Raptors do a little bit of free-agent wooing

The Raptors are doing a little bit of mid-season free agent shopping.

Wilson Chandler, who just completed one season in China, was in town Wednesday being wooed by the Raptors, who covet the versatile forward.

Chandler, it should be noted, also visited this week with his former team, the Denver Nuggets, and there is nothing imminent brewing although it won’t be long until he decides where he’d like to spend at least the rest of this season.

Chandler, who averaged 12.5 points a game for the Nuggets in the 2010-11 season, is a restricted free agent. Denver also covets him but with the Nuggets having already made a substantial commitment to Danilo Gallinari and with a bloated payroll compared to what the Raptors will have to dish out next season, the financial ramifications are unclear.

The Raptors have coveted the 6-8 Chandler since before this season began but once he was committed to spending the entire season with the Zhejiang Lions in China, the interest cooled just a little bit.

But with an offensively-challenged team, adding someone with Chandler’s skills would be a huge boost to Toronto’s fortunes.

Chandler would still need to get a letter of clearance from the Chinese league and FIBA before being able to return to the NBA but that’s seen as merely a formality now.

 

 

 

Comments

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hi Doug,
What's the timing here? Chandler's now officially finished in China for his season there? He's eligible to return to the NBA as of/before the trading deadline?
If so, and if he decides to sign on with Toronto, what happens to the current roster? And how would signing Chandler affect the dollars BCo will have left to work with, both now (trading deadline) and next summer/fall?
Cheers. Go BCo!

Blogger's note: Someone would have to go, they have 15; as soon as he gets clearance from FIBA and the Chinese league -- which should happen any day and is a mere formality -- he's eligible to come back, as Kenyon Martin just did

[George McGovern]

Weeks ago, I predicted this would happen.

Blogger's note: That the Raps have interest in Chandler? Just weeks?

[Peter]

Hi Doug,

Any idea of what type of contract the Raptor's would consider offering? Years? Money? Obviously they don't want to hurt their financial position, but they also seem to have a candidate for a long term position with this team.

Blogger's note: Let's just say it's complicated; am gathering info now, more in the morning but NOTHING is close to happening

[Henry]

Is Sonny Weems coming back? We miss him... how's he doing btw?

Blogger's note: No. And I have no clue