Raptors will add Pietrus for 2nd round pick

News!

This is why I get up early, I guess.

Just got a note from an alert reader pointing out this to me, a report that says the Raptors are going to sign Mickeal Pietrus when the free agency period opens this afternoon.

Haven’t got confirmation yet – some people must not be up yet – but, on its face, it’s not a bad deal as long as it meets Bryan’s criteria of not being too expensive or too long a contract.

Guess I’ll have something to do this morning.

(And it's done; a conditional second round pick goes out to Phoenix, if Pietrus passes a physical and the fact he's got one year and $5.3 million left on his deal makes it a perfect fit for what Bryan wants to do)

Pietrus, in case you forgot, is a 6-6 small forward, played in Golden State, Orlando and finished last year in Phoenix and has long been a favourite of some of the folks in Toronto’s front office.

Stick around, we’ll get more when we can.

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Wow.

Chris Paul’s a Laker when a guy goes to bed and a few hours later when the alarm rings Chris Paul’s still a Hornet and the NBA is the laughingstock of professional sports on a day when it was supposed to re-open for business and start asking fans for forgiveness.

Guess none of us should sleep.

In case you missed it, the league – for “basketball reasons” – nixed a blockbuster trade that would have seen Paul go from the Hornets to Lakers, Houston get Pau Gasol and the New Orleans get Lamar Odom, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic and a first-round draft pick.

Funny thing? Since there was no way that Paul was staying in New Orleans when his contract expires after this bastardized 66-game season, grabbing Odom, Scola, Martin, Dragic and a pick (originally New York’s and likely in the middle of the first round of what everyone says is a stellar draft) is more than I thought they’d ever get.

That’s not Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, the right to pay Alonzo Mourning not to show and Joey Graham, that’s for sure.

These were veteran, wise NBA GMs who put this deal together – Daryl Morey in Houston, Mitch Kupchak in Los Angeles, Dell Demps doing what he could to maximize a difficult situation – and the league blew smoke in their faces. This was not Ted Steptien, this was, on its face, as good a deal as was out there.

That aside, and you can even debate if a gutted Lakers team would have been any better, the totality of the ridiculousness of the situation is what’s most troubling.

The league, of course, owns the Hornets, a scary and stupid proposition to begin with because situations like this could arise.

Having superstar players demand trades – and it’s happened in the past, is happening now, will happen in the future, get used to it – is nothing to get worked up about.

Chris Paul did what he was contracted to do. He played in New Orleans, gave it his best, made the franchise relevant and if he wanted to move eventually, that’s his right. The fact he gave his employer notice can even be seen as a good thing, he didn’t pull a LeBron or a Bosh and walk away for nothing.

Apparently, according to everything I read, a group of owners – chief among them Cleveland’s Dan Gilbert, who should really just keep quiet and count the money LeBron James made him – scuttled by complaining to David Stern about the “competitive balance” issue.

Right. They should be more concerned with making their own franchises better, hiring better people, making bold moves, doing something rather than whining.

Anyway … the biggest loser seems to be David Stern, who looks a bit like an ineffectual puppet to a new group of aggressive owners who will whine and complain until they get their way.

What happens now is anyone’s guess. There are conflicting reports on whether or not Paul will report when camp opens today, Gasol and Scola and the others are in limbo and the league’s a joke, a punchline, a comedy, just when it needs to be most forward-looking, more apologetic, most thankful that fans seem interested after being screwed around all summer.

Kinda sucks, doesn’t it?

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Now, back to, you know, stuff.

I cannot believe I missed it yesterday.

Dec. 8, 1980. John Lennon. Shot.

And if this isn't the single greatest song ever written, for lyrics and music and message, I don’t know what is.

I remember walking into the work at the Woodstock Sentinel-Review the Tuesday morning after the assassination, a bit stunned, having heard the news from Howard Cosell, and seeing a crusty old wire editor at his desk.

He gave it a bit of a yawn, said something like “one down, three to go” and he should have been slapped. But I was a respectful kid.

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The Raptors?

Hmm, let’s see.

Magloire’s and will be done today (read all about it here), everyone under contract is here and all we need now to find out today who the other two or three inconsequential free agents and how many warm bodies they might invite in a fodder.

Usually, a team likes to have 17 or 18 guys in camp, just so everyone doesn’t get too worn down or banged up with the two-a-day-workouts. Wasn’t able to reach any of The Henchmen yesterday to find out what’s up here but if they have more than 15 in, I’d be surprised. There isn’t any time to waste with guys who are simply warm bodies, Dwane Casey needs to maximize his teaching with the players who’ll be here.

Oh yeah, had a nice chat with Linas Kleiza after he got some work in.

Looks like mid-January for him to be back.

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Is it just me or has some of the air come out, locally at least, of this UFC thing?

Am told you can still buy a ticket for Saturday’s big roll-around-on-the-mat-kicking-and-holding-for-eternity event and there seems to be a distinct lack of buzz.

I’m quite fine with that, actually. If they had it in my back yard I’d sit on the front porch and all it’s going to do this weekend is screw with the grunts trying to do their training camp jobs.

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Twitter’s new slogan is Yours To Discover.

What? They don’t have google at their office?

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Comments

[Tim H.]

All this talk of 'stacking' the deck, putting all the superstars on one team - no one seemed to complain when this happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PLq0_7k1jk

And, you have to admit, Roy is one of the most distinctive voices in music.

[Bill]

It is pretty clear from Dan Gilbert's letter that he is at least as pissed off about not getting the money that he would have received from the Lakers paying all that luxury tax as another superstar picking his own designation.

And what now? How can anyone have any confidence in discussing any deal with Demp anymore? Why should we even care anymore?

[CC]

I hope people will say sorry to BC...

"Adrian Wojnarowski: Portland's Brandon Roy has been diagnosed with a "career-ending (knee) injury," league source confirms to Y! Sports. "He's done."

[jc]

not sure if you saw Phil Jackson's quote foreseeing this last year but he comes across pretty sharp. That said, I think NO has about six players on their roster...how will they be allowed to sign anyone else?

[JT]

I think the NBA has become a complete and utter joke. With the reports of Howard demanding a trade to the Nets and playing with D.Will and the NBA nixing a decent trade, I really don't see a point in having 30 teams in this league when the superstars in this league all play together within 6-8 teams in this league. The rest of the teams are left with young players trying to prove themselves and if they do, will also demand to go to these teams. It's almost like the rest of the teams are a minor leagues to see if they can graduate to the top teams in the leagues.

[Lorie]

What's Going On, Doug???
Listening to the radio at work and the announcer reports (and I am NOT making this up): "...and The Sun's Doug Smith reports that Mickeal Pietrus will be signed...". Yikes! What a day! Cheers! (Although slightly confused ones...you are still with The Star, right?)

Blogger's note: I am not going anywhere; at least not of my own volition

[Phil A]

I don't understand the reasoning behind vetoing the Chris Paul trade. The Hornets were getting Scola, Odom and Martin and these players would bring a balanced scoring attack. It could be argued that the Hornets got better with that trade. Houston got an all star in Gasol and were bidding for the services of Nene. It's really unfortunate that these general managers put so much time and effort in getting the right value for trading off certain players and next thing you know, the league blocks off the trade.

[Mike kovacs]

With apologies to Second city, I thought that our slogan had changed to 'Yours To Recover'!

[Julien]

Hi Doug, just to tell you that you were quoted in the main French sports newspaper as the one who found out about the Pietrus trade ;)

http://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/breves2011/20111209_180946_mickael-pietrus-vers-les-raptors.html

Have a nice day !

[skiff]

This New Orleans thing can't hold up, can it? I mean, is the union going to just sit back and do nothing? Are the Lakers and Rockets going to do nothing? Can Chris Paul sue over this? Are the players ivolved returning to their teams like nothing happened? Will NO fans be happy when Paul leaves for nothing in 8 months? Will b-ball even survive in NO after this? What player is signing with NO at this point, and they can't even field a team right this moment!? What player is signing with the Cavs and their lunatic owner? Is Irving really going to stay there after seeing what a d-bag he is?

Honestly, this is the most perplexed I've ever been as a sports fan (and that's really saying something). People may not like stars picking their teams, but it's always been that way in the NBA (Kareem anyone), and I'm pretty sure the players didn't sign an agreement that allows the league to ditacte where players can play!

And to the folks that say good for the league, let him walk for less maney in the summer....really!?! You want your team to get NOTHING for a top 10 assest? You want to watch a lousy team for the next 5 years because you wanted to make some obscure point about player/owner politics? Really?!? The Raptors are a great example of this, but not for the reasons written here. Between VC & CB we got essentially NOTHING for prime of career players. Is it a coincidence there's been maybe 10 meaningful games by this team over that period? I'm guessing not. It may not be the whole reason, but it's a significant contributor to it all.

I'm with Chris Paul's twitter account on this one....WOW!

[aaron]

The NBA owns the New orleans so any owner can say no to a move. Look at Jordan last year saying no to the raptors deal. As an owner you have the right to veto deals. The fact is the Lakers won bigtime in this deal. They got the best player and 15 million of cap room to sign a power foward and some other players. I'm happy that the owners of the new orleans hornets said this is ridiculous. Remember the owners own the NBA.

[james]

Perhaps the league should own all the teams and decide where each player goes. Then competitive balance could be enforced. The next step could be the WWE model of scripting the games for maximum dramatic effect.
I've always liked Pietrus; his defence should please the coach.
And, oh yes: "If they had it in my back yard I’d sit on the front porch". Amen brother!

[Lake Simcoe]

If CP3 is gone, David West will surely follow, then who will buy NO?
If CP3 joins LA, Howard very likely follow, wow...NBA becomes a pure entertainment...

While there is justification to finger at some owners not doing the right thing and are not good enough. Is it too easy also for some others, not doing anything good, but keep stealing star powers again and again, just because they have a big market?

[Tim W]

Pietrus is good, I prefer the whitewash lineup that BC was previously pursuing, but I guess he caved to public sentiment. Maybe Adam Morrison would have fit better.

[SheikYurbouti]

I think there's a perspective getting very little attention regarding this Chris Paul trade block. The N.O. GM may well have swung a deal to make the Hornets more competitive right now, but is it in the best interests of the team long term, or more importantly the interests of selling the team.

Keep in mind, the NBA has been looking for a new owner for NO for some time now. They may have some insider info on what the prospective owners’ concerns have been. They look at this deal, which either chews up, or exceeds, all cap space for a team that will lose money, perhaps get close or barely make the playoffs, taking them out of the lottery in a stacked draft. I think most people, including the entire media, seem to be affected by the shock in all the outrage that’s being expressed and it’s clouding the view of a wiser business decision.
I wonder how the deal itself got leaked. The GM shouldn't have had complete authority to make such a big move without the owners' (the League) approval, so was it leaked before being finalized. Is the big uproar being caused by a media leak that shouldn't have happened?

[Matt M]

I'm very happy that the proposed Pietrus has not descended into more anti-European rants among commenters on this blog. Hopefully all the people that think you can judge talent by a player's passport have moved on to watch hockey.

[GM]

If the last two days have proved anything, it's that this space is primarily a basketball space, despite the new generic name. 99% of commenters are talking hoops, as it should be. Editors, take note! Keep in the other stuff, but know where your bread is buttered!

[J]

I'm shocked at the lack of outrage over the Pietrus news:

NO MORE GODDAMN EUROS! (heavy, dripping sarcasm here)

Maybe people are growing up after all?

[Vancouver]

"Twitter’s new slogan is Yours To Discover.

What? They don’t have google at their office?"

Hahaha, this had me rolling!

Doug, you still got it!!!!

[doug]

I was at work and thinking of this trade veto...and Stern and the league has to do something to save face, it's a utter sham, the league has lost so much credibility, and moreso Stern....and to those that complain about players demanding trades, are you not aware this has been going on in the NBA for years and years and it won't change...excellent article by Zach Lowe on S.I's site and here is a excerpt from it, here is a example that could be talked about today except it happened 40 years ago , and a all-time great did it...

"The larger point is this: Stars have leverage in basketball, and they always will, unless you want to return to the reserve system that Oscar Robertson fought against 40 years ago. Robertson, by the way, negotiated himself a no-trade clause in Cincinnati and vetoed a deal in 1970 that would have sent him to Baltimore. Why? Because he preferred a deal to Milwaukee, where he could team up with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He got his way.

None of this is new. Stars dominate the game and tilt the balance of power when they move, and they’ll want to move when they’re unhappy. Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and Tim Duncan are not unhappy, and so they have not moved and have no plans to. New Orleans and Orlando had more than a half-decade to make their stars happy, and both of them came close; the Magic made the Finals in 2009 and should have again the next season, and the Hornets nearly won the West’s top seed in 2008 before injuries, whiffed draft picks and poor free-agency signings doomed them to mediocrity."

[GM]

@Matt M and @J, I wouldn't hold out hope that people are growing up afterall. I've always suspected "European" was always just code for "white".

[Bob Wesley]

Hey Doug,did the Raptors sign Gary Forbes?

Blogger's note: Offer sheet, give it a few days

[parker]

apparently we are getting gary forbes to ??

Blogger's note: He's restricted, offer sheet going out; it'll be a few days, if Denver doesn't match

[Avinash]

Hya Doug,
So the Magic let G. Arenas go via "the amnesty provision of the new collective bargaining agreement". Could you please shed a little light on this amnesty provision of the new CBA?

Regards,

Blogger's note: One player per team can be released, team gets cap and tax relief, player gets all his money; other teams can "bid" on contract for new player