Return of the Red Rocket

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Aug 21, 2005 1:54 PM EDT

It appears that fans at the Air Canada Centre will once again be applauding the exploits of Matt Bonner aka the Red Rocket next season. The Raptors and Bonner agreed on a 2 year deal worth 4 million dollars. The deal gives the Raptor's, Bonner's "Bird Rights," enabling them to re-sign Bonner after the deal's expiry in the 2006-07 season without being penalized for exceeding the salary cap. Last season Bonner earned the league minimum of $385,000 but was a crowd favourite and a dead-eye shooter averaging 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds.

While Rob Babcock may have come under fire in the past for various decisions (Rafer Alston's contract, the Vince Trade etc), you have to commend Toronto's front office job in this case. We here at Raptorshq love Bonner but as we've previously stated, he was simply not worth his 3 million asking price. This deal however gives the Raptors the opportunity to continue overseeing Bonner's development while not overpaying and giving them the option in 2 years time to re-sign the player if he continues his growth.

On a larger scale, very quietly this offseason Babcock has started to right this ship. At a relatively low price Babcock this summer has brought in defence, athleticsm and leadership through the draft and free agent signings while continuing to cut bad contracts. The Bonner signing brings back a fan favourite whose play off the bench, shooting touch and enthusiasm was quite valuable at times last season. Yet at the same time the contract gives the Raptors flexibility down the road in terms of trading or re-signing the former Gaitor. The next offseason steps will be addressing the situation with some of the Raptors seldom used veterans such as Lamond Murray and Aaron Williams and addressing the point guard situation. It's been all quiet on that front in terms of rumors but regardless, the attempt at Duhon and reports of including Rafer Alston in proposed trades hopefully gets the talented but volatile Alston on the same page as Sam Mitchell and the rest of the team next season.

Franchise

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This is a good signing. The two year contract will give us salary cap room when we need it - 2007/2008, when Bosh and Magloire will be free agents. In the meantime, the Raps get a fun, hard working fan favorite that makes the team more enjoyable to watch and can contribute from the outside. He probably won't ever be as good a rebounder as Donyell, but he will be able to fill that odd Raptors-gotta-have-a-bigman-who-shoots-threes void.

I have to hand it to Babcock, this summer he has made no decisions that I take issue with. If he can pull of a coup like Luke Jackson for Aaron Williams, or Aaron Williams and Mo Pete for Lorenzen Wright, he will have had a very succesful first full offseason. We're gonna suck this year, but we may not suck two seasons from now. That is better then I've been able to say about the Raps since 2001.

by Crazy Man Babcock on Aug 21, 2005 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

Well you know i love this signing now pick a guard up and we be ok i ll take wright also if babcock can swing it.

by FANTASY GM on Aug 22, 2005 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

Its official I think they might go after pg Anthony Carter or Smush Praker now because they would be some of the cheapest and if they have any money left they can sign Slokar too a rookie contract and then trade some expensive vets to charlotte for some picks.

by !~LIL Scrappy~! on Aug 22, 2005 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

Last time I checked, Charlotte was not looking for our crappy, disgrutled, unatheletic, no-upside overpaid vets for their delicious delicious draft picks.

by Crazy Man Babcock on Aug 23, 2005 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

We should sign The Professor and Spider!

by utes on Aug 23, 2005 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Are you all high? What did Babcock feed you? You seriously think signing Bonner is a good move? Who else wanted him? NOBODY! The market was in Toronto and nowhere else. Why is this? Because other GMs have basketball intelligence and realize that one should only have so many no defending, no post playing, only long range shooting big men on their team (the correct answer is zero, by the way). Babcock need to be fired. Bonner needs to be cut (and you NEED to stop calling him "The Red Rocket"... no good can come from that). The team needs to be blown up and started over. Except for one problem: nobody wants to come here. You can have all the cap room you want but if nobody will take your money you are still up the creek without a paddle.

It never should have come to this but if the organization continues to hire people who know nothing, it will continue to happen. I hope they wise up and can Babcock ASAP.

And I'm a Raptors fan.

by narrator on Sep 22, 2005 8:18 PM EDT reply actions