Tempered Enthusiasm - Salmons Deal Still A Go?

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Jul 21, 2006 9:58 AM EDT

Various sources this morning are reporting that the proposed sign-and-trade deal between Toronto and Philadelphia involving guard John Salmons, is no longer a "sure-thing."

First, from the Toronto Star, comes reports that "serious snags had developed in the transaction..." although it's not certain what those snags are at this point. There is speculation in both the Toronto and Philadelphia media that something else may be in the works.

-Could Colangelo be looking to use Salmon's cap space now in a potentially bigger trade scenario?

-Is Salmons having second thoughts about coming to Toronto?

-Is Philly now coveting more than simply a second-round pick in return for Salmons under the sign-and-trade scenario?

-Salmons was supposed to be in Toronto for a physical yesterday and is it possible he didn't pass?

Stranger things have happened in Raptorland.

Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo would not comment on the sign-and-trade situation but it's evident that with Andre Barrett clearning waivers yesterday, and the tumbleweeds that followed, something is holding things up.

So which of these is most believable?

I for one, am not buying the "Salmons has a change of heart" situation. Phoenix yesterday signed guard Marcus Banks to a long-term contract thereby negating what would have been Salmons' backup plan. And there isn't another team in the NBA who would or could offer the 76'ers' guard a similar deal.

No, I'm thinking the snag is either that Salmons' physical testing didn't go as expected, or Bryan Colangelo and co. suddenly have another plan in the works. Both scenarios are quite plausible considering a) physical testing situations like New Jersey went through last year with Abdur-Rahim (ie - players who seem healthy don't always pass physicals) and b) Colangelo's propensity to "wheel and deal." Colangelo and the rest of his staff have been quite tight-lipped on trades and signings as we've seen so far this summer so no, a trade or other move involving that cap space projected for Salmons wouldn't be out of the question.

In the meantime, it sounds like the Jorge Garbajosa signing will become official very soon, perhaps even this morning, and Uros Slokar has confirmed with Slovenian press members that he's headed to Toronto this season.

Of course if Salmons stays in limbo or doesn't join the Raptors, this opens up a whole new train of speculation concerning the likes of Eddie House and Fred Jones. And although things are a bit crowded at the 4 spot, for rebounding and toughness purposes would you take a look at Reggie Evans? And if there is perhaps a secret deal in the works, who would be coming to Toronto?

Just when it seemed like Raptor fans were in for a quiet remaining few months before next season, Colangelo may be throwing us for a loop once again.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

Darn. What will happen to all the Salmons joke I prepared this coming season ?

by nike on Jul 21, 2006 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

the gossip vultures over on the realgm board are all over this one already...ray allen seems to be at the top of everyone's wishlist with the sonics moving out of town. probably won't even get close to happening, but that's not stoping anyone right now from writing about it!

by louis on Jul 21, 2006 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

I agree that I dont think it could be on Salmons end because his options are really limited now with the Suns out of the running. I guess if he failed his physical that would be an easy explanation. Personally I like the idea of a bigger deal in the works. Something to get me excited about the Raps upcoming season.

by Dan on Jul 21, 2006 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

AI is comin to TORONTO

AI for TJ and Bosh

1. AI
2. Mo Pete
3. Parker
4. AB
5. Nesterovic

by ASDF on Jul 21, 2006 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

That would be a terrible trade......dont be dumb

I am very confused.....I was pretty excited about the Salmons signing. The only option at this point that I would like more then signing Salmons is if the Raptors have a bigger trade in mind. I am not going to be happy with a failed physical, a change of heart by Salmons, or a renag by Philly so that they can use him in an AI trade.

My guess is that it has something to do with his physical (yesterday) and that they figure it all out and Salmons is a Raptor. But who knows.

by bleedpurple on Jul 21, 2006 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Doesn't Toronto have enough cap room to sign Salmons without the sign and trade? If so then it can't be on Phillys end because TO could just go around them.

I think the only realistic options are

1. Failed physical
2. BC is looking at a trade for another player.

by Dan on Jul 21, 2006 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

The other thing is that I can't see Colangelo pulling a Boozer and backing out of the Salmons deal after he convinced him to come here. How would that look for other free agents in the future?

by Vanessa Del Rio on Jul 21, 2006 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Dug this out of the RealGM message boards - it's an excerpt from a chat with Chris Sheridan today (he's an ESPN guy i think):

Larry (Toronto): Hey Chris, have you heard any new news on the snag with the Salmons deal? Do you think Salmons is re-evaluating his choice, or BC has a possible deal in the works involving Salmons would-be cap space?

Chris Sheridan: (2:11 PM ET ) Ran into Billy King less than an hour ago, and he indicated John Salmons seems to be having second thoughts about taking the deal and heading to Toronto. Yewsterday, by the way, Billy told me he's not trading Allen Iverson.

by raptorman on Jul 21, 2006 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

I don't know, that sounds like crap to me. something tells me BC isn't the kind of guy you want to back out of a deal with. (italian connections and all...:) but seriously, where's he going to go now that the suns have picked up banks? especially for the kind of money that was being thrown at him here?

something else has to be going on...

by louis on Jul 21, 2006 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

I have a strange feeling somthing big might happen with this. I'm thinking Toronto becomes a player to assist in an even larger deal going through. Colangelo's runs a tight ship and has too much business savvy for this 'snag' to not be a calculated move. Noone could have guessed at a single trade he's made this offseason. I think we'll be shocked when this is over.

by Blaker on Jul 21, 2006 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

Everyone is saying something bigger is going to happen but no one wants to say what it will be. Lets hear it, what is BC going to trade for?

and how big of a trade can you have with Philly without including AI!!!

by ASDF on Jul 21, 2006 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

Possible that Salmons remains a 76er and BC looks elsewhere? Does Salmons absolutely HAVE to be moved?

by Brian on Jul 22, 2006 1:05 AM EDT reply actions

It's official, Salmons doesn't want to come to Toronto......

"Upon reviewing the basketball situation in Toronto, John decided it's not the best fit for him," Salmons' agent, Joel Bell, said a statement released Friday. "In a very stressful and tough decision, he decided he could not accept the opportunity to play for the Raptors, even though he was excited about the prospect of being in Toronto."