They lose out on Barnes, so what's a team to do now?

So much for Matt Barnes, I guess.

He’s gone to the Lakers, two-years and $3.7 million, and it’s pretty obvious that, all things considered, two-time champs there beats two-time non-playoff team up here.

Barnes probably could have done the same deal in Toronto had he really wanted to be here by forcing the Magic, who could have taken that much of a cap hit to start, into a sign-and-trade transaction.

Didn’t happen and when Toronto’s $4.5 million first-year offer went away, so did he.

Too bad, I still contend he would have been a good basketball fit with the Heroes Of The Hardcourt, bringing them an edge they don’t have.

But, really, can you blame a guy? If he’s going to make the same money anyway, why not go play for the Lakers in the state where he lives and try to win a title rather than come to Toronto and try to squeak into the playoffs.

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So, the question now is what’s next?

If you look over the list of remaining free agents (and here’s a pretty good one courtesy of yahoo.com), I think you can say there’s not a whole lot there that’s even remotely interesting to this team.

Yeah, there are some names you might like and some guys you might think fit but considering what the Raptors are and what they need, there is really squat available on the market now that Barnes is gone.

That means if Bryan’s got a move or two to make – and while maybe he can live with Linas Kleiza and Sonny Weems as his small forwards but he cannot live with that rotation of bigs – he’s going to have to make a deal and use some of the trade exception money he’s got.

Maybe he does try to hit a home run, or maybe he settles for a so-so pickup to round out the roster but I say it’s going to have to come from somewhere other than the list of free agents who might be amenable to a sign-and-trade transaction.

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Wanna do mail?

Since the golf’s already two hours delayed (first tee time now not until 9 a.m. because of the incessant rain hammering us right now), I may have some idle time.

Click here, send away and I can’t wait to hear from you.

Well, most of you.

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I’m not sure if it’s exactly the right analogy but as the pressure to write bore down, it felt like covering a buzzer-beater on Day 2 as Golf Boy.

A guy in the last group setting a course record is not something you plan for, that’s for sure.

One thing we’re allowed to do in this gig is cheer for your story – not a team or a guy or a gal, but your story – and there was a pretty nice one to write about Vance Veazey that was all set to go when Brent Delahoussaye began his assault on the record.

I’m not suggesting we wanted him to make a series of Smith-esque bogeys, doubles and others but, well, I liked the Veazey story a lot.

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Okay, I need to say this to stop the onslaught of e-mails and comments.

No, the Raptors cannot and will not get Chris Paul if, in fact, he’s traded.

Remember way back in the day when we were talking some kind of silly trade and it was suggested by a wise old man that you need to consider any crazy transaction from either side?

Well, if have to gut your team to get a guy like Paul, why in the world do you suppose he’d want to come here? And I can almost guarantee you that a 40-win Eastern Conference team in another country that just lost the best, or second-best, player in franchise history is not alluring to Chris Paul.

Not going to happen.

Seriously.

And don’t talk about the trade exception, okay? If the Hornets lose him and get nothing at all back, they may as well shut the doors that day because the city will shun them and they’ll be on the move again.

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Hey, you want breaking news? Canadian Open in a two-hour delay so if you were headed out to watch a particular player, adjust your schedule accordingly.

Thank you.

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Thing That Make Covering Golf Worse Than Covering Basketball, No. 1

Rain delays.

Borrrrrrrrring.

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Hey, they’re still going over at the under-17 girls worlds in France, you know. Canada gets Argentina later today in the consolation round and then gets either Mali or Turkey to wrap things up.

It’s certainly not what they wanted but I bet finishing with a couple of wins would take some sting out of not being in the top eight. Not much, mind you, but some.

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Oh yeah, got a note that Leo’s team starts workouts here next week.

And this is why I love Canada Basketball now. They’re kicking off the camp with a little happy hour in a saloon I’ve been in before and that’s a pretty good idea, methinks.

Go here to find out more.

Oh, and one I did here a few days ago is that it’s looking less and less and less likely every day that the wheels of government bureaucracy will spin fast enough to get Matt Bonner on the team.

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Comments

[Aditya]

bargnani's understanding of team defence is laughable.....(i am watching raptors rewing on raptors tv)...and i have no more things to say about bargnani..... yes, he can shoot, but so can jason kapono and michael roll...

also, i am not sure why spurs gave richard jefferson the 4 yr 38 mil contract, weren't they just bidding against themselves, since i am not sure any team would give him that much dough over that many years (granted his last year is not guaranteed or is a player/team option)....(actually i know no for sure no team would give him that much dough)

[Aditya]

great article

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-paulfuture072310