So long, Carlos and Roko

PAUL SANCYA/AP

Amir Johnson was a 2nd round pick by the Pistons in 2005.

Just when you thought it was safe to think the Raptors were done, they’re not.

They are on the verge of finalizing a two-for-two deal with Milwaukee that sends swingman Carlos Delfino and point guard Roko Ukic to the Bucks.

Young big man Amir Johnson is headed to Toronto and ESPN reported Monday afternoon the other player is raw swingman Sonny Weems.

It's unclear when the deal will be official but it could be done as early as today or tomorrow.

The financial aspect of the deal will be felt at the end of next season.

If the deal is two-for-two and Weems is not waived, it will fill out Toronto's 15-man roster and spell the end of player movement unless Colagnelo has one more deal up his sleeve.

The Raptors would go into the season with Jose Calderon, Jarrett Jack, Quincy Douby, DeMar DeRozan, Marco Belinelli, Antoine Wright, Marcus Banks, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, Reggie Evans, Rasho Nesterovic, Patrick O'Bryant, Johnson and Weems.

Johnson has just one year and $3,666,667 left on his contract while Ukic had an option for $1,450,000 in the 2010-11 season. Weems is due to make $736,420 this year with none of his 2010-11 salary ($854,389) guranteed.

And with the expectations that the salary cap and luxury tax thresholds will drop next season, any long-term savings will help keep some kind of financial flexibility for president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

But giving up on Ukic is a gamble, even for a Toronto team with a surfeit of point guards.

The 24-year-old struggled at times in his rookie season but at 6-foot-5 and with the ability to break down defences, his skillset could see him eventually thrive in the NBA.

STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Roki Ukic and all his potential are off to Milwaukee.

However, with Jose Calderon and the recently-acquired Jarrett Jack cemented as the top two point guards on the roster and Quincy Douby seemingly able to handle third string duties if necessary, Ukic did become expendable.

Delfino spent last season with Khimki in the Russian league after a year with Toronto and three with the Detroit Pistons.

The Raptors originally had major interest in bringing him back but the acquisition of free agent Hedo Turkoglu, the drafting of DeMar DeRozan, the acquisition of Marco Belinelli and the arrival of Jack made Delfino redundant.

Johnson? Well, he’s big, 6-9 and 210 pounds; raw and really hasn’t done much in the four years he’s kicked around the league. But with some playing time available on a front court rotation that will be dominated by Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, Rasho Nesterovic and Reggie Evans, he might get a chance to contribute – or at least push Patrick O’Bryant for those five-big minutes.

What else does it mean?

Well, with the roster looking full,it's a virtual certainty that Toronto will let Pops Mensah-Bonsu find alternate employment.

Comments

[Vittorio De Zen]

I always liked Amir Johnson. Nice deal.

[Sab]

Good move. Johnson has a lot of potential and bringing more toughness to the team never hurts. Especially when you are trading two players that were not needed. Best of luck to Ukic.

[Jeff Steele]

It might be worth mentioning that Amir Johnson was given a starting spot on the Pistons under Michael Curry, although it didn't last long. He has tremendous shot blocking ability and can have offensive outbursts from time to time. When he gets playing time he usually blocks shots at about the same rate as Chris Anderson, and can easily accumulate 6 or 7 blocks in a single game.

Not a bad trade considering the need for grit and defensive toughness on the roster.

[Kelsie]

Come on Doug you gotta love some off season activity after a season of dissapointment.

At the very least it shows dissapointment is not regarded well around these parts so as a fan it's a positive.

Amir Johnson makes 3.6 million? Wow. He had some potential when he was with the Pistons but did Dumars sign him to that contract?

Any word on the second player? I'm dissapinted that Ukic got moved but we have too many pg's and Jack is signed long term.

Blogger's note: No word yet; might take some time

[Mahdi]

I thought it was a delfino for Johnson swap, however I hope the second player is Luc Mbah a Moute, is young player who can play some as well as score. I think it would be a major steal if he was the second player, it will make me feel less sad about the Roko departure.
I really think Roko is going to have a good career in the nba, but not now, and this team needs to win now so it wouldnt work with him, I hope he gets more playing time in milwakee, i wish him the best of luck.

Blogger's note; It's not going to happen unless the collective Bucks front office has a brain cramp at the same time

[Sab]

Amir Johnson has a lot of potential and it never hurts to bring in some much needed toughness, which the Raptors lack. Especially when you are excganging players that were not going to play much if at all the upcoming season.

[Thane]

Two roster spots?

I thought the deal was a two-for-two with Amir and another player not yet named?

Is the expectation that they'll waive the unnamed player, or am I missing something?

Blogger's note: No, I messed up; unless they plan to waive any other part of the deal, that is

[Thane]

Actually, thinking about it, wouldn't this fill their roster completely, since before this, they had one open spot, and Delfino unsigned?

Blogger's note: It does, at 2-for-2; I messed up

[Jack]

Hmmm.. The Raptors traded the high school point guard, eh. Not bad at all. And the player to be named later is...... Hakim Warrick.
I can only hope.

Blogger's note: The high school point guard who's been playing pro from about eight years and has played in Olympics and world championships? That high school point guard?
And please, put those Warrick hopes away with calling the kid a high school point guard because it's just as dead wrong.

[Eric]

Hey Doug. Any insite on a wing guy BC would be looking at? I'm not really aware of what min money guys are still out there. And sad to see Roko go, but hopefully he can get some playing time there. He'll be a player

Blogger's note: There may not be another guy unless he makes another move; my roster math was off, a 2-for-2 involving Delfino fills them up

[Clutch]

Amir could definitely push POB for those 5th big minutes. I've heard Pops' name surface with other teams in the league through news articles so I question even more now if he's remotely needed on the Raptors. I think Roko has some great value as well so I'm really looking forward to hearing about the other piece in this trade. Thanks Doug!

[LeeZ]

Doesn't this leave the Raps with no roster spots? You said the deal is reportedly two for two. As things stand now, there are 14 signed Raps. Subtract Roko and you have 13. Add the two players from the Bucks (Johnson and whoever) and you're up to 15. I mean, am I wrong, Dude, am I wrong? (Now, if you're a fan of The Big Lebowski, you'll be able to put me in my place with a nice zinger of a comeback. Bonus points to you or anyone else who knows what that comeback is).

Blogger's note; Yeah, my math was screwed up, it's summer. So, if they don't waive the other guy, they are out of spots

[nigel]

good short term trade, although I agree it is a big long term gamble. I always thought that Roko was underrated (he wasnt worse than Calderon in his first year), and if he stayed under Calderon's wing he really could have turned into something. All the best for Roko. As for now though, I liked Amir Johnson when I watched him, and if I remember correctly, him along with Maxiel would defensively shut down the Raptors' front line quite a bit. I like the way this team is looking this year! Now BC needs to take a chance on a summer league guy and finalize his roster!

[Luka]

Not so excited about this... Always loved Ukic even though he was at times frustrating to watch.

Johnson is not very good i would have rather seen Mbah a Moute come over even though hes a year older...

What do you think Doug, did we get fair value in return?

Blogger's note: Well, they traded one guy who wasn't going to play here (Delfino) and a PG they lost confidence in who was, at best, a third string guy for someone whose contract expires and a fourth part I'm not sure of.
And, yes, I think they would have liked Mbah a Moute, too; but that's one of those zany ideas that doesn't take into consideration the fact the Bucks front office has people in it who, you know, think

[Kyle]

There we have our backup 3! Yay!

[Rory Gold]

Hey Doug I need your early Dancing with the Stars pick

Ashley Hamilton
Kathy Ireland
Joanna Krupa
Melissa Joan Hart
Mya
Donny Osmond
Michael Irvin
Chuck Liddell
Debi Mazar
Macy Gray
Mark Dacascos
Kelly Osbourne
Aaron Carter
Natalie Coughlin
Louie Vito
Tom DeLay

Blogger's note: I need some time to handicap the race

[Steven]

This is a tremendous trade for the Raptors. I am a Pistons fan, and Johnson has big time potential. He just turned 22, and could be a defensive force. He was untradeable almost a year ago, and he has some big time defensive skills. Totally worth to take a flyer on him.

[BrianV]

I really like this move.

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I had not given up on Roko. How can you give up on a euro trained PG who has played all but one year in the NBA? The fact that we received a young player in a position of need means I will not lose any sleep over his loss.

Having said that, to be able to get anything for Carlos, who was made all but redundant, with the aquisition of Bellinelli, is a plus to the roster.

The fact that we received a young athletic big (Amir Johnson) who can rebound and block shots, is a shrewed move. Moreso if we can resign him next year.

Does this make POB expendable (I know most think he is expendable regardless. Trade or no trade)? Could we get a 2nd round draft pick for him now?

Can we now pickup Ime Udoka for backup SF duties and call it an off-season? I hope so.

More kudos for BC. This water into wine trick is getting to be old-hat.

[LeeZ]

"And, yes, I think they would have liked Mbah a Moute, too; but that's one of those zany ideas that doesn't take into consideration the fact the Bucks front office has people in it who, you know, think"

Ding ding ding!!!
(Are readers allowed to give YOU a ding ding ding?)

But Doug, you didn't give me the Big Lebowski comeback line! Please don't tell me you haven't seen that movie? If you haven't, walk -- nay, RUN -- to your nearest Blockbuster and rent it right this second! And you'll have to watch it at least twice, because it doesn't really take the first time; repeated viewings are de rigueur.

Blogger's note: Haven't seen it enough at one sitting to be able to quote

[anthony.mackay]

I think its a good gamble, with Jose and Jack covering the point Roko wouldn't have got many minutes to develop so this could be good for him down the road.
Amir is still raw but at his age still has the benefit of "potential upside" and that is a big reason why I like young players.

Love the look of this roster and looking forward to the pre-season!

[Ravi]

Looking at the Bucks roster, it doesn't appear that they have much to offer in terms of a SF/SG as the second player thrown in. In fact, aside from the players we have no chance of obtaining (Mbah a Moute, Alexander), I doubt there's anyone of impact we would receive in return.

[brent]

Doug,
I agree with you that the Bucks front office would have to have a brain cramp to deal Mbah a Moute . . . but aren't these these the same guys who drafted Yi?
We can always dream . . .

Blogger's note: Actually they're not; new regime since then

[Adrian]

Hey Doug, according to this article: http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/jobtraining_070108.html

Amir Johnson has since grown to 6'11" since being drafted in 2005.

I think that most likely Bryan Colangelo is making moves so that we are financially in a better position for Summer of 2010; when the salary cap goes down and so that the Raps won't have to pay so much when we go over the Luxury Tax threshold.

[Andre]

hmmm maybe its sonny weems? Bruce Bowen would fit perfectly, but they waived him .. as long as its not Joe Alexander im happy. This was a good move. doug, why would you want a shooting backup small forward? wouldnt you want more of a slasher/scorer?

[Hooman]

Doug, please speculate on who the next guy will be, I'm already tired of refreshing this page every 5 minutes hoping for a new update. I'm guessing it will be an SF so the options look to be:

Sonny Weems - lets hope not
Walter Sharpe - see above
Ersan Ilyasova - I think he just signed a 3-year deal with the Bucks so it probably isn't going to be him, although it would be nice to pair of Hedo with another Turkish speaking player, and this guy had some upside
Bruce Bowen - wait did he get bought out already?
Joe Alexander - have a feeling it will be him