Don't let the money burn a hole in your pocket

Wow, it was nice to wake up, grab the paper off the porch and see the sports section actually filled with words instead of blank white space.

Thanks to the good graces of the pros I work with, that assignment gig worked out all right.

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Anyway, how about that transaction, eh? Couple of first-rounders and some money in the bank.

I was going to go through the comments and e-mails decrying the lack of assets obtained for Bosh but figured I’d have another coffee instead.

Now, the picks are okay I guess – get their own back, when Heat finish their 82-0 season their first-rounder won’t be so good – but the trade exception is huge.

And puts a lot of pressure on Bryan.

What it does is allow him to obtain a player or players without giving anyone up in return, if he wants.

It’s like having a salary cap credit of $14.5 million and that’s not a bad thing to have in the pocket.

I presume he’ll go looking for a team with tax issues that might want to dump a good player with a big deal and see what he can work out.

He could also be the king-making in a multi-team deal since he can help one capped out team get the guy it wants – and pick up an asset or two in the process – by being the middle man in some deal.

But here’s the big question:

When?

Do you do it now or wait until the season unfolds and see what’s going on around the league? Do you try to make a little move now and save some of exception for later on?

Do you make a big splash this summer?

Me?

I wait a little bit.

Maybe, just maybe, if I can find a free agent out there now who might be amenable to coming in some kind of sign-and-trade transaction I would make a tiny summer deal but I’d hang on to the biggest chunk of it – and I’m talking $9 million at least, probably $10 million – until the season unfolds and things start to really shake out.

And not only shake out with the Raptors but shake out around the league; teams may be quite willing to sacrifice salary once they realizing the year’s going down the toilet and there may be relative bargains to be had.

There is no sense charging willy-nilly around the league now just to spend the currency like a drunken sailor. I think it’s more prudent to sit back a bit and see how other things unfold.

Trust me, there are other chats going on between Bryan and his GM confreres right now that could result in even more additions and subtractions to the roster as it exists right now.

I say wait and see what comes of those talks before wandering around trying to spend the entire exception in one fell swoop.

It’s not the sexy thing to do. It’s the most prudent, though.

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How ‘bout them kids, eh?

Beating China to get into the semis at the world under-17s is a huge accomplishment; if they come back from Germany with a medal it’ll be something they can truly crow about.

It’ll be an upset of biblical proportions should they manage to knock off the Americans today but bronze would certainly be a significant result if they go lose-win over the weekend.

I’m not sure how this all plays out in the long run for the senior team – there’s an awful lot of growing and developing to do before suggesting many of these teens will wear Canada jerseys at the highest level – but the thing that Wayne Parrish and Maurizio Gherardini and Roy Rana and Leo Rautins and Greg Francis are doing is making the program relevant to kids who play the game.

That’s the big win here.

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Big, big, big news.

I mean big.

Mighty Yankees win!

Yep, got the first W of the season Friday night, hit the crap out of the ball, fielded it like a group of 12-, 13-, and 14-year-old Johnny Macs and pitched like a gaggle of tiny Sandy Koufaxes.

No stopping us now.

(Well, maybe there is, but we like to think big in Yankeeland).

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I am quite disappointed in some of you.

I make a tiny gaffe and none of you catches it? Not one e-mail chastising me for being a boneheaded doofus (hey, I should run for office); only one gentle reminder from an old friend?

Shame, shame.

I’ll get it fixed up when I get in the office and find out who does the fixing up around there but the Miracle on Hardwood that I referenced in the under-17 story was actually in 1983, not 1984.

Oops.

Sorry.

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I’m going to get into this a bit more at the start of the week when we go through all the free agent signings and see who’s actually done what but consider this:

After seeing the money being thrown around -- $19 million to JJ Redick, $34 million to Amir Johnson, $40 million to Tyrus Thomas, $75 million or so Carlos Boozer, $35 million to Travis Outlaw – the guy I want to be is the dude from the union who starts the CBA negotiations for real. He’s going to sit across from David Stern and say,

“You say you’re losing how much? Yeah. Right.”

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Vamos Uruguay!

Yes, I know I’ve picked against them a couple of games and have been chided oh, so gently by a friend who’s tried to show me the error of my ways but today I’m thinking Forlan does something magical and they get a win.

I’m pretty much against these kinds of third place games in tournaments like this – it’s a total letdown for the players and their fans – but if they’re going to play it, may as well pick a winner, right?

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Last call for mail. Send the cards and letters by clicking here, please and thanks.

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All right, off to steer the ship one more day and since there won’t be another soul in the joint until 4 or so, I’m trying to decide between nap and party.

Whaddya think?

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Comments

[Peter]

Nap, then party.

[Bob]

Party, then nap!

[erc]

I'm very afraid. Been thinking the same way you are regarding the trade exception and waiting til things shake out next season. Next thing I'll be believing Pops should have been cut loose SOONER for making the rest of the guys look lethargic and Artest really IS a cancer on any team he goes to.

[Pat]

BC should hire Stephen A Smith, so he will know which players are leaving Canada next and to get advise on which of the players available for the TPE can handle weather colder than 90 degrees F.
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The NBA is officially a joke after what took place this week. If they want to regain some credibility they will launch an investigation for possible collusion in Miami. The three clowns have already admitted they were planning this for a few years now. When did Riley find out? Is it just a coincidence that he cleared enough room to grab them all?

[Chris]

Sorry Doug - You have got to support the Germans. At least they don't use their hands on the goal-line to rob other teams!

[Stan Charles]

I agree completely, no need to make a splash this summer. Let the young guys develop, see what assets we have, then use the TPE at the trade deadline when we'll likely have more leverage over capped-out teams. 2 questions, if you'll indulge me: 1) about Turk, I had a brainwave that he might be a fit in Chicago; a Boozer-Turk pick and roll could be good and although Rose dominates the ball his slashing ability would be useful with a facilitator like Turk, and we could potentially get Luol Deng back, what do you think? 2) What is Washington doing? They will obviously still try to move Arenas and likely Hinrich too, what are the chances the Raps end up with Hinrich? Arenas is clearly the only big name left unresolved this summer, and I think Arenas goes to Cleveland.

[Kate Condon]

Yay for the Mighty Yankees!

[Eric in Nova Scotia]

No matter what Bryan C.'s eventual Raptors legacy becomes, his long-term impact on basketball in this country is his commitment to promoting the national team(s), with the major component of involving Maurizio Gherardini. I hope Gherardini receives some kind of big public recognition for his role while he is still connected to the Raptors -- some kind of presentation during a Raptors game?

[Seemonkey]

Doug, I don't think you need to choose between nap and party; if you start the party early enough an afternoon nap will follow. Have a good one.

[Baljit]

I am glad that we were able to work out a sign and trade letting Bosh go for nothing would be foolish now we have some assets. I would also not spend it all right now as you want flexibility going forward and a lack of this has hurt us in the past. Please move Turk... Mike Miller 5 years -30 million you can find bargains Coangelo just no more(no offense to these guys) Roko Ukic or Will Solomon's signings.

[Craig A]

Would the Raptors be interested in Al Jefferson? Apparently Minnesota wants to trade him as they don't think Jefferson and Love can work together.

Blogger's note: I don't think so, have never once heard his name mentioned in even casual conversation

[JJ]

Put me in the "wait to use the trade exception" camp too! Unless a great opportunity presents itself, I'd be fine waiting until the trade deadline or even next year's draft when it potentially could net a top pick if some team is panicky about unloading a contract before the lockout/new CBA.

How many other teams have a trade exception? Utah (from Boozer)? Cleveland (from LeBron)? Phoenix (from Amare)? Dallas with the Dampier contract until the end of July? Anybody else? That's already a lot of competition

[DaveT]

Amazing prediction. Diego Forlan has been spectacular, even playing with a thigh injury for a game and a half. And I don't think I'm the only one who thinks if they had anywhere close to a full squad (add Lugano, Fucile, Lodeiro, even leaving out Suarez because, well, he deserved the 1 game suspension though I don't call the move cheating at all) and add Doug Smith of The Star to play center-back instead of Victorino and you've very **possibly** got a Spain-Uruguay final.

Vamos Uruguay! Buena suerte!

[doug]

yes the trade exception is a big deal and as you say how he utilizes will be key, for the team and maybe even BC's future....I am a b-ball fan, remember dribbling the ball around the neighborhood when i was 13 as i was walking to the store etc....I just loved the game then as i do now....but the shenanigans of this last week, just leave me a little ashamed for all involved...Stern for just being about the ratings, televison exposure should never have allowed that Lebron spectacle, Pat Riley, people talk about the 3 amigos and their egos, but if anyone doesn't think his ego is needing stroked then their wrong , as he watches Phil out in L.A. win title after title, be announced in same breath as one the greatest coaches ever....Pat was a old L.A. guy, so yea Pat's on a wee bit of a mission....anf finally the 3 amigos how can they hold their head's high?, Bosh came back from the all-star break a changed man (we now no why), James packed it in, in the playoffs, why?...just to unite and be as one...Athos,Aramis and Porthos they are not ....wasn't a good week to be a b-ball fan, but then you look around and see the under 17's doing there thing...looks good on them , and nice contrast to the NBA debacle....

[chris]

Doug - I wouldn't go "decrying" anyone. If Lebron doesn't join Miami, Pat Riley has no reason to do the S&T and there are no assets. Plus, if you go back in your archives you thought it was the right thing to do to keep Bosh, to sign Hedo, to let Hedo rest at beginning of the year, and to sign Kapono.

Hardly in a position to be "decrying" anyone.

Okay, rant over -- question....do you think Riley/TheHeat were caught tampering and Stern "influenced" those S&Ts. I can't think of any reason why Riley gave us 2 picks......or why they gave 2 picks to Cleveland. There is a TON of evidence out there to suggest tampering. I wonder if Stern had a quiet hand in this somehow.

[Michel G]

Chris wrote: "Sorry Doug - You have got to support the Germans. At least they don't use their hands on the goal-line to rob other teams!" Only in soccer would that be considered cheating. In any other sport it's considered taking one for the team.

[Sean]

will you be watching summer league?... i know that you can only tell "who cant play" but im looking forward to seeing Ed Davis play & w/ Sonny, Joey & DD they could be the most dominant summer league team in nba history :/ hhaha if you weren't excited b4 I bet you are now. lol... or maybe not

[DougG]

If Farmer goes to Miami I'd use the TPE now to grab Chris Paul, and if he is not available, Steve Nash. The NBA could use Nash in Canada right about now. Then I would trade Calderon to LA for Bynum.
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I also find the reported Bosh comments in the media, that the three players have been planning this for 2 years now, strange. The way Bosh played it here in Toronto, right up until the end, is he hadn't made up his mind yet and everyone in the media said they believed him, which I'm sure they did. In that spectacle the other night Lebron said he hadn't made up his mind either, until he had a dream or vision that morning, and then his Moma told him she wanted him out of town.

[Alan C.]

Doug, why would Miami agree to this sign and trade? Bosh won't be getting the max, and I can't imagine that the extra year would mean that much to either Bosh or the Heat. Just signing him would also put an Eastern competitor in a hole for a long time. Are there cap benefits to Miami that I just don't understand? Some GMs' informal code of conduct?

Blogger's note: No real benefit except control over an asset for an extra year

[AT]

Nap for sure.

The end result of the raptors getting the two first rounders back, and beasley being shipped out of Miami, does that mean Beasley could have been a Raptor if Bryan said OK?

Blogger's note: Yep

[AT]

Sorry Doug, forgot to ask. Was the pick that was Toronto's that came back in this deal, lottery protected?
And what happens when that happens like this year? Does Miami still get something from Toronto? when the pick is in the lottery

Blogger's note: The Miami pick is lottery protected; the other one is Toronto's

[Young James]

I totally agree with the "wait and see approach" ....so much is still going to unfold. After seeing T Thomas get 40 million and T Outlaw getting 35 million - Amir's contract is worth it. He looked good alot of times last year. He developed a nice little jumper (still needs some work) but it was coming around nicely. Yes he needs to cut down on the fouls, but his upside is great and his ablity to show he can learn and approve makes me think he will be more aware of his fouls this year. Call me crazy but I like this team, I like the pieces..young, athletic, three solid additions in Klieza, Davis and Soloman, proven producers in Barngani, JJ, Calderon Turks is still a terrific player (one year removed from the allstar game) now we have the trade money to add parts even a solid piece and another great player. Not much is said about our coaching staff, behind Jay sits some great respected basket ball minds in the game today - I like it.

[Matt]

Our good friend Alonzo "Mourning-going to Canada" also had a quote yesterday to the effect of this has been in the works for a long time. Sketchy.

As for what the Raptors should do - I'm not a Jose hater, but they need to get rid of him and get a young point guard with the possibility to blossom in to a bonafide superstar. JJ is a great backup. I know there has been a lot of talk and I've mentioned it here a couple of times as well: Darren Collison. I've been drooling over him since mid-season when Paul went out. Granted I have no idea of his work ethic or attitude, but if they are all good, get him. 3 more years on a rookie deal, then 3-5 years on a healthy salary. He'd be locked up for 6-8 years before worrying about another T-Mac, VC, Bosh episode. By that time he'd have the majority of his better days over with (unless he has a career like Jason Kidd or John Stockton).
DOUG: can you think of any young point guards with lots of potential who could be had? Johnny Flynn maybe re: whole Rubio situation?

Blogger's note: Teams have a tendency to keep good young point guards with lots of potential so I don't see any that can be had

[Rob S]

I think the Wade/Bosh/James in Miami is a bad move overall for the NBA, as it concentrates too many top players on one team. Basically it creates a league where only a few teams will be able to compete for a title. I think half the games Miami will play will be blow outs by half time....so who will 1) pay to see these games or 2) watch the whole game when the sports channels will provide us the best moments.

I noticed the Miami 3 all have early termination options after 4 years so we can all go through this "free agent frenzy" again in 4 years. Do you think the league, owners and GMs will try and bring in any rules to prevent this type of "star cluster" free agent moves at the same time?

I think the Toronto and Cleveland clubs might like a rule, but once the Heat run over most of the league the idea might gain some support.

[CARLoS M.]

Doug, in one line you say that you are "pretty much against these kinds of third place games" re:soccer but then you praise the benefits of the 3rd place game for the under-17s. Which is it?

Blogger's note: If they're going to play them --and I'm not huge fan of them -- it'd be nice for a Canadian team to get a medal in one.