Minor move as Raptors ready to see Anthony Carter go

The Anthony Carter era with the Raptors lasted less than a season.

The Raptors are going to try to either move the veteran guard in some transaction or release him in the next week and a half, according to a team source.

Carter served his purpose in a 37-game stint with the Raptors, providing some veteran leadership and filling in as an emergency third-string point guard.

But a desire to use even more youth and wanting to let Carter see if he can hook up with a playoff-bound team if he’s eventually released, led to Tuesday’s move.

The source said there was no one moment that precipitated the move – Carter’s missed the last three games with a stomach muscle problem – and that Carter had done what was expected of him in helping “change the culture” around the team.

Nor should the move be seen as a precursor to any other move; the Raptors are still not expected to be big players leading up to the March 15 NBA trade deadline.

However, if they can find a taker for the 36-year-old Carter and get some kind of asset in return, a minor transaction is possible.

The move also gives the Raptors an open roster spot but there was no indication any move was imminent to fill it.

 

 

 

Comments

[DQ]

For all the talk of future cap flexibilty and organic growth and all that jazz, why is it NOT likely that Barbosa will be moved?

If he signs as a free agent somewhere else next season, is he not then a current asset not being used to his fullest in a trade for at least a pick with a team with current cap space and needs ( Indiana comes to mind)?

If it is decided that BC wants to re-sign him in the offseason, isnt the value of that contract going to be much higher than his actual value to the team?)(wont he be the 5 million range)

I just dont get the logic of keeping him past March 15th. Trade for an asset seems like the best bet, or am I wrong in this thinking? It seems like using him as bait in a three way trade would be the best idea?No?

Thanks Doug

Blogger's note: It's quite simple: If you want a deeper pool of assets to pick from, you create cap flexibility for either a signing or a trade in the summer; if you move him and get anyone back whose contract includes 2012-13 and beyond, you're eating into that space you so covet

[SheikYurbouti]

Why would they release this information now, before they do one or the other?

Blogger's note: They didn't "release" anything; I got it

[Peter]

Just to clarify. Carter is still with the team? Or he's gone and we just don't know if we're getting a roster spot or another player for him. Or is Carter gone already?

Blogger's note: Physically gone

[Wilber]

The Raptors give another Carter away for nothing. Could we at least get the rights to ZO and a couple Williams for him? :)

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

I assume that you have received some sort of 'permission' to write this blog - I understand that Carter is a 'minor' player, but couldn't the release of this information somehow affect possible 'negotiations?' I'm not saying that you were wrong to post this - I just wonder if it's different because it's a 'minor' transaction?

And, I hope things turn out well for Mr. Carter - from all you've written about him, he's one of the good guys.

Blogger's note: Nah, just a piece of news I got on my own.

[Jim Rootham]

Off topic but have you seen this? http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/03/06/mapping_the_nba_how_geography_can_teach_players_where_to_shoot.html?wpisrc=twitter_socialflow

A way to see what's going on in the large without using numbers (and we know how you love numbers).

[RBeezy]

Negotiations for Anthony Carter? What's that, 10 pairs of gym socks instead of 8?

[CL]

what the hell? how are they going to make a transaction if he's already physically left the team? also how do you get anything for AC in the first place? He has (next to) zero value in this league. And what does it mean by "Tuesday's move"... the blogger doesn't specify that he has been cut or traded, then there is no move to speak of...

[Penguin]

If no one want AC, which is distinctly possible as he doesn't seem to have a lot left in the tank, would the Raps consider keeping him in some coaching or scouting role (or some other club want him for that), much like Alvin Williams now does?

When AC is officially off the roster, does this mean the Raps will sign a 10-day backup?

Blogger's note: He's not officially off; nothing is imminent

[SY]

Doug, I have to agree with the assessment of DQ -> as I am not sure how useful the cap space to us anyways. Given that we already have 41 million in committed team salary for 2012-13 + possibly the 4.1 million qualifying offer for Bayless + around 9 million for the two 1st round rookies, we probably have around 6-7 million in cap space assuming the cap limit is 58-60 million for 2012-13. 6-7 million does not really give you a game changer (especially we have to overpay players to come to Toronto) -> might as well try to get some real assets in return for Barbosa.

Barbosa + Derozan + Davis/Gray + 2013 1st for Monta Ellis anyone?

SY

[Boko]

Doesn't Rasual want the same deal?

[doug]

a point that gets lost at times, and in this case it alludes to the one's advocating for or saying that the Raps need to trade Barbosa or not doing so makes no sense...there is a lot to be said for roster stability, to often in this BC regime there has been a revolving door ...you have Casey teaching a new system and players knowing their part in it, you can't continually disrupt that, right now to me the players we should keep moving forward are Barg's, DD,JJ,Kleiza,Barbosa and one of Davis or Amir or in the short-term (next year) even both ...as next year Casey will have JV to incorporate as well as a draft pick kid, and whomever else we get....their has to be a teaching base, also Barbosa is a fine player and much coveted, if a deal knocks BC's socks off then yes, if not you keep him....plus guys like Kleiza and Barbo are invaluable as they are fine with their roles, don't have a hidden agenda, or agents in their ears saying this or that, that to is not easy to come by in the NBA, and partially explains why BC goes after vets like AC,Magliore,Butler to fill out the roster, right there and add in their Gray you have 6 players that Casey doesn't have to worry about....a TEAM to me is much more then salary caps and math, it's a lot of other intangibles...

[Mike D.]

Amen to Carter having helped to change the culture. And he'd still be high on the list of "tough guys I'd want on my team if I were playing in a pickup game on asphalt."

Re the culture change, I don't know if anyone else has noticed this but in opposing coaches' and players' interviews we're starting to hear a recurring theme, game after game, of "our shots just weren't falling tonight". I'm pretty sure the new defensive regime actually has a lot to do with this effect. Long may it continue.

@Wilber, you get my vote for "best comment of the day." Earlier today I was actually musing about how things might have been different if Zo had stayed here and given his best.

[Steve]

I must be the only person in Toronto who thinks Barbosa is worth every cent. Particularly in what is going to still be a very young team next year.

[Boko]

doug, I've got keep AB, AJ, ED and bring in JV as the 4th big ...
keep DD & JJ, but bring in a starting swing, and use JB as the 4th swing ...
keep JC at point, but bring in a brand new passing PG as his sub. JB can be the emergency sub here.
That leaves LK & GF out of the rotation, and ...
I dislike the 3rd string vets BC brought in. I'd rather have rookies with upside to them.

[LeeZ]

Doug, shame on you for not giving @Wilbur your coveted "ding ding ding!!!" award! I literally laughed out loud. Alright, maybe "laughed" is too strong. But I did chuckle...

[GM]

I'm not in Toronto, @Steve, so you may be right. But out here in the hinterlands, I believe Barbosa is worth every cent, too. And I like @doug's comment on roster stability. Barbosa's no stiff and he's probably the quickest guy in the league still. He's a role player who knows his role, never gives less than his all, and is happy to be where he is. I'm doubtful the Raps would get anyone better to replace him.

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

Have you been forwarding all of this expert advice from the commenters to Bryan? I am sure that he could use their help, not having much experience running a team!

[Rob]

What about Calderon and Bargnani for Dwight and a piece?
The $ works, it gets us out of commitments to 2 guys that we don't want going forward. The only downside is that the "Trade Machine" predicts a 5 win increase for us, limiting our chances at getting a better pick.

[JHK]

@Wilber:
Maybe the right to Alonzo Gee? Unfortunately, there are no Williams in Cavs...

[Steve]

What people miss with the whole Dwight thing is that he holds all the cards. Nobody wants to give up what they will have to give up to get him unless he is willing to sign a contract extension, otherwise they only get him for the rest of the season and then he is free to leave again. Any talk of him coming to a team like Toronto is completely ignoring this.

To me this means the most likely outcome is he doesn't go anywhere before the trade deadline.

[The J]

@Steve - but maybe this is exactly what Rob was saying, you trade for Dwight just like you would any other player with an expiring contract. No he's not coming back, but you'll get even more flexibility for next year. Personally, I wouldn't do it, since I think Bargs should remain part of the core, and I rather get something more than cap room back for Jose.

[Rob]

Exactly what I was saying. I don't see either of them in the long term plans, but they are eating up a bunch of cap space. I'd be surprised if Orlando would do it though...which is a little depressing when you think about it. They won't trade a guy that they'll likely lose and get nothing back rather than take 2 of ours.