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.

Comments

[Raps Fan]

Doug, is this line-up better than the Raptors front court players?:
D.Howard, Brass, Lewis, Gortat and Anderson

How much better?

Blogger's note: I guess that's why they'll play the season, to find out. And, luckily, it's not 2-on-2

[Brian]

Well, one down and one to go. I would suspect this should put a stop to the pops train. Thanks for keeping us updated Doug.

[Amuthannanthanisupermaniumsanthakumar]

Honestly Doug, don't cha think the Raps woulda been better off retaining Pops for that front court roll? Both on the court and financially,I believe. The GM has done an outstanding job this off season, but I just believe that he should of used that financial flexibility to add some more toughness to the team.

Blogger's note: No, I don't

[Peter]

A few years ago, nobody wanted to play in Toronto. Now we have a GM in place who is a class act and has shown his desire to win. We used to think that all we needed was a winning team to attract NBA players. We used to hear that the tax situation was so onerous that NBA players would never want to come. This past season was a losing season, yet we were still able to grab the best available free agent in the league in Hedo, and now we hear of another proven winner, Rasho, wanting to, and deciding to come back. Rasho is by no means a saviour, but he has made the post season in every year that he has played in the NBA with the exception of last year. If you're looking for a solid veteran presence on the bench, he's a great fit for that role. Welcome back Rasho!

[sam]

$6M to Jarrett Jack, $4M to Delfino and $2M to Nesterovic.. That's $12M, they could have had a solid NBA starter for that amount, in fact, in this market even an All-star or border-line all-star.

Also, between Andre Miller and Jarret Jack, who'd you wanna have? MIller sems to have got a similar amount from the Blazers but fewer years.

Blogger's note: Except, as you should well know, they couldn't have aggregated those salaries. And Miller got $7 million a year, again more than the Raptors could have legally spent. But it's nice to dream.
Why not put the $12 million and $7 million and go after Kobe?

[Rob]

Welcome back Rasho. Let's NBA!!

[Alessio]

Hey Doug,

With Warrick being renounced in Memphis, any chance the Raptors make a run at him if they can't come to an agreement with Delfino?

Blogger's note: If he settles for a minimum value contract, I'd be shocked.

[Joe]

Terrific news. Great to see Rasho coming back. They still need some depth at the SF position. I presume Delfino fills this void if and when he signs. Looking at the line up:
C: Bargnani, Rasho, O'Bryant
PF: Bosh, Evans
SF: Turkoglu, George
SG: Wright, DeRozan, Douby, Banks
PG: Jose, Jack, Ukic

Is there any way to move Banks for some depth at the PF spot? Is there anyone making around Banks's salary?

[Tim]

Amazing! BC managed to maintain flexibility w/ a 1 year deal!

LETS NBA!!

[Jeff]

Doug... if you had to choose between A.P at 3 mil a year or Delfino at 5 mil a year.... and you chould only take one.. which one would you take??

Blogger's note: Luckily, no one has to make that fantasy choice

[Jeff]

Oh and I hope for yur sake the Delfino gets signed in the next day or two so you can get your full week's vacation!

[Mohammed Jamal]

Odds for a press conference introducing Rasho?

I wan't him to get his due!

Blogger's note: 3-97

[Raptors Fan]

Hey Doug,

Glad to see Rasho back in the fold, and I see there going after delfino.

So is there any chance of Mensah-Bonsu coming back? And what do you think will happen with Joey Graham? And do you think Marcus Banks is tradable? They should keep Bonsu and let Douby go!

Blogger's note: There's all kinds of Pops stuff over the past 10 days or so. Happy reading

[Jason]

I am glad Rasho is Back now the nightmares of O'bryant backing up Bargnaini will be a thing of the past. But now I am REALLY concerned that the 2009/2010 Raptors will be with out the British Bulldog aka Pops Mensah-Bonsu. if he dosent sign with Toronto I hope He ends up on a championship contender like the Lakers or Celtics.

[Craig]

"Is there any way to move Banks for some depth at the PF spot? Is there anyone making around Banks's salary?"

No, dude. There is not a team in the league that will touch Banks. The only reason he is here is because Miami wouldn't take O'Neals contract without unloading Bank's albatross of a salary. But if BC can manage to move Roko (and apparently he is trying) that would free up a spot to retain Pops to help out at the PF.

[Chris]

Doug, do you think the Raps will trade Roko, seeing that they have 2 reliable PGs for the next 4 years. Its not like Roko wants to be that 3rd PG forever. If so, we could then sign Diogu, Petro, or Pops for that matter. Thoughts?

Blogger's note: THink I'm pretty well out there that they shouldn't deal him

[soul]

Will there be a press conference for rasho?

Blogger's note: Doubt it

[azeem]

doug what are the chances of Raptors getting Pops this season

Blogger's note: 4-96

[jim]

Doug,
Did you really think the Wolves would consider hiring Sam while Babcock is the assistant GM?

Blogger's note: Yep

[mark]

Bosh to Bulls for Tyrus Thomas and Kirch Hinrich. Would you do it?

Blogger's note: Nope.

[Matt from Oakville]

Hey Doug,

Any idea where the "LETS NBA!" originated from? Was it Rasho who actually said that?

[trini man]

what u think of this trade...roko and george for the red rocket..salaries match up..and the spurs are loaded with big men and they need a 3rd pg if parker or hill get injured..?

[aditya]

hey doug, i don't say this a lot...but what pops did for this team is what we really need...believe me, pops is what we need for one of the roster spots. but if its between pops/delfino, i am taking delfino, but if there is a way to clear another roster spot, pops is in....for christ's sake, san antonio got pops in for a 10 day contract....watch out for malik hairston in san antonio as well, he a player

[Tim W.]

trini man: "then I would trade roko....I would trade him to the 76 ers"

You think the 76ers want to replace Miller with Roko, a borderline NBA player who would play behind Jrue Holiday and Louis Williams (and any other PG they sign) in a trade for Jason Hart, who isn't even on their roster, or a 6'10, 21 year old who actually got some votes for the All-Rookie team and will probably be one of the better players on the 76ers this year?

[Tim W.]

Sam,

As Doug pointed out, you can't combine the MLE, the bi-annual exception and money being paid a player for which you have Bird Rights. And Jack will be making $5 million, not $6. And that was the most the Raptors could have offered anyone because it was the MLE. Portland, being under the cap, could offer more than the MLE, which they did, by $2 million a season. Do you think Miller would have agreed to take $2 million less in order to back up Calderon?