The Star: BC Not Done Tweaking the Lineup

Dr. J. Naismith · 07-05-2009, 10:30 AM

See people, have a little patience because BC isn't done yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Smith

You'd think an NBA general manager would get a chance to catch his breath after landing one of the biggest available free agents on the market.

Nah.

Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo was back on the phones yesterday, trying to work some contract magic that would allow him to keep one of his current players or land someone in a sign-and-trade that would make a few extra bucks for Shawn Marion.

There was no indication from several league sources exactly what Colangelo had in mind, but the spectre of trying to deal Kris Humphries for a draft pick or some other future consideration was being kicked around by a couple of league sources.

That would seem to be a long shot – Humphries is hardly A-list material and is coming off a broken leg – but it does mean Colangelo is not done.

In a perfect world, he'd find a way to make it financially possible to keep one of Anthony Parker or Carlos Delfino, but nothing is close to being done.

But as sources have been saying since the negotiating period began Canada Day, Colangelo is trying to be "creative" in getting financial flexibility for himself and improving a roster that won 33 games last season.

The major move, of course, was the signing of Hedo Turkoglu, which is as done as it can be but can't be announced before Wednesday.

Turkoglu's agent, Lon Babby, said a late strike by the Raptors, after Turkoglu had given a verbal commitment to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, made him change his mind.

Some league sources have been indicating for days that Toronto would be the preferred destination for the 6-foot-10 forward, who helped Orlando to the Eastern Conference championship this season.

"Portland did everything we asked them to do ... he simply decided Toronto was a better fit," said Babby.

"Toronto kind of jumped in at the last minute and that gave him pause to reconsider."

The news was also a hit with Turkoglu's new teammates.

Chris Bosh, who would seem to benefit from the presence of another shooter on the floor, put out a Twitter message that said: "We got Hedo! Next season's gonna be a lot of fun." Turkoglu is expected in Toronto on Wednesday or Thursday to sign his contract, after the league's moratorium on signing players is lifted.

That's also how long Colangelo will have to try and swing some deals for other players or lose some to make sure he has enough money under NBA salary cap rules.

"(The Raptors said) if they were going to be able to fulfil this offer, they were going to have to make some roster moves," said Babby.

Babby suggested he'd be open to looking at sign-and-trade transactions with Orlando regarding Turkoglu, but one league source categorically denied the Magic have any interest in Marion, who is coming off a season in which he was paid almost $18 million.

If Marion can land somewhere in a sign-and-trade deal, which would allow him to maximize his earnings as best he can, it looks like the best he'll get is a deal starting at the so-called "mid-level cap exception," expected to be about $5.6 million.

The only team with significant cap space to make him a free-standing offer would be Portland, which isn't in the market for a player with Marion's skill set.

And while Colangelo and his money men were trying to figure out cap and salary implications, it's a virtual certainty that coach Jay Triano and his staff were trying to figure out just how they'll use Turkoglu in what will be one of the biggest lineups in the Eastern Conference.

Source - TheStar.com | NBA | Bryan Colangelo not done tweaking Raptor lineup

bjjs · 07-05-2009, 10:32 AM

He's got to get a shooting guard who enjoys playing defense.

Dr. J. Naismith · 07-05-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjjs

He's got to get a shooting guard who enjoys playing defense.

Well, he already has one in DeMar, but I'm assuming you meant a "proven" SG with experience eh PB?

bjjs · 07-05-2009, 10:39 AM

I forgot about Dede. He's got the athleticism, but does he really enjoy playing defense though? That's something we'll find out soon enough.

bladeraptor · 07-05-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjjs

I forgot about Dede. He's got the athleticism, but does he really enjoy playing defense though? That's something we'll find out soon enough.

he has been quoted saying he loves defense so read into it as you will.

HassamZafar9 · 07-05-2009, 12:13 PM

You know.. As crazy as it sounds.. I think Marion will sign for the MLE. It appears that not many teams under the cap are looking for a player with his "skill-set". And most are cautious of his age and the decrease in his athleticism. The MLE over the max years is a pretty big deal.. If he signs with another team for like 2 years.. then has to sign for Vet Minimum's to try and win a championship.. It wont get him as much money. He likes to win, and after seeing what the rpators are getting.. With Hedo, I think he will take our MLE into consideration. Colangelo is trading away Kris.. To make room for Delfino if I'm not mistaken.

Gurk · 07-05-2009, 12:20 PM

I would be so happy if we can get some sign and trade deals done. It's the only way we can sign a good player, and I really want us too cuz right now our bench is worse then last years

moremilk · 07-05-2009, 12:21 PM

the biggest fear is losing the MLE, which will rob us of the biggest tool to get 2nd tier FA to come here.

moremilk · 07-05-2009, 12:22 PM

and marion is basically guaranteed to sign for MLE since we cannot sign and trade him anymore.

gdaytday · 07-05-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moremilk

the biggest fear is losing the MLE, which will rob us of the biggest tool to get 2nd tier FA to come here.

I don't think that BC would have pulled the trigger on the Hedo deal unless he had a few different ways to keep the MLE lined up.

A00715890 · 07-05-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdaytday

I don't think that BC would have pulled the trigger on the Hedo deal unless he had a few different ways to keep the MLE lined up.

agreed....there is no way hes gonna let Douby be a primary backup, or expect a rookie to start a full season....hes way smarter than us, basketball wise....

gdaytday · 07-05-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A00715890

agreed....there is no way hes gonna let Douby be a primary backup, or expect a rookie to start a full season....hes way smarter than us, basketball wise....

and NBA CBA wise...

bjjs · 07-05-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladeraptor

he has been quoted saying he loves defense so read into it as you will.

Yeah, but we won`t know if that`s really the case until he start playing in the games that count. At least I won`t, because I didn`t see a lot of his college games.

CripwalkinK · 07-05-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

There was no indication from several league sources exactly what Colangelo had in mind, but the spectre of trying to deal Kris Humphries for a draft pick or some other future consideration was being kicked around by a couple of league sources.

Should he pull this off, we'll have just enough flexibility to sign a good defending 2 guard from the FA market.

Gurk · 07-05-2009, 01:28 PM

I think if we can pull that off we'll sign Delfino

gdaytday · 07-05-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CripwalkinK

Should he pull this off, we'll have just enough flexibility to sign a good defending 2 guard from the FA market.

Who is this good defending 2 guard from the FA market that you speak of?

curryking1 · 07-05-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

See people, have a little patience because BC isn't done yet.

Very true lol. The media is just too wild, and the American writers seem to perpetually publish headlines with underlying anti-Toronto messages. It is no wonder some of us get these ideas in our heads :P

Everyone is just pulling the trigger to quickly because that's what the internet tells them to do

If anyone knows this roster is still incomplete, and specifically the guard spots, it would be BC.

CripwalkinK · 07-05-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdaytday

Who is this good defending 2 guard from the FA market that you speak of?

Dahntay Jones is one possibility.

Stonezz · 07-05-2009, 02:49 PM

Yeah I hope BC can get some flexibility and sign Dahntay Jones, he's a good defender.

jeffb · 07-05-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stonezz

Yeah I hope BC can get some flexibility and sign Dahntay Jones, he's a good defender.

Thriller would love that signing. lol

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07-05-2009, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
bjjs is a baller Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,170 Representing:	He's got to get a shooting guard who enjoys playing defense.

07-05-2009, 10:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
bjjs is a baller Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,170 Representing:	I forgot about Dede. He's got the athleticism, but does he really enjoy playing defense though? That's something we'll find out soon enough.

07-05-2009, 12:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
HassamZafar9 is Raps Win Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 48 Representing:	You know.. As crazy as it sounds.. I think Marion will sign for the MLE. It appears that not many teams under the cap are looking for a player with his "skill-set". And most are cautious of his age and the decrease in his athleticism. The MLE over the max years is a pretty big deal.. If he signs with another team for like 2 years.. then has to sign for Vet Minimum's to try and win a championship.. It wont get him as much money. He likes to win, and after seeing what the rpators are getting.. With Hedo, I think he will take our MLE into consideration. Colangelo is trading away Kris.. To make room for Delfino if I'm not mistaken.

07-05-2009, 12:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gurk is gonna make sure that Rasho wins MVP hot' n' spicy meat-a-ball Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Home Posts: 12,955 Representing:	I would be so happy if we can get some sign and trade deals done. It's the only way we can sign a good player, and I really want us too cuz right now our bench is worse then last years

07-05-2009, 12:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
moremilk is whatever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: toronto Posts: 4,743 Representing:	the biggest fear is losing the MLE, which will rob us of the biggest tool to get 2nd tier FA to come here.

07-05-2009, 12:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
moremilk is whatever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: toronto Posts: 4,743 Representing:	and marion is basically guaranteed to sign for MLE since we cannot sign and trade him anymore.

07-05-2009, 01:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
Gurk is gonna make sure that Rasho wins MVP hot' n' spicy meat-a-ball Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Home Posts: 12,955 Representing:	I think if we can pull that off we'll sign Delfino

07-05-2009, 02:49 PM	#19 (permalink)
Stonezz is NOBODY. - WHY? CAUSE NOBODY'S PERFECT. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,613 Representing:	Yeah I hope BC can get some flexibility and sign Dahntay Jones, he's a good defender.