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

[Arthur]

I think we should make a push for Linas Kleiza

[Onel]

Rasho and Delfino is not going to help us keep up cavs bos and orld (save the cash). we need a banger at the 5, and a 2 guard that can take it to hole and defend. (matt Barns,A.I,Marquis Daniels,Big baby....lets mix it up with usa players)

[scott]

thanks doug and nice seinfeld twirling reference in there too! 30 Rock is my favourite show but one just can't sub-reference it like jerry's big show.

Blogger's note: 30 Rock is outstanding.

[Ian Sharp]

Great signing. Rasho is one class act. Look elsewhere other than Delfino.

[Steph]

$200 buck for an umbrella. I might have called him out a little more then you did.

[dc]

rasdo turkovic

[danno]

doug, i understand the tax implications with regards to signing delfino and that he is restricted, but in all honesty, he produced more with the raptors because his minutes went up, there is no way this guy is worth 4-5 million on a top tier nba team.

Why wouldn't the raps go after a younger version with similar stats like a rodney carney or rashad mccants? Great Blog! Enjoy your holidays next week.

Blogger's note: One thing to remember: They have nothing more than a minimum value contract to offer anyone but Delfino

[TJ]

Umbrella eh? By any chance was he spinning it or twirlling it to cat h your eye?
Doug, another great reference, kudos.
It's like this everyday in Puerta Rico;)
Rasho, welcome back

[gotgame]

This is a great deal. Veteran leadership is very underrated and Rasho gives us a lot of that. Very few people remember that Hedo is also close with Rasho from his days at San Antonio and I think this move solidifies the locker room as much as it does the front court for the Raps this coming season.

I am much more optimistic about the team now after all these moves than I was at the end of the season. Its good to be excited about the team again. Gotta love the fact that the second unit brings toughness with Jack, Douby, Evans, and a stabilizer in Rasho ... hopefully this makes the practices intense and it follows suit in the games.

[stephen]

doug- i want to add my voice to the chorus of angels that sing your godly praises: this blog is awesome, and my first stop on the web every morning. Seems like BC has decided to make a big splash this summer while everyone else is banking on next year, while still retaining the position of a power player in 2010 with expiring contracts and bosh as a keeper/sign and trade. really amazing. doesn't seem like many people are looking past 2010, and i'm really wondering where the dust will settle. i know the crystal ball is too murky for specifics about where you see players landing, but in general, is it much ado about nothing (everyone stays where they are) or do you expect that year to reshape the nba?

Blogger's note: I've long thought next summer would be far more boring than many expected; I believe I will be proved correct

[ade]

hi doug, as always great blog i was just wondering with Hakim Warrick now being an unrestricted free agent do the raps have any interest. he is young, long can play some d and would be a good energy bench player for the team

Blogger's note: Probably, but I don't imagine they have the money to get it done. I don't see him settling for a minimum value contract

[Carlton]

Do you think jay will give quincy douby playing time based on summer league?

Blogger's note: No, he'll have to earn it in camp; summer league's summer league

[Mike]

I'd like to try and answer a common question myself. Many of you are asking why would Delfino want to come back to the NBA if he was making 8 million over the next 2 years in Russia.

Well the answer is in the question: Because it's in Russia.

Now I don't want to slam Russia, I'm sure it's nice. But when an NBA player goes on a road trip he goes to places like L.A., Miami and New York. I'm pretty sure none of those places are on Delfino's travel schedule for Khimki.

[Charles]

Hey Doug.
If Delfino and the Raptors can't come to terms on a deal. Can BC use the 900k left from the MLE combined with the the veteran minimum to offer a guy like Hakim Warrick, Flip Murray, Ime Udoka, leon Powe, Mancinelli, Desmond Mason, or anyone else a slightly better than minimum contract? thanks!

Blogger's note: No, you can't combine

[Imran Pirani]

Oh great, we have our silent comedian back. Here is an interesting question. Assuming Roko is the 3rd string point guard, who will record more assists on the season; Roko or Rasho?

[Marques]

Doug, could you see a potential sign and trade between the Rockets and Raptors sending Delfino to Houston for Von Wafer to Toronto.

By the way, where do you see Tyronn Lue heading? Europe?

Blogger's note: No, I cannot and I have no idea. I do know it's not here and, honestly, that's all I care about at the moment

[chops]

Hey Doug,
I have 4 tickets for the open. Do you think it's worth going or is the rain just too much?

Blogger's note: Can you save 'em and use 'em on Monday :)

[aditya]

has jason kapono ever dunked in a game in a toronto uniform (if you can remember)? i just saw kyle korver dunk

[aditya]

any chance of getting gerald green for a training camp invite?

Blogger's note: Doubt it

[aditya]

paul davis passes to ricky davis who passes to baron davis...ladies and gentleman, your 2008-2009 los angeles clippers

[Tim H.]

Hi Doug!

Great blog, as usual!

Do you have any idea why so many overly-qualified GM's - aka, thedster, eric, agridome, etc. - are still unemployed???!?!?! Obviously, they each know more than any sitting GM in the NBA, and yet they still 'flounder' in your blog (and as 'expert' commentators on torontostar.com articles) - have they been 'blackballed' by the NBA as being just TOO knowledgeable to hold down REAL NBA jobs??!?!?

What's the REAL scoop on these guys who hold all the secrets to success in the NBA??? Why hasn't BC scooped them all up to make the greatest management team ever???

Blogger's note: If I knew that, I'd be an NBA GM or something.

[Mando]

"I'd like to try and answer a common question myself. Many of you are asking why would Delfino want to come back to the NBA if he was making 8 million over the next 2 years in Russia.

Well the answer is in the question: Because it's in Russia.

Now I don't want to slam Russia, I'm sure it's nice. But when an NBA player goes on a road trip he goes to places like L.A., Miami and New York. I'm pretty sure none of those places are on Delfino's travel schedule for Khimki."

That's a comment that sounds like it came from someone from East Podunk who has never been anywhere! My daughter was a model, to her L.A. was Hell A., a place full of mindless fools, it and Miami can't hold a candle to any sophisticated European city. And Americans don't live there!

[Jamie]

RASHO RASHO RASHO!!!!!

[Tim W.]

Amuthannan....: "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."

Personally, I think Colangelo should have added skill, which he did. And Pops is not, has never and will never be a center, which is what the Raptors needed. If you can somehow stretch Pops 4 inches, and raise his basketball IQ, especially on the defensive end, I'd agree with you. Until then...

[Tim W.]

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

I have to disagree with Doug here. I'd do it in a millisecond and even throw in a first round pick just to help it go through. That would be a massive steal and give the Bulls exactly what they need.

Oh, you meant for the Raptors, didn't you. Well, Chicago fans make up just as lopsided trades as Toronto fans do. Hey, how about Roko and Marcus Banks for Tyrus Thomas? Derrick Rose needs a backup.