Of roster moves and the coming schedule

Hey, everyone have a good weekend?

Finally got some good weather for a holiday, which was entirely unusual but quite welcome around these parts at least.

Still painfully slow around the Raptors but there are some things to think about.

Like …

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Okay, in the last couple of days I’ve heard or been asked about Ime Udoka, Gerald Green, Pops You Know Who, Good Joey and about five or six other guys as “possibilities” for that final roster spot that now seems certain not to go to Carlos Delfino.

Let me just throw this out:

Does it really matter who?

Consider this: Turkoglu’s been pretty durable – he’s only missed 18 games in total over the last four seasons and he carries a workload of about 36-38 minutes a night. The Raptors coaching staff, as we’ve been mentioning for a couple of weeks, thinks Antoine Wright is quite capable of playing the three for a little bit and there are even those connected with the team who project DeRozan as a small forward possibility, at least in some rare occasions in his first couple of seasons.

So what are we talking about with that other guy? Someone who’s going to play – maybe – 6-7 minutes a night unless something drastically bad happens? And for this people are getting worked up?

It’s almost to the point where it doesn’t matter who that guy is and you can pick any one of the handful of names I’ve been presented with and it’ll be fine. The determining factor may end up being personality and willingness to accept a really minor role and none of us really knows how any of these possible additions would handle that.

The more you think about it, isn’t this really a case of getting worked up over nothing?

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Schedule’s out this afternoon, 1 p.m. I believe, and here’s one thing it won’t have:

Local television information.

As has been routine in the past, divvying up games between the dozen or so local broadcasters (okay, it’s only five but you get my drift) takes some time and it’ll likely be September before we learn what games are on TSN, The Score, CBC, TSN2 and RaptorsTV.

After all, there’s a whole season of NHL games to worry about first and we all know the pecking order around here.

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Yes, that was an ugly brawl between Canada and Italy the other day and if you haven’t yet seen it, here’s a quick glimpse.

But the reality is, fights in international basketball happen with far more regularity than they do in, say, North America. I don’t remember a qualifying tournament or exhibition series without some sort of contretemps and while this one lasted a bit longer than usual, it seemed to be a lot more milling around and gesturing with hands than anything.

Bad? Sure.

A disgrace? Not exactly.

Any repercussions? I doubt it.

And you know what? Ask a bunch of Canadian players from the past and I bet all of ‘em tell you these kinds of dust-ups help in the team-building more than anything.

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Back to the NBA schedule for a minute.

One thing we should learn today is the American national broadcast schedule, that’s games on TNT, ESPN and ESPN2 and ABC.

If I had to guess, I’d bet they get shut out on TNT again, maybe get one or two ESPN games and aren’t included on the ABC schedule, although we know things can be re-arranged for those late-season Sunday games, like they were a couple of seasons ago when they added a game at Detroit to the ABC lineup.

What’s it mean?

Well, before anyone goes off half-cocked about disrespect and blah, blah, blah, know that it has more to do with a 33-win season a year ago than anything TNT bigwig sitting in some office in Atlanta laughing about Toronto.

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Let’s go back to the roster one more time, if for no other reason that to stretch this post out to a legitimate length (I keed).

I know I’ve said I don’t expect this to happen because it doesn’t make any sense with regards to the salary cap or the tax level but one guy in the organization I talked to recently did hold out some chance that the Raptors may just buy out Marcus Banks and cut the cord.

Now, if I’m Marcus Banks or his agent, there’s no way I take anything less than the full amount owed over the next two seasons (which amounts to somewhere near $9.3 million) but if Bryan’s got his powers of persuasion working and can reduce the actual amount of money that goes out the door (even if it carries no savings in tax or cap issues), why the heck not.

There is no question the Raptors don’t have a lot of time for Banks; I can’t see him being anything other than an inactive list habitant all season and they remain miffed that he didn’t take part in the summer league.

But no one – no one – is going to trade for him and here’s why, again. No team wants to take on money for the 2010-11 season so there’s no deal for someone with a contract as long or longer than Banks’s. So any trade scenarios you’re cooking up in your mind can be immediately forgotten.

Maybe a buyout is the right way to go; the people I’ve been talking to aren’t sure it’s going to happen but the fact it was even mentioned in passing makes me think it’s now a remote possibility in a move that’s of the less-is-more category.

Comments

[Mitch]

to be honest I'm pretty embarassed that Jesse Young had four Italians surrounding him in the corner of the court there for a stretch of that highlight, no Canadian backup in sight

[O.J.]

Hey Doug,

If they use the veterans minimum player X and then buy out Banks' contract, how would it be possible for them to fill out the remaining roster spot?

Blogger's note: They may be able to fit in another minimum value deal for a year

[dougie]

Wow, Leo looked more flustered than anyone.

I liked Barg's reaction. Any idea why he wasn't playing?

Also, I'd be happy if they bought out Banks. Basketball is a team sport and chemistry is as important as any other factor... Banks looks more like a cancer than a good cheerleader.

[dsl]

I have nothing but bad memories of Raptors regular season games played on US national TV. One year, they ruined my Christmas day. Here's hoping they truly do get shutout.

[Nick]

Blogger's note: "But the reality is, fights in international basketball happen with far more regularity than they do in, say, North America."

I think above applies to all international sports, not just basketball. When you are representing a country, and playing a competitive game with your fellow countrymen... you don't back down for nothing really.

I liked how Andrea was the peace maker - calming the big Jesse Young donw... nice work Bargs.

[Jim Rootham]

The NBA shut down fighting after Kermit Washington almost killed Rudy Tomjanovich. The international game has not gone through that experience.

[Will L.]

good to see that bargnani was one of the peacemakers in the whole schlabiel.. i wonder if it's because he has some ties to canada (sort of) or because that's his nature?

but i agree, doug, totally blown out of proportion.

[Ollie]

The reason Marcus Banks is an afterthought is because he sucks... BC really blew it when he signed him to that contract in PHX...

Blogger's note: Except that he didn't. So, before you cast aspersions, a little fact-checking might help

[Prophet2k]

I just have to throw in my two cents on the whole exhibition brawl thing. As a former baller I've taken a few elbows to the head and I've even dished out a few flagrant fouls, against fellow Canadians. This is not a Canada-Italy thing, it is just a basketball thing. The Italian player caught an elbow from the Canadian and took it the wrong way and gave him a cheap shot. The really bad part is the he rushed the guy after knocking him on the floor. At least Bargnani speaks English and Rautins speaks Italian so things didn't get too out of hand.

Whatever jersey the guy happened to be wearing at the time of the incident dosen't really matter so much. The guy should have gotten a flagrant, double-technical, ejection, and possibly a suspension. Notice how in North America the games are termed exhibition instead of "friendlies", this one wasn't very friendly at all.

[dc]

buying-out the contract for Banks would be a wise decision. Nothing would kill the chemistry of a newly renovated team more than a player who is overpaid and under-performing. By spending the money to be rid of Banks, the Raptors at least gain the ability to add more developing players that at least have the potential to be valuable contributors.

without the buyout, Banks sits on the bench and collects millions of dollars while contributing nothing and therefore holding back the development of other, more promising players; reminding everyone that he is just part of an trade package, that resulted from the failed pairing of O'Neal and Bosh; undermining the chemistry and forward momentum of the entire group.

I'm sure he's a good guy who cares about basketball, but the NBA is the most talented league in the world, the players are paid handsomely to perform. If they can't perform up to the expectations of their contract, they need to play somewhere else where they can.

If the Raptors had committed ownership, who valued winning a championship as the ultimate goal (and didn't mandate revenue, profits and avoiding tax penalties as the pillars of sport), Banks' buyout would have already happened last season.

[Erc]

You mention that fisticuffs are a lot more common in internation b-ball than North American.
Remember 'back in the day' when each NBA team carried it's own 'enforcer', like the puckheads still do?
I think it was Jim Lustocoff who served as the Celtics resident goon during the Russell-Havlicek title runs. Hook shot wasn't much but left hook was.
One of the top enforcers was Calvin Murphy, a fine guard out of Niagara who despite being only 4'2" could dunk with either hand. He was one of the most feared fistfighters in the leauge, despite being vertically challenged.
The Rudy Tamjanovich episode forced the league to deal with the frontier-justice mentality. Ticket sales don't seemed to have suffered. Wonder if Gary Bettman is aware of that?

[Peter]

Dust up? What dust up? Bargnani's lookin good. Nice new haircut, looks lean and strong. That's all I'm worried about in that video.

[Ravi C]

Are you thinking that BC may want 1 or 2 empty roster spots by waiving Marcus Banks, and thereby making future 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 trades possible, or do you think he'd want to sign two players for the minimum contract this offseason?

Blogger's note: Really can't say at this moment. It would depend on a lot of things like length of those contracts, their minimum value and how close Toronto is to the tax level

[TJ]

Good morning sir. Glad to hear you were able to enjoy the long weekend, and that BC didn't ruin it with a jaw dropping trade or signing!
As per you comments about Banks and the small thoughts of him being bought out: Question I have is this, if the Raps do buy him out and it leaves us with 2 open spots, and Banks buy doesn't change our cap status, can we then pick up two players for min contracts?
You didn't mention that so I was just curious.
Thanks Doug, and I have to say, you may not always be the 1st to break news but you always seem to get the story right, and I, along with many others appreciate that it.
Cheers

Blogger's note: They could conceivably get two, yes. But I'm not entirely sure of the math in the tax calculations. It'd be balancing a fine financial line

[Raptor City]

Nice comments Doug

We here at RaptorCity.Co.Cc think Buying out Banks at full price doesnt entirely make too much sense, he has talent, he just isnt worth his contract on this team. I am sure we can swap him for another bad contract but I am pretty sure that is not what BC wants to do.

The Final Roster spot, I think has understated importance due to the rigours of a tough NBA schedule and also due to the fact that trades do happen, and with our team how it is, a in-season trade is a distinct possibilty......this trade would have us giving up 2 for 1

As far as for the fight, that was the most entertaining Canadian Basketball I may have ever watched.....

[lookalike]

Gotta love Andrea and Bellinelli in the middle of that dust up. Ok, so maybe Andrea was playing peacemaker more than instigating but two years ago the guy would have been hiding behind smaller teammates.

[Striker77]

Hey Doug,

Do you know if there was any discipline handed down to Mancinelli for that hit from behind? I know its early, but have you heard of any disciplinary action?

Blogger's note: No, and I don't expect there will be any

[Craze Carl]

Nice work Doug! Finally someone agrees with me about waiving Banks. Now we can bring in Delfino and 'the Legend' under the lux. cap. Cheers!

[Grant]

If Banks is bought out does that mean the Raps have two roster spots with the same limitations as the existing one?

Blogger's note: Financial limitations? Yes. And perhaps greater since they will still be taking the cap hit for Banks and would need to replace him

[Jerry]

Banks should take a buyout for 75-80% so he can try to latch on to a team where he might get some burn. At a reasonable number, I think he could be solid backup in this league.

Not playing for the next two seasons is a good way for him to bounce himself of the Association.

[Richard D.]

Hey Doug, Great job with the blog.

I think your underrating the job of whomever the last man on the roster will be. Look at the impact Pops made with the fans last year. Or O'Bryant, who is strugging with the NBA to say the least but still has a sliver of potential. The final player will push the starters in practise and when the injuries start piling up mister 5-7 mins a game will be getting more playing time with a bigger role. Besides what else would the Raptor nation be thinking about at this point of the off-season. It gives us one more B.C. move to speculate about. My Take is that Pops will be back and at some point during the season his role will have more signifagance then what you described. As I write I find my question from within: how many years does B.C. have on his contract?

[G]

I hate to sound like ERIC. but... wholy backtracking man!

When I suggested they should just buy out Banks and use the extra roster spot to sign a player like Pops about 3 weeks ago. you made me feel dumb for even thinking about such a thing.
your answer, No they would never do that. why would they pay pops 10 million a year? that's what it would essentially be.

whatever I still love the blog and your work. but Doug you are always so quick to shut down peoples suggestions sometimes.
I guarantee if somebody would have wrote in saying the Raptors should trade D. George for Belinelli you would have basically said that they are crazy.

Blogger's note: I don't think they should do it; haven't ever thought that, as a matter of fact; I think the value of his contract as an expiring deal next summer will be greater than any buyout savings now. It's not backtracking, it was presenting a point brought up to me by someone in the organization.

[Andrew]

Hey Doug,

Wouldn't the Raptors be better off with Banks for the reason that he can be included in a trade package? Say, for example, the new-look Raptors have issues. Wouldn't Bryan include Banks in any trade including Bosh? That way they could free up $5 million for next year. Anyway, just a thought.

[Joe]

Much to do about nothing in the Canada/Italy brawl. Nice to see Andrea play peace maker. He seems to not be as muscular as he was last summer. I hope he's working out and not resting on his new big contract.

[Noslak]

There's been a lot of people posting potential trades involving Marcus Banks and a combo forward which would really balance out our team. But I see Doug always shoots those ideas down if it means the Raptors taking on salary (even as little as $2m over 2-years, which works out to about $1m/year).

Although I don't always agree with the trade ideas brought up, I have to say that I would wholeheartedly disagree with Doug's opinion to not take on salary.

Banks makes $4.5m this season and $4.8m next season.

If we found a combo-forward for $5.5m this season and $5.8m for next season, I would jump at that opportunity and take on the extra $1m/year.

First off, it's an extra $1m this year, BUT you wouldn't have to sign someone to the league minimum for around $1m this season to fill the backup role, so this year, the net team payroll would be no different. I'd rather have a solid backup combo-forward for $5.5m this season instead of Banks (who will NEVER get to play) and a $1m scrub combo-forward. Basically it means we would have a $5.5m backup SF/PF which I'm sure would be more talented than a $1m league-minimum player who no one else wanted.

Year 2, the Raptors would be on the hook for $1m more, but if this SF/PF they get is decent, why not keep him since we need more depth behind Turkoglu and Bosh/Evans anyway. If Bosh goes down, do we start Evans? Bosh has traditionally not been the sturdiest guy around. Not Mr. Glass, but not Iron Man either. We could really use the depth as insurance. A $1m scrub is not enough insurance.

If things don't pan out with the new SF/PF after year 1, we can trade him in year 2 because his expiring contract is an asset. Will it be a more valuable asset than Marcus Banks? SURELY it would, be as combo-forwards are much more rare than combo-guards AND because Marcus Banks couldn't be any more worthless; ANY player would be more worthwhile than him.

So as it stands, I hope BC can find a way to rid himself of Banks and get someone serviceable back in return. After seeing him turn Devean George into Marco Belinelli, I wouldn't put it past him!

Blogger's note: If you can find another NBA GM who'll trade someone who can contribute to a pretty good team and has the same contract for Marcus Banks -- a guy who has played the equivalent of 25 GAMES over the last three years -- you're a better GM than the one they have here. But you'd be welcome to try