Rasho's deal is done
Rasho Nesterovic is coming back to his adopted hometown.
The veteran centre, who spent two seasons with the Raptors before being traded to Indiana a year ago, has agreed in principle to a one-year deal worth about $1.9 million (all figures US), the so-called biannual exception to the NBA’s salary cap.
The move comes as little surprise since president and general manager Bryan Colangelo has long held that the 33-year-old 7-footer is exactly the kind of solid veteran the team covets in a second unit role.
The deal also works financially for the Raptors, who retain any financial flexibility they will have at the end of next season.
Nesterovic, who maintained a home in Toronto despite playing in Indiana last year, averaged 6.8 points and 3.4 rebounds a game with the Pacers, starting 19 of the 70 games he appeared in last season.
Coveted by a handful of European teams, Nesterovic made it no secret he wanted to return to the Raptors. He said in an interview a couple of weeks ago that he never wanted to leave but that he understood the business aspects of the NBA that necessitated his inclusion in the trade for Jermaine O’Neal.
His role in Toronto is clear: He will be the backup centre behind Andrea Bargnani and now with he, Bargnani, Chris Bosh, Reggie Evans and Patrick O’Bryant, the Raptors are pretty well set in the front court.
Colangelo has one roster spot left to fill and negotiations continue with former Raptor Carlos Delfino.
Pity the 09-10' season doesn't start for 3 more months
Posted by: Ishaq Dossul | July 24, 2009 at 07:05 PM
It's good that we got Rasho, but don't you think we need more bangers & gritty guys in our front line. I mean Patrick O'Bryant shouldn't even be on the team, we need someone like a Johan Petro, or get back our 17th pick back, Roy Hibbert!
Posted by: Conrad | July 24, 2009 at 07:07 PM
Welcome Back Rasho!
Posted by: Keenan | July 24, 2009 at 07:20 PM
I feel better about him joining the Raptors the second time around. He's much cheaper and is slotted to be a backup, rather than a starter. I like the one year deal, too. The Raptors now have 5 expiring contracts.
VERY early on in the race, I think the Executive of the Year award is between Colangelo and R.C Buford/Popovich.
Coming in dead last? Danny Ferry, who has not kept up with the moves the other contenders have made. Okay, maybe Chris Wallace will be dead last, but that's pretty much a given. At least they apparently gave up their pursuit of Iverson. Although that would have been a trainwreck I would have loved to have seen. Him and Zach Randolph on the same team. Wow!
Posted by: Tim W. | July 24, 2009 at 07:24 PM
This is great news. Any sightings of Raptor members at Glen Abbey?
Blogger's note: Couldn't see 'em through the rain drops; was going to buy and umbrella but the twirling guy wanted $200 for it
Posted by: chops | July 24, 2009 at 07:33 PM
Welcome back home Rasho! What options are there besides Delfino at this point?
Blogger's note: Check out a free agent list, they're all options
Posted by: William | July 24, 2009 at 07:45 PM
What are the odds that the raptors don't bring back Delfino, instead opting to sign another player to a veteran minimum contract for a year?
Blogger's note: 35-65
Posted by: Ben Edelshteyn | July 24, 2009 at 07:46 PM
doug, what are your sources?
because you are the only one who reported it so far
Blogger's note: Apparently good ones
Posted by: john shah | July 24, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Any idea how many year BC prefers to sign Carlos Delfino for? I think a one year 5mill deal would make alot of sense to get the most out of him. But I have no clue what the money/cap situation is.
Blogger's note: In a perfect world, one
Posted by: Dell | July 24, 2009 at 07:56 PM
wow GREAT signing......I LOVE IT....now i think they should resign delfino for no more than 4 million although I think that its 2 million more than he deserves....then I would trade roko....I would trade him to the 76 ers....with the loss of miller they are in need of a pg....in a perfect world and if bryan is a good they will get Marreese Speights but I would settle for jason hart...he is a 7 footer than shows some promise and would help us(knock on wood) ik rasho or andrea are injured for an extented period....what do you think doug?
Blogger's note: Come on. Really. Roko for Marreese Speights? Please
Posted by: trini man | July 24, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Congrats on breaking the story! did your boy Rasho call you to you give you the news? lol j/k
Great work Doug, your on top of your game!
Posted by: Dell | July 24, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Nice. Thanks for the update.
Posted by: GM | July 24, 2009 at 08:05 PM
Great news, hardly a suprise indeed, but I love to see Rasho return to the Raptors, and love to see how finding this news here proves again why I keep returning to this little gem of yours on the web as often as I can.
Posted by: Break | July 24, 2009 at 08:08 PM
Nice to have a solid role player who will handle the minutes issue professionally.
Posted by: Kevin | July 24, 2009 at 08:22 PM
Perfect news! This summer has been a rash(o) of better & better news. Rasho is the only guy out there who has an (albeit slim) chance of slowing down Howard & Shaq...and helping out Bosh with Garnett. IMO it was more important to sign Rasho than Delfino.
Doug, my question is,
"Could you arrange for the NBA season to start in August this year?" Cuz I can't wait!
Posted by: dug | July 24, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Its great to see Rasho comeback and backup Barney! As for Delfino, if he's still asking for the moon, they should just tell him to take a hike, and get Linas Kleiza instead!
Posted by: Erik Reitav | July 24, 2009 at 08:31 PM
Finally!! It's nice to see Rasho return. Hopefully Patty O'Bryant can learn a thing or two from him.. on a side note, how was the golf today?
Blogger's note: Wet. Delayed. And wetter
Posted by: Nick | July 24, 2009 at 08:39 PM
I'm happy to see Rasho back. He's a bargain at $1.9 million.
Posted by: Danny | July 24, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Class act for sure. If he doesn't contribute on the court (which I still think he will, high basketball IQ to say the least!), he will at least be a good locker room guy who will command the respect of the rest of the dressing room. Based on price paid, I think it's safe to chalk up as another great deal.
Hey Doug, did you hear about the recent European interview that Delfino did saying how he is still hoping to play in Toronto? Word is he also mentioned being close friends with Calderon and Toronto being a much better scenario than his stint in Detroit. Maybe a sign the negotiations are getting better?
Blogger's note: He and Jose are tight; and I put as much stock in that interview as I do the one a week or so ago that said he wasn't coming back
Posted by: Caleb | July 24, 2009 at 08:41 PM
The deals for 1-year which is good in case the cap drops a lot next year.
Maybe then they can trade Banks who will then only have 1 more year left on his contract for a backup big with a longer contract to replace Rasho.
Plus, Rasho's a good guy and played well for us when we threw him in there.
I'd still like to have a more athletic big though, but for $1.99m/season, you can't really complain, it's not like we got Jamario Moon or something! LOL
Posted by: Noslak | July 24, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Finally, this is great news. I thought the biannual exception was for two years but Rasho only signed for one?
Posted by: M.A | July 24, 2009 at 08:44 PM
hey Doug I got this off wikipedia. 2 things!
according to wikipedia Delfino is one of the highest paid basketball players in Europe, earning about $10 million US dollars per season, plus a house, a car and a driver, and savings on taxes.. He averaged 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
1. 10 mill a house no taxes? no way thats true is it?
2. also he averaged 9ppg and 4.4 REB's in 23 mpg for Toronto, and only 13 and 3.6 REB's in Europe. What is up w/ that?
Posted by: Charles | July 24, 2009 at 08:46 PM
YAAYY! Raps have they're reliable back up big man again :)
Posted by: Jimmy | July 24, 2009 at 09:02 PM
I guess this isn't worthy of a 'BREAKING NEWS:' subject?
Posted by: Andrew | July 24, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Excellent news! Rasho will help on and off the court, very glad to get him back for a year. Way to go BC!
Posted by: Lorne | July 24, 2009 at 09:20 PM