Wednesday November 12 2008 - 3:50pm Eastern
A lot of this should be obvious, however, let’s just say this about all of the “trade rumors” that are out there concerning the Toronto Raptors …
I hate trade talk. I don’t like to do it on the air … so I won’t do it here in the blog either.
We can talk in generalities - trying to be logical about things - but I’m not going to throw out wild theories or fantasy trade scenarios.
Whether it’s Al Harrington, Gerald Wallace, or anybody else, it’s pretty safe to say that Chris Bosh, Jermaine O’Neal and Jose Calderon are going nowhere.
There’s no market right now for Nathan Jawai and I’d guess that Will Solomon is still too much of an uknown to have folks calling about him.
Roko Ukic may be intriguing for a number of teams, but considering the Raptors just brought him over this summer, I can’t see them giving up on him already … unless they are totally blown away by an offer.
That’s half of the roster.
As PART of a deal … there may be some interest in Hassan Adams, Joey Graham, and Kris Humphries but, straight-up, I can’t imagine there’s a market there. Maybe Hump. But that’s it.
That leaves four players.
Anthony Parker could be attractive to teams given that his contract expires at the end of this season. Plus, in the meantime, you’d be getting a guy who can score and defend … and who is solid in the locker room.
Jason Kapono has improved his D this year and he’s clearly the best 3-point shooter in the game. He has value.
Jamario Moon has talent and still has even more potential, but his low contract number may make him difficult to move. He’d have to be combined with another player in any deal. For sure.
Who is left?
Andrea Bargnani.
I’d be reluctant to give up on the former #1 pick. His upside is still there. But if my socks are blown off by a trade offer, I’d have to listen to the call and consider anything and everything.
Colangelo said in the off-season that the Raptors needed two things: (a) an athletic 2 or 3 and somebody that could possibly give Toronto 20 on any given night, and (b) an improvement in the overall defence and rebounding.
Well, the Raps addressed the defence and rebounding with O’Neal but they didn’t get that wing player. Thus, you’ve got to guess that the GM is still keeping his eyes and ears open and that’s probably why you hear Toronto’s name popping up in the rumor mill more often than not of late.
E. Smith
Click here to subscribe to Smith's blog
i agree with you E, i hate rumors when they have nothing to back it up with. but i have to say that we do need someone at the 3 spot who can create not just to get to the basket or take that open shot but to finish on a consistent basis.
- DUANEHey Eric,
- td0tsfinestBig Fan of The Blog.
I got two questions. First is of Nathan Jawaii. I’m very curious to see what he brings. Last year I had that feeling with Jamario and he turned out pretty good. I’m not saying Nathan is going to be like Moon but I’m just curious to know where Nathan is at this moment? Is he practicing with the team? Is there any date for him to start playing?
The other question is, I don’t know how much you surf on the net. But if you go to many of these Raptor Forums; one particular topic keeps coming up (other than trade talk, and that is Sam Mitchell. Seems like a lot of fans don’t like the way he’s running the team espcially with the perimeter defense. What is your opinion on Sam and his relationship with this team?
This roster is better than the perfoemance so far. Mitchell is being stubborn and continues to start Moon - give Joey a shot. With Bosh and O’Neal this team should not be bottom of the league in rebounding (a characteristic of Mitchell teams). How about Smitch and Moon for Larry Brown as a trade?
- ballerJamario Moon doesn’t have potential and Toronto “journalists” have to take off the friggin blinders. Moon is almost 30…you don’t have potential when you are going on 30.
- jkParker and Moon are as good as they are ever going to be and that is frankly not good enough for a team with this pathetically short roster. Kapono is too limited to start and Graham doesn’t belong in the NBA…never did and never will. Only a team mired in mediocrity would have EVER signed him.
This team has ZERO chance to beat any of the teams that matter, so what difference does it make which chairs get switched on this “Titanic”.
Bosh cannot carry a team this weak….
Never could and never will. Toronto’s solution is to keep ignoring the obvious until it bites them in the ass.
The O’Neal trade is a disaster unless MLSE is willing to go over the cap. This team is NOT a playoff team, is NOT a contender and it is clear to anyone who isn’t dense or blind that that isn’t going to change until they get a dynamic wing and a capable backup point guard and a better coaching/scouting staff. I said this repeatedly when the O’Neal trade was just a rumor and it is STILL true.
We need better “journalists” in this town so the obvious doesn’t come as a surprise to the idiot fans.
Yo Eric who is this jk? Did i miss his press release as an expert? 8 games in J.O. deal a bust?last time I check Moon was 27 going on 28. See where the Raps r after 20 games then we “idiots” can debate w/ the “expert”.
- john artisraptorized john
Ahh … yes …. JK … the ever-popular “blame the media / journalists” posting
There’s gotta be one of those every 7-10 days
- E. SmithEveryone’s got an opinion John … though I think JK is waaay off. Hope you’re good man
- E. Smith