Andrea's done, anything with Shawn's still bubbling

Okay, so Andrea’s done and everyone’s happy and if that’s news, well, it’s a dang slow news day.

And, as a matter of fact, it is right now.

Highlights of the Bargnani news conference? There weren’t many, actually. It’s five years, $50 million and they did it now for everyone’s peace of mind.

From Andrea:

“Other than the money -- that’s very important for me of course -- but I’m very happy to be here in Toronto. I love the city, I love the fans, I’m happy here. Very satisfied.

“This is what I wanted from the beginning. I love to stay here. Everything went very fast, that’s good also to play for the national team because tomorrow I am going to join my national team.”

That national team gig is to get ready for a final qualification tournament later this summer for September’s European championships.

That was kind of in Bryan Colangelo’s mind, too:

“This was a good time for us, I think it was a good time for them. It gives security to a young man who’s emerging as a good player, a very good player, in this league. There’s something to be said for not having a “maximum” number next to your name, it takes a little bit of the pressure off.”

Oh, and in other news …

This may give us an idea why things seem to be taking a while to sort out this whole Shawn Marion-to-Dallas sign-and-trade thing.

According to league sources, the deal is being driving by Mavs owner Mark Cuban, it may include not only three teams but even more and the Raptors are simply bystanders waiting to see if they can help facilitate anything.

There’s no real firm deadline but I can’t imagine too many parties are going to sit back and wait too long before someone says, “enough is enough.” I figure something has to get resolved tonight.

And the one undisputed fact remains: The Raptors, no matter what happens, come out of this “salary neutral” and it does nothing to complicate the Hedo Turkoglu signing, which will happen sometime soon.

There are also scant details about what an enlarged deal could possibly mean but that’s what makes this kind of fun, isn’t it? We have an idea something’s being cooked up at the top levels of a handful of NBA teams but the dribs and drabs of information keep everyone wondering for hours or maybe days.

Anyway, we’ll let you know when we can let you know what it’s all about but that’s where we stand about 4 p.m.

Comments

[dallas]

Doug,

Thoughts on the signing?

Blogger's note: Check this morning

[Ray R]

Dooouuugggyyyy... ready to see BC secure that trade exception we debated yet??? Otis better be his phone when BC calls him up! IF BC pulls off the two step plan, he will be a GENIOUS.

[Smoothfan]

Doug,
Long time reader of your blog, and been reading it several times per day this week, thanks for the great info you're doing a great job. Hopefully we can get rid of Marion/Banks and get our team back on track. Will wait for more info from you for some real discussion.

[coachd]

Hi Doug,
Which brings up an interesting question. What deal in NBA history has had the most teams involved in it?
Thanks.

[Pete]

Thanks for the update Doug! Your blog is the best source for up to date, SOLID, Raptors news. Much appreciated by this Raps fan.

[Raymond C]

If the Raptors come out 'salary neutral', does that mean this in no way helps them resign their own free agents (i.e. Parker, Delfino, etc.)?

Blogger's note: You mean the ones they'll have to renounce to do Turkoglu? No, it won't help at all

[Nolan Kerr]

Thanks for keeping us informed Doug! You keep writing and we'll keep reading!

[JR]

The only worry I have with the super-mega-multi team deal that may (or may not) be cooking is the fact that all of the amateur GM/Capologists out there will be filling your comment box with "I told you so's" if something crazy and convoluted winds up happening/helping the Raps. If that turns out to be the case, I recommend a 5-7 day vacation away from the internet so you won't have to read everything.

[jamie]

on a completely unrelated note. I hope that Chris Bosh is spending some time with his young daughter this off-season. He seems always real busy tweeting about being in Spain, and going to Video awards, trying to get to 40k followers, playing Halo on X-Box, and working on his Apple TV, and lots of other great fun interesting stuff. and i hope just really hope he is finding the time inbetween to spend time with his kid. if not it would really be unfortunate.

[jesse]

Will the Raptors make this deal with Shawn even if they don't acquire additional financial flexibility and/or draft picks?

[joey]

Ray R that was classic. lmao
"IF BC pulls off the two step plan, he will be a {GENIOUS}."

[Ray R]

Bargs signing = great move. FA's are about to get PAID next year, and there will be about a dozen teams who lose out on the 'big fish' that would in turn, offer Bargs a stupid rich contract (even a max deal) had BC let him become a restricted FA... that would have forced BC to make a really hard decision, so what does he do? Lock Bargs up at a reasonable number right now. Beauty. (PS - Bargs is bound to benefit with Hedo... he has to!)

[jc]

That's fantastic, "GENIOUS" made my day!

[Ray R]

I never said that I was a geniOus, only BC. :)

I really should proof read before I click submit, huh? Otherwise I end up looking STOPID, and you all laugh... *sniffle*. :)

[mark]

Any word from the Raptors camp about what Bargnani is doing to get himself ready for the next season, other than play for his national team? I think he could stand to bulk up a bit.

Blogger's note: Didn't come up

[DC]

Doug,
Does Dallas have a GM, or is Cuban it? (if they do have a GM, what the heck does the guy do?)

Blogger's note: Mark's got final say; Donnie Nelson's the president/GM

[DC]

Doug,
Does Dallas have a GM, or is Cuban it? (if they do have a separate GM, what the heck does the guy do?)

[CKH, U.K.]

Is Banks part of the Marion deal?

Blogger's note: We'll find out when the deal's done; I urge caution at this moment

[Michael]

I had doubts on BC before but now I think he's doing great. Now we have Hedo, Bargs, Calderon secure for years and they've a great prospect in DD. If they do lose Bosh after next season, it's not in panic mode. They still have solid core and they can use Bosh's money to sign someone else. Amare is a free agents too.

I think they will be good this coming season and BC is not done on his moves yet too.

[Matthew]

Hey dough, Is there any possibility we can lock up either Parker and or Delfino ?

[Brad D]

Hey Doug, thanks for keeping us up to date. Its nice to have a place like this to check when something happens for real

[yahweh]

CoachD,

In response to your question about the most teams invovled in a trade. I'm not sure, but in 2005 the Heat were involved in a 5 team deal in which they recieved Antone Walker from Boston. The Grizzlies, New Orleans, and Utah Jazz were the other 3 teams invovled. 13 players in all were moved, including Eddie Jones, Jason Williams, and Greg Ostertag. I can't imagine a larger trade than that, but who knows!

[Paul]

Here's a link to a new Stein article.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4314637

Blogger's note: At this moment, I urge caution

[Mando]

I watched the interviews regarding Andrea's signing, so I hope that all the Torntonians withe poor self image are ecouraged by Andrea's comments about the city.
My second question, do your sportswriting cohorts take lessons on the innumerable ways to rephrase the same question? It's a wonder some of the athletes don't smack some of them.

[Mando]

I apologize for my typo on "Torontonian".