Of trades and some Magical shooting

Looks like, for a day at least, we’ve got ourselves a series.

Of course, the Magic had to shoot like they’ve never shot before and the Lakers had to channel Shaq at the free throw line for it to happen but it’s 2-1 and until Game 4 is in the books we can all hope for something sweet to develop out of this.

The locals? Well, the locals were busy, which threw a big wrench into my plans for an afternoon on the couch but if you wanted Raptors news, you sure got it yesterday.

And seeing how quickly that came up, who knows if there might not be more on the horizon.

If there is, we’ll be there.

For now, we’re here. And here it is:

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TANNIS TOOHEY/TORONTO STAR

Reggie Evans and Kris Humphries will continue their battle and decide the first big off the bench for the Raptors next season.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Here’s how the money for the summer works, and be mindful that none of the figures are precise because no one – not even the teams – knows the exact salary cap level until the league beancounters get through surfing the books in the first week of July.

If the Raptors renounce every free agent they have – Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, Joey Graham, Pops Mensa-Bonsu and Carlos Delfino – they should have right around $8.9 million to spend.

If they don’t exercise the options they have on Patrick O’Bryant and Quincy Douby, that number bumps up to about $10.1 million.

So, here’s the deal and the question facing Bryan: Do you want that money to spend -- likely on one significant free agent -- and have no shot at bringing back any of your guys or even signing-and-trading them while filling out the roster with minimum salary players and your draft pick while not having the mid-level salary exception to spend because you’re under the cap?

Or do you want the option to do sign-and-trades, maybe keep a Parker or Marion and have the mid-level as well as the draft pick?

I’ll tell you one thing: If he opts for the first, he’d better be sure that one big free agent is going to come because the prospect of sitting around with a bucket full of money and no one to give it to while your roster needs help is ugly.

And who is that free agent? Could, or would, he make a run at Hedo Turkoglu on the off-chance he could get him? Is Lamar Odom worth the gamble and would he listen if Bryan called? Ben Gordon worth it? Or Ariza? Boozer?

If I’m Bryan, and judging by my paycheck and fashion style I’m certainly not, I don’t renounce anyone to keep my options open, I hope I can find a good sign-and-trade for Marion if he won’t take $7 million a year to start on maybe a three-year deal and I hang on to the mid-level exception because I think there are going to be some relative bargains out there this summer.

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My man Phil in Philadelphia caught up with Jason – I’ll give it a shot today – and writes his trade story this way.

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One from the mail:

Q: Raptors acquire toughness and rebounding, beat grunts lose a good quote. Knowing you will cover the basketball skills I am curious as to how Evans compares to Kapono for personality?

Ed S, Hamilton

A: My man Phil, along with another friend in the business who knows Evans quite well says he’s a friendly guy, really nice off the court, not a great quote but a solid one.

His nickname’s the Joker, which can’t be a bad thing, I guess. But if we cross him, I’d be a bit worried that one of his best friends in the world is apparently Roy Jones Jr.

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Speaking of the Finals, I have one question to ask: Why in the world did the Magic trot out Nick Anderson to try to pump up the crowd before the game?

Nick Anderson, by all accounts, is a very, very nice guy who does a tremendous job in community relations with Orlando and had a nice career down there.

But Nick Anderson and the NBA Finals?

Yeesh.

Remember, it was his four bricked free throws that cost the Magic the first game of the last Finals they were in, shots that reverberated around the franchise for more than a decade, misses that made Anderson’s life a living hell.

To put him in the pre-game spotlight? That was a gamble.

Guess it paid off, though; Kobe and the Lakers shot free throws like he did that fateful night.

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Stan-ism of the night.

Hey, coach, how’d you get Rafer going so well:

“I'm a motivational genius, that's what I am. I thought for two days about what to say to him, and I said, ‘play your game.’ You can write that down. That’s a quote. It took me two days to come up with that.”

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Oh yeah, the trade.

What’s it mean for the rest of the Raptors bigs?

Bryan made it very clear yesterday – and you know he’d have spoken to Jay about this – that Kris Humphries and Reggie Evans are going to fight it out to be the first big off the bench behind Bosh and Bargnani. I have no idea who’d win that fight, I presume Evans because he’s a better rebounder and tougher post defender.

Bryan also suggested that they’d keep Patrick O’Bryant because he’s intriguing but I figure he’s a 12th, 13th, maybe 14th guy on the roster.

The GM didn’t say it out loud but every indication is – as it’s been since the day after the season ended – that there is no room for The Legend, which is something I’m quite fine with. The trouble? Toronto’s still smallish off the bench with its bigs.if it’s Evans and Hump, which is why I’m hearing they remain entirely interested in Rasho.

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Oh yeah, the Finals.

The Magic have now shot the highest percentage in an NBA Finals game, 62 per cent last night; and the second lowest percentage in an NBA Finals game, 29 per cent in Game 1.

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Oh yeah, the Raptors.

(Sense a trend here?)

Forget all about any reports you read coming out of Europe about Giorgos Printezis.

There are no plans at the moment to have him as much as come to training camp let alone any kind of contract offer.

And talking to people who actually saw him in person at the European Final Four, he’s years and years and years away from being able to play at the NBA level.

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Oh yeah, the Finals.

A Phil quip? An oddity, but …

Hey, coach, how come your bigs had such low rebounding numbers?

“What kind of rebounds are they going to get?”

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Speaking of …. ah never mind

So, all in all, what about the trade? As I’ve mentioned, it’s good, not spectacular, maybe not even great, but a good one.

Evans obviously ups the toughness quotient around here and that was one of the team’s glaring weaknesses last season and something Bryan was adamant about addressing.

Now, Evans is not a saviour, he’s a career 52.5 per cent free-throw shooter so he can’t be on the court down the stretch of a close games but he’s an upgrade.

Jason obviously never fit in particularly well here, blame for that can be shared between him and the men he was coached by, and I’m sure someone will emerge to fill that three-point shooting void. Perhaps AP in some return role? Maybe Delfino?

This deal was one of a few I think we’re going to see this summer and as a first one, I think everyone can be happy with it. Not drive up and down Yonge Street honking your horns happy – this isn’t like winning Game 1 of the first round of the Pucks Playoffs or anything – but happy nonetheless.

Comments

[chris]

with the MLE the best they can do is add another mediocre player. We're stuffed full of those, and as much as i like delfino and parker neither is starter-caliber....so why add salary (and reduce our ability to sign a big free agent if Bosh leaves in 2010) to keep them?

[derek]

I wonder what this trade will do to the comfort of Roko. Jason always seemed to be an on and off court mentor to him. I know these guys are professionals but we've seen the effect of having someone mentor a youngster before, garbo with calderon to name one.
I hope Roko isn't effected too badly with this....

[Dallas]

Good Morning Doug,

About BC's options: If he does go with option 1 and looks to clear the books and renounce for capspace, if Bosh was to just walk at the end of the season, we would have his full contract value to be a player in 2010 free agency. If we go the other route, if he left for nothing we would not get full cap relief for his contract, only a portion of it. BC has been steadfast in that Bosh will either re-sign, be traded, or S&T, I haven't heard letting him walk as being one of the options, only the worst case scenario. And if you go with option 2 the worst case scenario is a lot worse. I think BC is looking towards option 2.

Also it just seems with option 2 you have much more tools at your disposal. So much hinges on Marion. If we can sign Marion, or S&T Marion, we'll get him or returns, plus MLE, LLE and draft pick. If we go FA route, we lose the MLE and still have to replace what we losing with Marion, Delfino, Parker and Douby.
BC said in his mind a 15 man roster is 6 bigs 6 wings and 3 pgs. Right now we look okay for bigs, in the wheelhouse as far as guards (probably could still use an upgrade for backup guard), but way shallow on wing. Option 1 would essential clear the lot and we'd only have draft pick(s) and Cap space or trades. People have written that Bosh will may stay if Marion stays because they get along he enjoys playing with him, but you could perhaps look at it and say, If Marion does not stay, is BC forced to make a fairly major move to get the pieces he needs to try to put a better team on the floor next year?

I mean, if we are going to go into next year with a weak and shallow lineup lacking with a lack of proven players on the wing, are we not better off just trading Bosh now? I mean after a year with those conditions, you'd have to figure you were going to lose him anyway.

Is trading Bosh the kind of thing BC has to get the board’s approval on?

Thanks

Blogger's note: No, and no, they are not better off trading a 25-year-old, four-time all-star who averages 22 and 10 and who was the best player on a division championship team just two seasons ago.

[Sean Peacocke]

Quick Question Doug,

With you contacts with the raptors organization, what are the chances of the Raps going over the salary cap? or the luxary cap? (Or do they always go right up to the luxary tax level?)

Blogger's note: As Bryan has said since the middle of last season, if a situation arises where he thinks one move that puts them over the cap will put them over the top, he'd take it to the board and, I believe, he's persuasive enough to get it done. But that situation has not arisen yet.

[aditya]

liked your blog today....little more than the usual

[Eric]

I think it's a fine trade. A good start. With the pieces they have, they've only proven that they couldn't get anything out of Kapono so you move him. I'm sure better leaders could get more out of Jason but it's a moot point now.

Evans is ok, his contract is better and he should only go to show fans that you shouldn't believe ol' Douglas, the same Douglas who just days ago was telling the Toronto faithful that the frontcourt (with his pal Rasho) is full....... probably in an effort to get his pal Anthony re-signed (and/or Pops not re-signed). Trading a wing for Reggie helps substantiate that Dougie forms his opinions on bias ahead of all else.

As we asked the other day, "Pray tell Dougie, HOw does this team get tougher and rebound better if they don't touch their soft frontcourt (other than bring back a big who was here when the team was equally soft) while allowing arguably the best rebounding wing in the league to walk?" (By the way, why were you talking about signing your friend Rasho back in March- if the fans had done that, you would've told them to be patient and ignored their questions about that happening since it would constitute tampering for Bryan to say anything publicly to that effect.)

Thankfully it appears that Mr. Colangelo is not as interested in simply bringing back the friends of Toronto beat writers. Instead, there is a soft 33-win team to improve.

Two things in your blog today, Dougie, that deserve mention: "(This trade is) maybe not even great"- interesting choice of words, huh? Why WOULD it be "great"? Does that imply that you think everything this 33-win team does is great by default, and that you have to emphasize the off-chance that something may not be? Thanks, Mr. Obvious. I'm glad to see you're coming off the bandwagon now. :)

"(Rebounding/toughness=) Glaring weaknesses"- I'm not sure you've used those words before, my friend, specificallly "Glaring". Only when Colangelo makes a move to address them, I guess. Chameleon behaviour. Interesting!

All in all, this is not a trade about our friendly neighbourhood sports writer. I think the move will help the team. I'm encouraged that Colangelo is not settling for the status quo. Go Raptors!

Blogger's note: Are you going on vacation soon, I can't this same old tripe every day.

[Kelsie]

I agree Doug we can be happy about it but once again it seems like it's righting a wrong and the wrong was to run out the first day of free agecny that year and sign Kapono to that deal in the first place.

Obviusly we don't know the cap numbers but do you think we have enough in the vault to re-up Marion, resign Parker, and also bring back Delfino, Nesto and Graham? If he can do it the roster is better than it was last year with the addition of a rookie that can help you but does the money we have (or would have) under the cap allow for that realistically?

Still no word on draft work-outs and who's coming this week? Sorry to keep asking but thats the last major thing I have to look forward to until training camp.

Blogger's note: Draft workouts were announced yesterday, Ty Lawson and Earl Clark the most interesting this morning; and they can do all those moves but I don't imagine they have any interest in bringing Joey back right now. That could change but every indication I'm getting is they let him walk

[Nick]

Turkoglu, Ariza and Odom: wouldn't it be safe to assume that all these guys will be re-signing with their current team again? One guy (or two) will be getting a ring, I'm sure he (or they) would want to defend it as well (see Posey). As for the other guy (or guys) who would come up short, would want to get back to Finals the year after, right?
I wouldn't count on those three to go else where.

[Andrew P]

When does the trade deadline get nullified?
Is it as soon as the regular season ends, and your team is ousted from the playoffs?

Blogger's note: For non-playoff teams, it's the end of the regular season; the others can start making trades after they are eliminated

[Erc]

Congrats Doug. You CAN change. Yesterday you told a reader that there 'will not be trades, at least not soon' today you opine that 'there may be more on the horizon', which I believe would be much the same as 'soon'.
BC is changing the culture of this team and since you and I and BC all agree, it has to be good.
Of course, more has to happen. Hump's got to go. You said keeping him ahead of Pops made sense since he was 'bigger and younger'. Using that as a criterea, POB has to stay instead of Hump, eh?
Sadly, AP probably should head down the road as well. He has been a good player, one of the keys in restoring respectability to the Raptors, until last season. He looks like he's lost a step defensively and he's Delfino-type erratic. Don't believe he can provide the type of up-graded wing play Toronto needs at this stage of his career.
He is NOT the veteran leader-type this team needs. He hasn't played on a top NBA team. He did not change the lacklustre effort put forth by this team last year. He would be a great fit late in the rotation of a good team, where he can play some minutes on the nights he has it, and sit when he doesn't. A solid citizen like AP would not upset the chemistry of a good team, either, which is important.
The chemistry of the Toronto Raptors NEEDS upsetting -- badly. Hope Evans can inspire some fear and respect in his teammates -- never mind opponents.
The complete changeover of this no-heart bunch may require cutting out one piece of the core -- CB, AB, Jose. Bargnani is pretty much untouchable at this stage. It would depend upon returns and finances, but one of the other two may go and maybe they have too. The cancer last year was deep-rooted and skin grafts may not be the entire cure.
Glad to see you lobbying for Joey staying. He and AB were the only Raps to improve last year, which tells us pretty much how the rest of the roster fared. He is our only hard-nosed player. Still inconsistent, but improving. If they can make the money work, he should be back.
Great to be on the same page as you are, brother. I feel better already and I'm sure LeeZ is esctatic. Tabber, I'm cutting Doug in as a minority shareholder of 'my' team. Hope that's OK with you.

Blogger's note: Again, your reading comprehension sklls are, um, lacking. You need to find anywhere, any time that I was "lobbying for Joey staying." But why let something as mundane as an oft-stated opinion that his time here is done get in the way your tiresome points.

[Oliver]

I agree Doug. "Someone will emerge to fill that three-point shooting void" Three of four 3's a month. Roko should be able to handle it.
What about the patented pump-fake travel void or ugly looking running teardrop void.

[k.e. slickke]

In all the talk of JK's 3point prowess, let's not forget that the Raptor's perimeter defence was awful. Obviously JK was a part of that problem and I, for one, will not miss his unathletic, uninvolved D.

[Christian Mijatovic]

how is it that Mr.Marion's contract is coming off the books for about 17 810 000.00 and we have not more then 10 mil to spend?

Blogger's note: Raises to other people mainly

[Tim W.]

The only free agent you mentioned I would renounce all those free agents for might be Ariza, and that's assuming he continues to develop. Turkoglu and Odom are too inconsistent, Ben Gordon is going to kill your team as much as help it, unless he learns he can pass, as well, and play defense. And Boozer would only be a good addition if the Raptors traded Bosh, since they play the same position. Ariza isn't as good as a lot of fans seem to think, but he's 23, has a chance to be one of the league's top defenders, and has shown the willingness and ability to improve his game. I don't particularly want any free agent I renounce everyone for to start declining the moment he signs.

[Juan]

Doug
Have there been any incidents or history of bad blood between Evans and any of the current Raptors?

Blogger's note: Yeah, there was the night when he was with Denver that Evans put his foot under Bosh as he was finishing a jumper; it will have no impact whatsoever on their relationship as teammates.

[SY]

Not too fond of the JK for Evans move. If B.C. is going to bring Rasho in, we have a logjam at the frontcourt - not very efficient use of resources.

I still think we can use JK + (Graham or Humphries) + draft for Camby. Having veterans like Camby and Parker as our second unit is really different from Evan/Rasho/Parker. w/ Camby, teams need to think twice before driving to the rim. We also need a center of Camby's caliber to go against the toughness of Dwight and Davis of the East elite teams.

Just my 2 cents.

-SY

[Mervis James]

Raps fans The trade is good. JK is a great guy and one of the best shooters I have ever seen. But he never ummm shoots. and as for Evans well at least should know his role on the team. and he should bring an element of toughness that is lacking on this team. but lets not get to excited for a guy that's going to be lucky to avg 20 mins a game.

[Stickhandle]

I like the trade. Toughness is a need - this a hockey town - a banger like Evans will be very popular. Hope Jay finds a way to "use" him properly. Building the right scheme around the guys on the floor has been a Raptor weakness. Nothing much against JK, but i don't really feel good or bad about his exit. Just nothing. His 9 ppg and D are both totally replaceable. What he represents to the "scheme" is not much. As the 3pt threat, he wasn't very threatening. Obviously this wasn't part of the plan when JK came to town -- he of the vaunted 3-pt avg. Bottom line though - open shots come off penetration. The Raps don't penetrate well. Haven't since Vince *ahem* was "traded". So ... all in all, a nothing trade. All the blather about more toughness, Delfino and Rasho returning, Joey going, sign-n-trade Marion, Pops into HoF, etc ... none of it really matters until we address the REAL NEED for this team - a 2/3 that can penetrate. Doug - I'm pretty sure your need for stories/news prevents your full compliance ... but in your beating purple-heart, a few pints in, i'm pretty sure you'd agree.

[PB]

Doug,
Do you think it is time for Eric to move out of his parents basement and stop analysing every word you ever said like you were William Freakin Shakespeare. Players change and peoples perceptions of players change. It is never set in stone. Keep up the great work Doug.

[Zack]

Does Eric have nothing better to do then write Doug scary love letters all day? Eric, for a guy you don't seem to like, you sure spend an awful lot of time analyzing Mr. Smith's blogs and articles. Why don't you go out and look for a job? Perhaps get a hobby or maybe even start playing basketball! But honestly, leave Doug alone. The guy takes time out of his morning to write up an insightful, opinionated blog and you come on here and waste everyone's time with your snarky comments. Thanks for the info Doug, don't let these types of people get you down.

[fg]

Hey readers,
Doug give Eric a break he has some good points...
glad you answered the question on the 17 mil off books from marion and the raps still even if they sign marion for 7 mil have nothing much to spend. but i guess thats how it is.

i hope the raps get marion for less then 7 mil a year and a short term contract. anything long term would be killer for an aging player.

I still beleive the raps need an upgrade at the two guard spot, delfino is good, but i was hoping for a more established starter. im not sure there are any out there for the mid level...
and the draft pick is great, but all draft picks take years to grow, and there is no immediate answer in the draft. just good players to develop for the future.

[Erc]

What's truly tiresome is this past Raptor's season, at least for anyone not being paid to watch it.
Yes, it has been your oft-stated position that Joey must go. THAT'S what's been plaguing this team -- that Graham character. Heady, well-thought-out analysis.

[Thane]

Two questions about the salary cap and renouncing and such (and feel free to move it to the mailbag, if you prefer).

i) Does renouncing have to take place by a certain point? Or could they leave the players unrenounced, and then if they get close to signing Turkolu or somebody, renounce them at that point?

ii) If they arn't over the cap now, they don't get the mid-level now. But what if they spend that free agent money? Would the mid-level reappear once they're at cap?

Thanks!

Blogger's note: To the mailbag it goes, thanks

[Nick]

Doug,

I am sure you feel you need to post critical opinions in order to show you are a balanced reporter, but the venomous posts (hey Eric! Looking at you pal!) are lame and are just a waste. Ignore them.

[Paul]

Hi Doug,
Can you clarify: "If the Raptors renounce every free agent they have – Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, Joey Graham, Pops Mensa-Bonsu and Carlos Delfino – they should have right around $8.9 million to spend."
I think I may have mis-understood some of the finer points of the CBA, but I thought that the Raptors retained the Bird rights for Marion and Parker without any cap commitment. Meaning, they could sign someone for up to the $8.9 mil, then exercise their Bird rights to retain either or both of these players.
Can you educate me (and maybe others) on this part of the CBA?
Thanks.

Blogger's note: Not if they renounce them