; some just hire lawyers on an hourly basis.

[chris]

Hump is fantastic for his $'s, and if he ever figures out his role has some good upside.

Doug - your ideas on who the younger versions of marion we should/might target are?

[Mark L]

Doug, non-raptor related question: Whatever happened to that Darius Miles situation with Portland? Did they end up having to absorb his salary?

Blogger's note: Yeah, he's on their books for $9 million

[Tom]

Would you rather have Marion or a younger guy like Ariza? Would Ariza be a touch cheaper and allow us to sign another rotation guy? Would it have to be a sign and trade with the Lakers so we effectively have more room to sign other players?

For what it's worth, Ariza's agent (David Lee) thinks Detroit, Portland and Toronto are his main options.
http://bit.ly/bOfjR

[Rob]

What is with everyone going Gaga over Charlie V?? Do you think he is going to help us win? Because I got some news for you....HES NOT! I don't want Charlie V anywhere near the raps locker room again! Same goes for Turk. Overrated IMO. I would take him for the mid-level (which obviously wont happen) but I would not give him anything close to 10 million.

The raps need to resign Marion, bring back Delfino, and hopefully find a solid starting SG with the mid level.

BUT NO CHARLIE V OR TURK!

[Peter]

I don't think Marcus Banks should have to play in the summer league. I mean he's a two-time...oh no wait...but, he was a major contributor to the...no, hold on a second...he won the...nope, that was another guy...but he did...oh, no wait, he didn't.

Yeah, he should probably play in the summer league.

[Blake Kennedy]

Why on earth would we even countenance a sign-and-trade for Hedo Turkoglu for Marion? Not only is Marion close to an ideal fit here to help out for Bargnani's lack of rebounding (something Turkoglu does NOT do, as his weak rebounding percentages readily attest), Turkoglu isn't even as good as Marion, let alone better. He shoots at low percentages and is pretty turnover-prone. I can't understand why people would seriously consider giving him the kind of money he wants ($10 million/year for 5 years) or anything above the MLE. Hell, even the MLE's dicey for big years for that guy.

[Trimz]

Doug,

What do you think of this?

Jose / DeRozan / Turkoglu / Bosh / Bargs

Roko / Delfino / Pops? / Hump / O'Bryant

We are no way deep but its still not that bad looking ... is it not? Somewhere in the mix you put Douby, Banks, and another player or 2 ...

Blogger's note: Better than what they had last year; unworkable most likely unless Orlando wants to pay a huge tax hit eventually to get Marion but an improvement in Toronto. Probably work well in a fantasy league.

[Anderson]

Morning Doug,
Just a quick random question here. What time zone does the NBA opperate under? would a team in California have to have it's free agent issues, for example, all wrapped up by midnight pacific time or atlantic or somwhere in between? Just curious. Keep up the great work!

Blogger's note: Eastern time

[scott]

Why is Pops Mensah-Bonsu their insurance policy? He should be their fifth big man after Bosh, Bargs, Evans and Hump. There is no way that O'Bryant and Jawai, who looked terrible last year, should be keeping him off their roster. I hope they can find some way of alleviating this problem.

[Charles]

Hey Doug: I think Lamar Odom would really look great with the Raps. possibly in a sign and trade with Marion. he would help make up for some of the rebounding problems they have with the killer B's as well as be able to run the offense a little.(few players can effect a game in as many ways as Odom can) like him or not. And I think you would see a big increase in his #'s as having Gasol, Ariza,Bynum and Bryant with the lakers really took away from some of his touches and minutes. is he even on the Raptors radar? would he be a good fit?

Blogger's note: And if you're the defending NBA champions, you want Shawn Marion over Lamar Odom because ...?

[LeeZ]

While far from a charter member of the Charlie V fan club, the man has very high basketball IQ (let me amend that: very high OFFENSIVE basketball IQ, and a couple of years under Skiles saw him actually improve his defence (a bit). But the guy flat out knows his offence. He knows when to fill the lane when his defender helps on one of the other bigs. In his rookie season he consistently did this and received lots of easy buckets courtesy of CB. A starting three of him at SF, Bosh and Bargs would be a treat offensively, because they're all good passers and all can shoot the lights out. The team won't play a lick of defence, but who needs defence when you've got all those offensive weapons? I'm just sayin'...

[N]

I wouldn't mind Charlie V back on the Raps playing as a SF. He does have firepower on offense and can grab a few rbds. On his offdays, we can just rotate him but Charlie V is talented. Turk though I would rather have the Raptors stay away. He is probably going to cost more and I see him as a shorter Bargnani. Marion is a guy who brings a bit more athleticism and can do more things then Turk. If not, Marvin Williams is the guy I would target to fill the SF position.

[O.J.]

Doug,

Wouldn't it make more sense to go after a couple of solid role players (i.e. Jones from Denver and Rasho)for our bench, than chase big names and possibly overpay? Is it likely we could get those two after resigning Marion or doing a sign and trade?

[Del in O-town]

Hi Doug,

Love the Blog...Keep it up!
Can Childress be had for the mid level exception? I believe he is the closest thing to Sean Marion in the NBA.

A wing rotation of Delfino, Parker, Derozan and Childress is a nice mix of youth, athleticism and leadership!

Thoughts?

Blogger's note: Childress was not a starter in the NBA before he went; I'm not sure he is now.

[Nick M]

For all of the CV lovers out there, I hope you are basing your opinion on his entire season not just the games he plays against the Raps. The Raps have a way of making a lot of pretty good guys look really good: see jamal crawford, roger mason, maurice evans, matt carroll, troy murphy the list could go on and on. Hell they evan make Eddie House and Quentin Richardson look good and Rajon Rondo look like Bill Russell.

Stop me before I have nightmares!

[Charles]

Blogger's note: And if you're the defending NBA champions, you want Shawn Marion over Lamar Odom because ...?

oK is this phrasing of my question any more to your liking or is it just worth another snarky remark.
MR.Smith I think Lamar Odom would really look great with the Raps. possibly as a FREE AGENT signing! he would help make up for some of the rebounding problems they have with the killer B's as well as be able to run the offense a little.(few players can effect a game in as many ways as Odom can) like him or not. And I think you would see a big increase in his #'s as having Gasol, Ariza,Bynum and Bryant with the lakers really took away from some of his touches and minutes. is he even on the Raptors radar? would he be a good fit?

Blogger's note: Yes, he would look good. So would about 40 other players virtually impossible to get. If they find $10 million under a tree, they would probably make a call; they won't, so they won't.

[Ryan M.]

Sometimes a player's height and wingspan look great on paper, but I would rather someone who is perhaps slightly undersized, but a competitor who will bring consistent energy and play hungry on the floor and in practice. From the tone of your writing it seems you prefer O'Bryant over Mensa-Bonsu. Is this the case? While it is true that you can't teach size, Pops' game more than compensates for any height advantage O'Bryant has. You've made a good point that neither of them are likely to see heavy minutes, but Pops draws much more energy and enthusiasm from the crowd and his teammates. I have seen no indication that the Raps are investing in O'Bryant longterm, so his youth and "potential" shouldn't weigh into this as you have noted in previous posts. Pops is only 3 years older (26)and has shown more. It's fine if you prefer O'Bryant, but please make a better basketball argument.

Blogger's note: Shown more is entirely subjective; the Raptors, as we've reported dozens of time, see more potential in O'Bryant that, say, you do. And he's taller, longer wingspan, more offensively skilled and, for all his energy, Pops was at best an average defensive rebounder. This is a basketball decision, they've decided that if they're going to have a young kid at the end of the bench, right now they'd rather have the younger, taller, longer O'Bryant. Argue about it all you like, but that's how they feel.

[Sean]

Doug, are the Raptors considering signging any players over in the euro leagues (not Delfino)that could maybe come in and help the Raps the way Anthony Parker & Garbo did?

Blogger's note: I have not heard a single name of substance. They might -- MIGHT -- invite the Printezis kid to summer league but even that doesn't mean a thing for next year.

[jimmie]

This "snark" criticism is ridiculous. If I had to wade through some of the crazy trade proposals, FA acquisitions suggestions, and other generally nonsensical stuff -- much of it repeated over and over again -- submitted by a large proportion of the readership here, I'd have a hard time not teeing off on people as well.

The options for Doug are twofold, and neither one will satisfy everyone: 1) ignore the nonsense and only address reasonable comments that exhibit a decent understanding of what is possible/probable, or 2) answer everything the way he does now, and accept that patience will eventually wear thin and snark is likely to crop up.

Finally, if you're posting comments to a sports blog, and especially if you're not willing to do some research before posting, then you should expect some snark in return. You dish it out, be prepared to take it.

I like Scott Carefoot's writing, but I do find that he's become more and more acerbic and ego-centric since the days before Raptorblog "got famous" by joining The Score network. The "fan" is gone, replaced by a jaded flak just like half the "mainstream" journos out there today. A little self-reflection is warranted.

[LeeZ]

Doug, why no love for Peter? If his post today (re: Banks) isn't worthy of a Ding!Ding!Ding!, then I don't know what is (and this comes from someone who feels the pain of never having received the coveted Doug Smith ding ding ding)

Blogger's note: I know. But I'm at about 400 comments read and posted since the day before the draft and two chats thrown in; my mind is a bit mushy