Deals are done, deals are undone, deals are in limbo. Fun, isn't it?

And so it goes.

Another day, another snag, another story.

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Yes, there are issues with the Matt Barnes trade/signing, issues that popped up about 15 minutes after the head hit the pillow last night judging by the flurry of e-mails that greeted me this morning.

Issues? Yes. Dead? No.

This is not Tyson Chandler and Michael Jordan, this is salary cap machinations the Raptors and Orlando Magic have to work through.

And they will give it their best shot.

It’s funny how these kinds of stories get going and how it’s impossible to keep entirely on top of them.

When I filed just before 10 or so, it was done; so done that my story got to the office about 20 minutes before Barnes tweeted that he would be playing in Toronto next season.

I’d checked this with a source or two; the word I got was “close” which is why I wrote the story for the paper (which you can read here) the way I did.

A bit softer that saying it was done, done and that’s mostly because I was mindful of (a) the words that the guys I was talking to were using and (b) Tyson Chandler kept running through my mind.

Now, in a perfect world, I would have been up around 1 a.m. when the note came in that there was a snag and I’d have been able to further update the story. But I wasn’t.

And the trouble is, for people who only get a hard copy of the newspaper, that wouldn’t have helped at all anyway; at 1 a.m. we’re closed for night on the paper side of the ledger.

I guess it underscores yet again how our business – and the entire business of disseminating news – is changing. And I don’t know if it’s all that good; I’d love to say I’d be willing to work at updating stuff every second of every day but that’s not going to happen. I just can’t figure out when the cutoff time should be each day.

Anyway …

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As a basketball fit, you have to think Matt Barnes is a pretty good one for Toronto, no?

A defensive-minded swingman who can make a three and is athletic is about what the doctor ordered.

In fact, when I was sitting around yesterday scribbling some notes (you get some of the end product in a bit) one of the things I wrote was: Best still out there: Barnes.

Now, he’s got some flaws, he could shoot it better, he can disappear for stretches of games but on this Toronto team, he’s probably the starting small forward and a good compliment to DeRozan.

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Hey, you saw the news about the Raptors-Suns game Oct. 6 at whatever they call that arena now, right?

We’re headed to Vancouver and while I love the fact some guys played up the whole “Raptors meet Hedo” thing because it’s fresh, getting to see Steve Nash in Vancouver will be very cool.

The full schedule is still being finalized but I imagine we’d be out there for three or four days of practice before the game, kind of a end-of-training-camp excursion after they have three days or so here in Toronto.

But I also don’t think we’re stopping anywhere in Canada on the way home; it’ll be Vancouver as the only stop on the national tour.

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So, Golf Boy returns soon. Got to deal with one more morning of family stuff I think but I’m kind of looking forward to getting out to St. George’s. I haven’t seen a street festival/golf tournament ever and it should be kind of neat.

Plus it gives me a nice break from salary caps and trade exceptions and the like. Until, of course, the Barnes thing comes to a conclusion.

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So, among those free agent recap notes I was jotting down yesterday – figuring out winners and losers around the league -- were these (and there’ll be more sometime the rest of the week)

Oldies but goodies: Among the better contracts, I’ve got Derek Fisher at three years, $10.5 million because it locks leader the Lakers really need; and Ray Allen at two years, $20 million because he’s still got some game and the Celtics need to make one more run.

Oldies but not so goodies: Am entirely unsure that 30-year-old Al Harrington at five years, $34 million on an already-aging Denver roster is money well spent; and Amar’e Stoudemire’s deal, five years, $100 million is a huge gamble on a guy who (a) has been hurt and (b) doesn’t have Steve Nash

Cashing in, big time: Anthony Morrow made about $736,000 last season in Golden State; he’s going to make about $4 million in Jersey. Wish I was him.

Understated, but big: Chicago didn’t get any of the LeBron Nation followers but Kyle Korver is really going to help; that team needed a three-point shooter and got it.

Rub your eyes, shake your head: If someone had told you when the free agency period began that the guy who would have the largest contract at the end of it would be Joe Johnson, what would you have said? “No way!” Well, at six years, $119 million, he’s No. 1 and I’m a tad stunned at the way things panned out.

Cashing in, big time II: Wesley Matthews made slightly more than $450,000 with the Jazz as an unsigned rookie; he got five years, $33 million in Portland and I’m thinking he and Anthony Morrow must be among the happiest men on earth.

Strength in numbers: No, the New Jersey (I Wonder If They’ll Ever Be Brooklyn) Nets win the Most Active Team award. But I wonder how much Morrow, Travis Outlaw, Jordan Farmar and Johan Petro will really help. That’s not a 12-win team, that’s for sure; but is it 35?

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Okay, same deal as yesterday, folks. Got some stuff to take care of that might keep me away from here for a few hours; please don’t get angry or hurt. I still love ya.

(Well, most of you)

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Comments

[Joe]

Hi Doug,

Hope all is well with the family.

I was watching a summer league game on NBA TV this weekend. The play by play fellows had Amare Stoudemaire with them. During their conversations, Amare mentioned all the teams that had made him offers. Amare mentioned that the Raptors were one of the teams that had made him an offer. Little chance he would have accepted but had he taken Toronto's offer, I guess the only way to have pulled that off would have been via a sign and trade; probably involving Hedo and other parts.

[dc]

matt barnes is 30. we just blew a whack of dough on kleiza, who is 30...
So far, this is the worst make-over i have seen the raptors make since the 90s
the VC debacle is a different issue...
Who on the raptors is a go-to ball handler and scorer? the team will have no one to replace the scoring of bosh.
Look for the raptors to reach scoring levels that will be the lowest in nba history.
Lebron looks like the devil and Bosh will look like a genius.

[james]

Barnes is a good signing...this clip sums up what he can bring to the table...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1x9zHiSgxY
I hope Bco can get rid of El Matador's contract still before the summer is done...we need another big body up front too, someone with at least a bit of experience.

[Ryan Morrison]

Hey Doug, whats the deal with Kleiza, has it been offically anounced yet that Kleiza has been signed, seems fishy we would sing Barnes right after signing Kleiza doesnt it, did we back out of the Kleiza signing or is it still a go just no offical word yet

Blogger's note: Been official since Saturday

[Ryan M. in Ottawa]

Hey Doug,

I'm with you about the Nets, but if you think of the aquisitions as a bench it's not so bad right? Do they still have cap space to work with for next year's free agency? If they do, and manage to land an all-star at the starting two or three i think they become a pretty solid team a couple years down the road

[JT]

I've seen some reports (e.g. Yahoo) which said the deal is dead completely.

However, if it ends up working out, I agree that he's a good compliment to DeRozan and Kleiza is also a good compliment to Weems. I'm liking the more athletic and better defenders that have been brought in (Barbosa and Barnes). Now they need a legit big, preferably a Centre to possibly play with Bargs at stretches. Do you think they will try to make a trade to get their roster in order? Evans/Jose/Banks?

[Stavros]

Hi Doug,

Just wondering why the official "Kleiza joins the team" announcement hasn't come. Do you know?

Thanks for the daily dose.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

G'day Doug,
Hoping your family matters are in good stead and treating you well today.
Nobody can accuse BCo of collecting any moss under those oversized collars, can they? Barnes would be an awesome addition. Kind of a Doug Christie with attitude?
Now if BCo could steal a young, energetic big, who'd be better targets than Bogut or Marc Gasol? And for razzmatazz point guards, wouldn't Chris Paul or Brandon Jennings (or Tony Parker) turn this summer on its head? Hey, why not dream big? I'd say BCo is. Fun indeed, Doug! Cheers.

[John MacDonald]

So what seems to be the problem with the Barnes deal Doug? I can't imagine Orlando getting anything better than a 2nd round pick and trade exemption for him. If it's on the Raptors side they should have 4.5 million room under the luxury tax level considering they didn't use all their mid-level and Bosh's contract came off. So what's the hold up? I would think Orlando would be more than pleased to get Barnes in the best spot in his eyes.

[JH]

Where is training camp taking place this year?

[Stu]

To "dc," Kleiza is 25. He won't even be 30 when his contract runs out. And do you want to bet on whether the Raps will have the worst offence in NBA history?

[Mike kovacs]

Matt was at camp last week with none other than Oakley and Walker D Russell Jr AND Sr. Much BBall was learned!

[John S]

@ DC - Kleiza is 25 and Barnes is a relatively young 30 (not as many NBA minutes... look at McGrady, he's on the downside of his career and he's only 31).

Hopefully the Barnes deal is not deal. Finally, the Raptors will have a tough defender who can handle 2s and 3s.

And thank goodness the Raptors didn't sign Amare. He has had microfracture surgery and eye surgery and will be paid $20 mil a season for the next 5 years. I'd rather have some cap space / trade exceptions than be locked into a contract that in a couple of years will make Hedo's contract look like a bargain.

[John S]

Cashing in big time - JJ Redick for $20 mil over 3 years... are you kidding me?

And Kyle Lowry for $24 mil over 4 years.

For anyone who knocks Jose's contract, just imagine having to pay JJ Redick $7 mil a season or Kyle Lowry $6 mil a season.

And I agree... Joe Johnson getting $119 mil is ridiculous. In a few seasons, that will be the new Allan Houston of contracts.

[Neil]

I am really not sure about this deal Barnes is a good hard nosed player but is he really worth 4.5million a yr for 2 yrs and a option on the second yr ....doesnt make sense for a player who was making just 1.6 million last yr. Also with the option he has on the second year this all just looks like he is signing with the team that pays him the most and he can opt out in the 2nd year of the contract.

Barnes would be better on a contender but from the reports im reading none of the contending teams Lakers heat or boston would pay him more than 2.5million. This looks like another Turk deal for the Raptors another guy that takes the money and doesnt play up to the contract.

[Jack]

There is still a glaring need for a big man to play 5. As it is now, Amir will start at center but who will relieve him? And he's not a true center either. He's just pure hustle. Ed Davis is a 4 and Alabi is still a long way to go. Kinda like Jawai a few years ago. Barnes, if it's a go, will be a good addition. Colangelo surely added some grit to the team to surround a no-defense Bargnani, the featured player, to relieve the pressure. I think he's trying his best to address the needs of the team. After all, this is his contract year.
So when do you think P.J. will take over the team? Around December?

[Scott]

Totally agree with JT. A legit defending centre to grab some boards would be nice. The other thing Barnes would bring is fire. Something this roster needs.

[Danny]

@dc

kleiza is only 25....

nice try though.

[Matty-Pix]

Hard to see how the Barnes deal will work, but i'm sure the braintrust is looking for any wrinkle in the CBA.

Is there a possibility for a "back-heavy" deal? I'm looking into it, but thought you may know offhand. Example, Orlando S&T's Barnes for the 1st year at the max they can - around $2Mil, then a 2nd year for $7Mil ... Probably an issue with percentage raises, but it's the only way I see it working ... even getting other teams involved doesn't seem to work, since anyone with the power to give him the money wouldn't be able to trade him for a significant period ... I may have fallen victim to another premature "tweet" announcement as being news ...

[yertu damkule]

doug - is there an onus on a mere grunt to check the CBA before reporting a deal that isn't feasible? or is it reasonable to expect that SOMEONE (hey, where was fruitman in all this?) on either side (TO or ORL) to know that the deal wouldn't be allowed under the CBA, and that if they are indicating it's a 'done deal,' then it can be assumed that they did, in fact, check?

so basically, it seems now that it's up to barnes as to whether he wants to take less money to play for the raps...kinda seems doubtful, since there are other teams that are in a position to contend that would offer him similar $$ (if it's around the $2M/yr that would be needed to make a S&T work).

DC - kleiza is, i believe, 24.

[AJR]

Doug,

1) If Barnes does sign, can you please suggest to him that he get rid of the ridiculous looking Bowl haircut?

2) Do the difficulties we've experienced in the Chandler & Barnes situations reflect poorly on BC? Thats 2 in a row.

[pk]

@dc: go-to-ball handlers - JJ or Jose. (duh. point guards)
1st scoring option - Bargnani who will create draw the opposition center away from the bucket with his range so he can either blow by him or dump it inside to a slashing DD or Weems.
Clearly you don't watch enough Raps ball.

[Derek S]

Hey Doug,
Hope they can get the deal done with Barnes, think that would be a great addition for the Raps, and hopefully defensive-minded players like Barnes & Barbosa would have their attitude rub off on some of the others.

Not sure exactly what the problem is (everything I've read just says that its "cap related"), but is there a possibility of making this a multi-player deal - perhaps having the Raps getting Brandon Bass to play center, and sending back Calderon and/or Banks expiring contract back the other way?

Would you see Bass as a good fit for the Raps needs for a big man at center?

[pain777pas]

Alright Doug, Barnes is a good pick up. Totally forgot about him. I really thought that Miami would have at least tried. He will really help this squad defensively. He can shoot and get to the basket. I think that he will be liked in Toronto if he plays hard like he did last season filling in for Vince. You know the squad can make the playoffs if they play the right way. What do you think Doug as of right now would you not say that they could sneek in as 7th or 8th seed?

[Dave]

Question: Does a sign-and-trade have to involve only the player being signed, or can another player be included? I keep reading Brandon Bass wants to be traded (or get some PT) I wonder if the Raptors would try to include him in the deal with Barnes for the TPE? It would get some more $ off the books for Orlando, and methinks Bass would fit in well...Maybe not the C the Raps need, but some solid, defensive minutes at PF, and someone who can rebound!