Wednesday July 1 2009 – 6:05pm Eastern (Toronto, ON)
The free agent sweepstakes are underway, but how do things look from a Raptors perspective?
Any one of these scenarios could happen.
Or, none of them could unfold.
That’s the world of free agency frenzies.
Until contracts are actually signed, there’s really no way of knowing which rumors are completely legit and which rumblings are completely bogus. At this time of the year, even the most trusted of sources can – at times – be “wrong” … as teams are jockeying and posturing for positioning against other teams/bidders … and agents are sending out misinformation to pump up their clients and raise the asking prices.
So here are some of the potential options for the Raptors:
(1) Sign free agent Hedo Turkoglu. It would likely cost $12+ million per year (for 5 years) to get him in Toronto. By making this move there’d be little-to-no wiggle room left for the rest of the roster though.
(2) Re-sign forward Shawn Marion. Probably $8 – $10 million/year.
(3) Work out a sign-and-trade for Marion.
(4) Consider offers for free agents Trevor Ariza or Lamar Odom. Both would fit in Toronto if the Raptors weren’t able to secure deals for Turkoglu or Marion. But to be clear, it’d be Ariza OR Odom … not both. Either one (especially Ariza) would be a cheaper option than Turk or Matrix. Linas Kleiza would fit this somewhat ‘cheaper’ bill as well.
(5) Speaking of cheaper options, could Charlie Villanueva be coming back to T.O.? Doug Smith reported that the Raps do have some interest. And keep in mind that Charlie V’s son was born in Toronto — so he has a tie to this city that goes beyond just the one year he spent here as a rookie.
There are other names that are out there but some of the bigger players almost certainly have no shot at being in Raptor (See free agents: Allen Iverson, Ben Gordon, Andre Miller and see restricted free agents like David Lee).
E. Smith
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Theres a source saying 5 years 60 million for Tyrk from the Raps… Say it aint soo :(
Thats way to much and too LONG for a guy who is 30.
Anyway i would love to see CV31 twittering from Toronto…
- LukaI hope BC is not thinking about Turkoglu, odom or ariza. Turkoglu may become the most over paid player in the league this year and odom won’t stay healthy. All these free agents form the champ teams will be overpaid and overrated.
- Rob from brantfordHedo Turkoglu for 8 million dollars for 4 -5 years. He is 30 and that he going to decline so, why would any team play him 9-12 million dollars for 5 years in this economy?
(Shawn Marion for AK47)I mean Eric, do you think AK47 of the Utah Jazz be a perfect fit to Toronto?
Call me crazy but, Demar Derozan reminds me of Jamario Moon!!!
Happy Canada Day!!!!!
- Raps FanJust my opinion but since Orlando made the splash with the diminishing asset Shaq, there is even more pressure on the Raps to keep up.
How are they able to take on that kind of salary if the Raps csn’t afford Hedo???
- Garyman..12 mill/+ for Turkoglu is ridiculous
- MorrisEric,
U deleted a trade proposal I sent to you and I just wanted to hear your opinion.
It had a link to the trade on espn trade machine and it worked out cap wise.
It was:
To Toronto:
SF: Andrei Kirolenko
SG: Ronny Brewer
To Utah:
- WarrenChris Bosh
Quincy Douby
Hey Eric,
- LannyWe saw the John Salmons “Devine intervention” but has a team ever done that? not offer the contract that was agreed upon?
Eric,
Can the Knicks afford David Lee without ruining their chances to make a big splash in 2010?
Do you believe the Raptors are active players in the Hedo Turkoglu sweepstakes and is he worth a 4 year 60 million contract?
- Elisigning turkoglu would be a good move… hell, a fantastic move if you ask me… he’s a matchup nightmare, so yeah, i think he’d fit well here… peace out matrix! sign and trade if its at all possible…
congrats on the little one as well mr smith… may you have sleepless nights and carpel tunnel from changing diapers…
cheers!
- chefdizHey Eric,
Just heard the Raps signed Turk which gives them no-wiggle room, obviously, along with no bench. But i think the Raps are signing him for Portland in a S&T. So T.O. signs Turk (cause he can get more money from T.O.vs. Portland) and trades him to Portland for Rudy Fernandez and Travis Outlaw. T.O. fills a need for 2 and a 3.
- AJWarren….come on! TRY PUTTING IN THE TRADE MIX NATHAN JAWAI, MARCUS BANKS, ROKO UKIC, JAKE VOSKHUAL; ANDREA BARGNANI TO DETROIT FOR CHARLIE V. and RIP HAMILTON!!
- BOJACK