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

[Mikey]

If the trade is indeed a two-for-two, it cannot be consummated until Aug. 23rd because Amir Johnson was traded to Milwaukee less than two months ago. If a team is over the cap (Milwaukee) and receives a player in a trade, they cannot trade that player in combination with other players for two months.

Johnson could be a good fit, don't like giving up on Roko but Amir is a combo forward who can slip into the 3 spot in a pinch.

And everyone please do not get your hopes up in regards to the second piece, take a look at Milwaukee's roster. They don't have anyone that will make a huge difference here.

[Ravi]

Hey Doug,

This may be a dumb question, but can the Raps obtain the rights to Sessions? Not sure why they would want to, but just curious. Thanks.

Blogger's note: They can. Cannot envision them doing it.

[Geoff Read]

Ukic needs to work on his jump shot and his decision making. If he does, he could be an NBA starter. I liked his quickness. Good luck to him.

Given Ukic's potential and Delfino's skills that make him a legitimate second stringer, perhaps even a sixth man, I'm hoping the second guy in the deal can contribute more than keeping the bench warm. Any ideas who it might be Doug?

[ChrisD1]

Doug -
Who do you take? Kurt Thomas...expiring contract, grizzled veteran OR Joe Alexander...rookie bust, but a window of potential and longer contract?

I'd go for KT myself...

Blogger's note: So would I

[rob]

I have a feeling that the fourth player is Ilyasova... I can't see any other player on Milwaukee's roster that would work financially in the trade.

[Steven Cerritos]

All Mr. Colangelo needs to do is turn Banks' contract into a legit back-up SF.

[Raps Fan]

Joe Alexander? What about him Doug?

Blogger's note: I don't think a team fighting long-term money issues wants to give up a guy on a rookie scale contract but I could be wrong.
Oh, and the fact he was entirely underwhelming makes me wonder, too

[brent]

Doug,
I'm wondering if we may not find out anything firm for a few days yet. It's my understanding that Johnson has a trade restriction so that if he's coming to Toronto with another player the trade can't be consummated until next week. Correct?

Blogger's note: Not sure; could be two simultaneous transactions for all I know.

[Eric]

I don't mind the move but it's still early...... I don't understand the financials. Is this a S&T with Delfino? I assume it's not but then how do the contracts match? Toronto can't make this deal >4m : 1.5m. There's at least one missing piece?

I'm very sad to see Roko go. I think the team gave up on him waaaaaay early but when you are as soft as our 2 favourite ballerinas, Bosh and Bargnani, this is what happens. I don't fault Colangelo for wanting toughness and nasty.

Blogger's note: As you'll notice, I cut the crap about me and will from now on delete entire posts, like I did last time. Don't say you weren't warned.
Oh, and you assume wrong

[Rahulan]

I was looking at the Bucks roster and their salaries according to Real GM trying to figure out who could match salary wise (assuming Delfino signs for around 5M/year). Although Mbah a Moute would be nice, I think it's most likely Joe Alexander. I don't think the Bucks would want to let him go but not sure who else on the roster makes it work financially and they are closer to the tax than we are.

[Vin Baker]

Doug, you are amazing. By the way, maybe its Walter Sharpe? Only realistic option to me it seems. Anyways, Pops tweet account suggests hes in Houston, so maybe thats done there, but do you know if BC is gonna waive the second player?

Blogger's note: I'm not sure who the second player is so I can't guess about the possibility of waiving him

[Calvin]

Guys, as much as we liked Roko (I liked him too), it was going to be difficult to develop his talents since both Calderon and Jack are sign to long term contracts. I mean, there is a good chance that roko becomes good, but its going to be redundant and a waste of money to have 3 good PG in the team (assuming roko becomes good).

I like this trade. Not only because Johnson is on the last year of the contract, but because the original contract was signed for 3 years. Which means we get to have the bird rights (or some other rights) to sign him or sign and trade him just like we can do now with Delfino, which gives BC more flexibility next year. Even if Johnson doesn't work out, his expiring contract makes him tradable come mid season to improve our roster. Kinda thinking too much ahead but Doug, am I correct on this bird rights thing for Johnson?

Blogger's note: If it was a three-year deal he was on, yes

[Anthony R]

I like this trade. Amir is a solid defender, added toughness and should at least push our front court in practice.
Sad to see Roko go. I always projected him to be the next Calderon.
As for the 2nd piece to this trade, I'm going to guess KURT THOMAS. That is a total stab in the dark.

Glad you're quick on the trigger to get these stories out to us supper quick!

[Chris]

Come on people...young athletic bigs always blossom late and when Johnson does (and he will), he will be the missing piece of freak athleticism the Raptors have lacked up front...forever. Add that to Derozan and the Raps are finally getting a nice blend of athletes and distributors (Hedo, Jack) to go with their shooters. I love this deal!

[Shawn]

If this is indeed with a 2-1 deal (filler player notwithstanding) then I'm not a big fan of this move. Delfino is a serviceable player and Ukic has potential whereas Amir has yet to prove himself through 4 seasons in the league.

Bloggers note: Why does everyone find it necessary to post a blogger's note after their post?

[Tim W.]

nigel: "I always thought that Roko was underrated (he wasnt worse than Calderon in his first year)"

Are kidding? While Calderon didn't light the league up his rookie season, he was, almost immediately, a viable backup who even started 11 games. Just comparing the stats of the two during their rookie seasons tells a lot. Calderon certainly wasn't the shooter he is now, but he still shot a somewhat respectable .423. Ukic shot .380. A very big difference. Calderon also showed an acumen for passing the ball, notching up a half decent 4.5 assists while turning the ball over only 1.6 times in just 23 minutes. Neither could shoot the ball very well, but at least Calderon could pass the ball without turning it over. Ukic had a horrible assist to turnover ratio and never showed much of a penchant for running a team. ABout the ONLY thing Ukic could do better than Calderon in his rookie season is defend, but when you shoot the ball as badly as he did, and turn the ball over as much as he did, you're really not going to want him on the floor much.

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

Ya, gee, I also think Michael Redd would have been a better option than Johnson, but since the Raptors aren't actually giving up any talent to begin with (since Delfino was a free agent, they aren't actually giving him up), why would Milwaukee want to give up anyone but a scrub, since that's what the Raptors are giving up. Mbah a Moute actually contributed (playing 25 mpg) and started 51 games this past season. He's also just 22 years old. Ukic played 12 mpg only because the Raptors had such a dearth of backup PGs.

--

As for the trade, it opens up a little more room financially next season, gives the Raptors some potential at the 4 and 5, and also gives them an option for a future trade, with Johnson being a potential valuable trading chip with his expiring contract. I'd like to know who the 2nd player from Milwaukee is going to be. If they hadn't already waived Bowen, I would guess it would have been him,

Oh, and I've finally posted my third chapter of the epic Colangelo/Raptors article, if anyone cares to read it...
http://www.wearingfilm.com/picketfence/

[BigDog]

i'm from milwaukee and i hope it's alexander we traded. i like this trade for us and hopefully delfino ends up playing.(not sure what his situation is). with warrick, johnson's expendable. i really liked ukic the 2-3 times i've seen him play. i see a lot of potential in him. could the 2nd player be ridnour? not sure how the salaries match up.

[doug]

its a good deal as I am not a big fan of having a player that was the back-up PG last year, having to fight for minutes with a new one in Jack,,,just doesn't send a positive message and tough on Jay to deal with that whole situation, a unnecessary one in my opinion..so good of BC to move Roko along although I liked him, think he will be a perennial back-up but a servicable one...I like Johson, and to me people have to quit slotting players as to say he will take minutes away from POB is wrong..it all depends on match-ups, game situations, opponents..so no coach worth his salt just slots guys, this just gives Jay more options, more situational moves as Johnson and POB are 2 different players...so good move also i am sure Roko would have exercised his option for next year so it's also another solif financial move

unless Donnny Osmond is a terrible dancer or injures himself I would put a $100 on him to win the dance thingie as America loves him..plus he has the the state of Utah's vote locked up already, and his own families vote and what with multiple brothers, a sister, nieces,nephews that must acccount for more then a few votes....theres a gaggle of Osmonds plus he's America's sweetheart, he's a shoo-in...

[DJ]

It's going to be Bruce Bowen who's the second player from the Bucks.

Unfortunately this deal can't go through until the 23rd because Amir Johnson can't be traded until then.

Blogger's note: Um, no. Bowen was waived last week, he can't be in it; and if they structure it as two simultaneous one-for-one transactions (Delfino in a sign-and-trade for Johnson, Ukic for someone else), it can be done

[NRapz]

Alirght everyone here is the raptors roster as it looks like from today. It is clearly a major upgrade from last year's roster, but is it good enough for the raptors to be legitimate compititor in the east?

PG- Jose Calderon/Jarret Jack (Primarily PG, can play SG) /Marcus Banks (PG/SG) /Quincy Douby
SG- Marco Belinelli/ DeMar Derozan (can play SF)
SF- Hedo Turkoglu/ Antoine Wright (SF/SG)
PF- Chris Bosh/Reggie Evans/Amir Johnson
C- Andrea Bargnani/Rasho Nesterovic/Patrick O’Bryant

[Mike D]

Marc Stein is reporting that the second player is Weems.

[nigel]

its Sonny Weems.

check out his pic on espn..looks like Joey Graham!

[toronto18]

Second player is apparently Sonny Weems...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4404309

[Jason]

This is not right How are you going to have Patrick O'Bryant and Amir Johnson on the roster over Pops Mensah-Bonsu can someone make scene of that for me because i am confused.

Blogger's note: Well, how about both O'Bryant and Johnson are younger, bigger, longer, more experienced

[Gary M. Mugford]

Seems to me, the likely Buck in change is going to be Jodie Meeks. Both Sharpe and Weems have trade lockouts for a month or two. The other possibility might be Alexander, given Delfino is going in the other direction. Depends on Carlos' stipend, whether Alexander falls into the potential 'other' category. But I really think it will be Meeks.

As for Ukic, I was and still am a fan. Hard work will pay off and I think he's in the right spot to get playing time. Even if Sessions somehow stays a Buck, I think Jennings will have enough bad nights that Ukic will play some significant minutes. Good luck to him.

Still, I think the addition of one more big to the Toronto roster makes it likely the inevitable hurts along the way won't result in a litany of Gangsters filling Raptor togs.

Keep up the good reportage, Doug
GM