And the phones start ringing right away

About 25 minutes, as I recall.

That’s all it took from the time I first heard that Rajon Rondo was likely to have season-ending knee surgery until the first e-mail arrived suggesting the Raptors trade one of their point guards to the Celtics.

Wonder why it took so long?

Seriously, it’s only logical that a team in need of a point guard would come calling the Raptors, who have two with varying degrees of amenable contracts and diverse skills.

And the Celtics now have a need.

But I don’t see a good fit for Toronto either way, actually.

It’s not like this team here at this time in its development needs any of the old Celtics – Paul Pierce is the name you’ll hear floated out there more than any in that group – and any young players Boston have they’d want to keep as they try to move on from this aging group.

Do you do Kyle Lowry and his desirable contract (only $1 million guaranteed next year on about a $6 tab) for a pick or two and some backup kids?

Is there a fit that lets you deal Jose Calderon and his much more expensive deal (about $10 million) without taking on contracts past this year and not screw up next summer’s cap flexibility? And what kind of package could you get back that does that while improving a Toronto team that would then be missing arguably its most important piece?

A quandary, no? And one that Bryan is going to face every time he takes a call from any other general manager around the league.

Personally, and I don’t imagine this will surprise anyone, I’d look to move Lowry first for a couple of reasons.

And, no, it’s not at all because he’s a bad guy or a disruptive force or is doing anything to cause trouble around the team.

It’s just that his contract is attractive and what you could get back money-wise wouldn’t hamper your ability to move forward this summer too much.

A Calderon deal would have to be a blockbuster and no team is likely to deal expiring contract for expiring contract so you’d really be banking on the guy or guys you get back would make the difference for years to come.

This is a delicate time in this team’s growth as the plan unfolds. There are good young pieces in place – no stud, but good young pieces – and making a move in the next month or so is going to have repercussions for some time to come.

-

Oh, I’m going to say this and take the slings and arrows.

Rajon Rondo was, and will be, a delight to watch on a basketball court; he is a gifted, creative spark who epitomizes point guard play these days.

He also took games off when he didn’t think they mattered and when he didn’t care and I remember him loafing through a game here against Toronto when it looked as if he’d rather had been some other place.

I hope he recovers quickly and fully and has a long career of great games against good teams on national TV.

-

Hmm.

Golden State’s here tonight? They call Oakland home. Oakland’s in the Bay Area. So …

-

Speaking of trades, Mike D of Toronto wonders in a leftover from the mail:

Q: It's more or less obligatory for players to answer questions about potential trade rumours with some combination of "I never think about it; if it happens, it happens" and "It's a business." Can you suggest a few responses that, from the perspective of story opportunities or just personal entertainment, you'd rather hear?

A: Heck, yeah.

Here are five in no particular order:

“If they do it, thank heavens for small mercies.”

“It’s a good team calling, right? Playoff money?”

“I don’t know if it’s true but if you can make it happen, please go right ahead.”

“They don’t have Customs there, right?”

“Yes! My 15 per cent trade kicker with kick in!”

-

Speaking of Golden State, there’s no a lot of doubt in my mind that the variety of uniforms the Warriors wear make them the best decked-out team in the league, right?

I love the one with the cable car but the newest edition looks great, too.

It’s always fun to turn on a game and see what they’re wearing.

-

Just gonna throw this out there for no real reason to those who watched the end of the Celtics-Heat on Sunday afternoon.

Anyone notice how, with about 90 seconds left and down two, the Heat blew an inbounds play and turned the ball over?

And if you did, I’m pretty sure you stuck around to watch the Celtics, up one with 25.1 left, get forced into blowing their last timeout of regulation time because they couldn’t get the ball in, a timeout they could have really used when they had a possession with two seconds left in regulation and when they couldn’t call a timeout.

Figure that’s on Doc and Spoelstra, right? They need to get better coaching there or practice out of bounds plays more often.

-

A bit of piling on and, no, I didn’t watch a second but did you read this story about the 62-35 Pro Bowl?

Yeah, that’s a game that can go the way of the do-do bird and I can’t imagine anyone would miss it.

Sounds like it makes the NBA all-star game like old Lakers-Celtics battles of the 80s by comparison.

-

So we’re at the Red Party Remix – an outstanding event that raised a lot of money for a worthy cause and everyone should be congratulated – and all the players and coaches are there bowling and shooting pool and playing ping-pong and schmoozing at lots of levels.

And the most popular guy in the house?

Might have been Alvin Williams, every time I wandered past his little corner of the room there were pictures being snapped and autographs signed and people going ga-ga.

Good for him.

-

 

 

Comments

[Keith Wagar]

Two things. First, we do realize that Jose has the top shooting percentage of any starting guard in the NBA.. Ahead of Kobe, ahead of Rondo, ahead of Paul --- all of them Second, still steamed over Sat night's ending. Would that not have been the time to pull out some sort of defensive variation like oh full court prss, trap, double team --- anything to slow down Irving and maybe make him give it up? Anything but stand there and watch him shoot.

Blogger's note: No one was supposed to stand there and watch him shoot

[doug]

@Bill one major flaw in that reasoning is that Nash is a far superior shooter then Kidd, many overlook that part of his game....me I am a fan of trading Calderon, the sooner the better...as the team is what he is when he plays, , he's a solid ball player but time for this team to move in a different direction, in terms of a guard that creates more off the dribble and drive, up-tempo and able to score his own consistently.....and I don't get pointing out others and their in-bounding the ball deficiencies, does that make the raptors more acceptable with theirs?, that's mind-boggling thinking, thats like your kid having a 11 curfew and comes him at 1 because his best friend has a later curfew, whats one got to do with the other, one doesn't make the others actions acceptable...there is no connection or should be used as a excuse...ok cheers..

[Michel G]

All this schoolyard bickering and name-calling by all concerned is disappointing.

The Raptors gave up a guaranteed lottery pick for Lowry when the team already had a world-class point guard on the roster. One of them has to go, I don't care which one. I'm tired of this constant point guard debate. It's been going on for how long now?

Blogger's note: The "debate" exists only among fans; there are no issues around the team, not sure people understand that fully

[jc]

Hey Doug,
Not a trade related question! You mentioned a while ago the best place to park for a Raps game. What was that again? Thanks (maybe you could ask for a percentage)

Blogger's note: I found the lot where I have my monthly parking, under the condos at the corner of Yonge and Harbour is the best and least expensive

[Bill]

"@Bill one major flaw in that reasoning is that Nash is a far superior shooter then Kidd, many overlook that part of his game...."

I see what you are saying but you are missing the point. Substitute Ray Allen ($3M) instead of Kidd (I forgot how much he gets paid but for sure less than Nash) in my example and you see what I mean. They did not sign Nash to 9M+ a year for his shooting skills.

P.S. Nash's D is nothing compared to Kidd's

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

"Mr. Lowry" was inspired but you have to admit "Mrs. Calderon" was pretty good too.

AG, Toronto

[doug]

@Bill apples and oranges in my opinion as their both HOF guards so with either you can't go wrong....and I have to disagree with Doug when he says there is no pg controversy as far as the team is concerned....as there is , not a controversy as in this guy or that, but rather you have two starting guards that play 2 distinct styles of play, it's not workable and BC knows it and has shown his willingness to correct it in the the past...it's unfair to the players/coaches/ organization...so yes their is no controversy per se but in terms of the team moving forward the situation needs to be addressed and thats apparent to all especially when we have far greater needs and 2 strong assets in our pg position....ok cheers...

[SR]

The only thing more ridiculous than Ken's fantasy trade scenarios is Peter's response to them and why it won't happen.

Did you really just compare Demar to Rudy Gay?... Numbers aren't everything.

[DaveB]

"Blogger's note: The "debate" exists only among fans; there are no issues around the team, not sure people understand that fully"

Doug, while I agree with the team not having issues (just watch Jose's and Kyle's interaction during games), I think the "debate" also exists among some of the media reporters as well. In pre-game, post game and post practice scrums I hear a lot of leading questions that appear to be trying to dig up or creating a PG controversy. This way the reporter can fulfill his/her prophecy. I think this leads to some of the fan's angst.

Let's hope for a good game tonight and hopefully a win.

[Mike]

@SR - While I don't think that Demar is as good as Rudy Gay, is Rudy 6,7 and 9 million /year better? Numbers aren't everything, but that is another good rotation player. Is Rudy an all-star? Does he attract a double team? His game is actually pretty similar to DD, only he does it at the SF spot. I would think they are somewhat comparable. And at almost twice the salary?

[Peter]

@ SR

The point is, it's a dumb trade. A dumb point deserves a dumb response and I gave my dumb response. There are all kinds of reasons why those trade scenarios are crazy, I chose a couple and made light of them. But Mike sums it up nicely (at 4:30 PM). While I agree numbers aren't everything, Rudy Gay, in some circles (Ken's circle for sure) does have a reputation that is bigger than his game, and his game isn't worth what Ken was offering. Not even close.

[GM]

I like having two above-average point guards on a roster, with different styles. As for the supposed controversy, I fear there will always be one in Toronto. If the team has one superstar PG and one below-average backup, fans (and media) will rag on the backup, and management, especially if the starter gets injured. And then if the backup is any good, they'll create a friction between the two and everyone will divide up into camps.

[J]

"Mr. Lowry" is even more inspired when you realize that the poster who goes by "ad" has been pushing his love for Lowry on at least one other discussion board and on a rather daily basis. If Doug had been posting the same amount of anti-Lowry, pro-Calderon vitriol then "Mrs. Calderon" would have been equally inspired, but alas, the comparison ends there.

The Raptors should deal whichever of Lowry or Calderon can fetch the best return package (*if* the return package is worthwhile, and adjusted for the loss of said player, of course). Short and simple. What we traded for Lowry is a sunk cost and should not factor into the decision. It's like saying we spent a 1st overall pick on Bargnani so we can't trade him for anything less.

@AD, let me clarify something for you:

Before this current season, Calderon started for the Raptors for 4.5 seasons (0.5 for the one he shared 50/50 with Jack), and came off the bench for 2.5 seasons. The Raptors made the playoffs twice in those 7 years: once while Calderon started, and once while he came off the bench. Playoff series won: 0. Championships won: 0.

In comparison, Lowry started for the Rockets for 2 seasons, and came off the bench for the Rockets/Grizzlies for 3 seasons. The teams he played for made the playoffs once in those 5 years, if it even counts since he barely played for them (28 games off the bench, 15% minutes played). Playoff series won: 1. Championships won: 0.

Neither PG has led their respective teams to much of anything (the one playoff series win was as much to do with Von Wafer as it was Lowry), if that's the chord you want to keep harping on. That Lowry came off the bench for one playoff series win in five years does not make him any better than Calderon playing in two playoff series losses in seven years. If one is a scrub, then so is the other.

Oh, and this:

"If the chemistry calderon brings is so valuable then why is the teams record 16-28? Give me a break."

If the Lowry's talents are so valuable, then why is the team's record 16-28? Give *us* a break. Your arguments are hypocritical, and your excuse-making for Lowry (yes, I've read your other posts) has been legendary. When Lowry has a bad game, it's on BC, Casey or "he's probably injured"; when Calderon has a bad game, it's suddenly proof of your argument's validity. Genius!

[doug]

@GM no offense but your response just shows me how rRaptos fans want their cake and eat it to, and are resistant to change...of course we all would love to have 2 above-average PG's on a team but that kind of thinking is out there in lalaland....were a sub-.500 team with many glaring weaknesses, such as a 3 etc...so of course you have to use what assets you have to improve as this organization has also shown in the past a total unwillingness to spend as other teams do although we are consistently in top 10 of attendance..especially when neither of these PG's are signed for the long-term,,,,so no-brainer one has to go.....ok cheers...

[J]

@Mike:

You make an interesting argument, and I think the answer partially comes down to how much better DeRozan can get, if at all, and whether you choose to take stock in Gay's current season or his past five. If we judge on this season alone, then no, there's not much difference (on paper) between the two players. However, I'd much rather judge Gay's future production with the much larger sample size of his previous five seasons than the 41 games he's played this season. There, the difference between DeRozan and Gay is more apparent.

Though Gay is said to be a below average rebounder, he'd automatically be one of the best rebounders we've had at the 3 (aside from Fields), and certainly a huge improvement over DeRozan, even with his so-called re-emergence. And while Gay is not a great 3-point shooter, he is still an actual threat (hitting as high as .396 in 2010-2011), whereas DeRozan's 3-point attempts and long twos are more a boon for the opposing team. Gay's shot attempts from within the arc are on par with DeRozan's first two seasons, a bar that the latter has failed to re-attain as his shots have moved farther away from the basket. Gay has achieved all this while posting a slightly higher usage rate than DeRozan, which suggests his efficiency numbers would likely stay the same if we utilize him in the same way. Gay also posts his numbers while being assisted far less than DeRozan, so that's something to keep in mind as well.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Gay is worth his current contract (especially if I hold onto the pipe dream of paying his max contract dollars to a top 10 talent), but few acquirable players are. Any player being shopped is unlikely to be worth their contract, and the same applies to free agents (especially RFAs). Every off-season, the top bunch of UFAs get inflated contracts due to the fear of losing the player to another team. It's the unfortunate cost of doing business.

Assuming the cap goes up by ~$10 mil as some are estimating, we will have about ~$13 mil cap space to pursue free agents this summer. Acquiring Gay would likely limit us to using exceptions on role players, which isn't as bad as it sounds. Outside of Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Josh Smith, any realistic addition by the Raptors will be Rudy Gay-level at best, if not worse. For instance, would we prefer a starting lineup of Lowry, DeRozan, Fields, Millsap and Valanciunas, or Lowry, Ross, Gay, Davis and Valanciunas? The latter would also also have access to the non-taxpayer MLE (~$5.1 mil), while the former would only have access room MLE (~$2.6 mil). If the cost was only Calderon, DeRozan and a 2nd round pick, I'd think about it, but I doubt the Grizzlies would.