So Who's Left?

If Toronto resigns Bosh and Ford then you add Rashos bad contract does that not basically eat up all that sal cap room next summer? The Raps really need to do something this summer with that money. Perhaps there is another trade coming for a high salary player.

At this point the Raps are not a playoff team with basically no starting 3 on the team.

Dalibor Bagaric was one of the worst pros I had ever seen when he was with the Bulls.

And an FYI: Songaila declined his player option so he's an unrestricted FA

Great post guys.

I disagree with your assessment of the Raptors depth chart for next year however. Colangelo has stated that he thinks Bargnani will develop into a 5 and I think he'll start the year backing-up Nesterovic. Also, I see Garbajosa as a 3/4, he could end up being our starting SF. Sow is also probably going to play the 5 when he's on the floor in a Pheonix-type system.

PG: Ford, Calderon
SG: MoPete, Graham
SF: Garbajosa, Tucker
PF: Bosh, Humphries
C: Nesterovic, Bargnani, Sow

I agree that the Raps need to add some more bodies but the beauty of the system that they are trying to implement is that aside from PG, these traditional "positions" don't really apply.

PS: Did Brian Grant not retire?

I'll tackle each list in turn.

I have to say I'm generally in agreement with Howland on the first list. The only three guys who interest me are Ariza, Salmons and maybe Flip. Bonzi is be the best player on that list, but I'm sorry to say that I haven't really seen much evidence that he's "mellowing." You have to worry about a veteran with a malignant personality and what effect he would have on a young clubhouse. Someone's going to overpay for him based on what he did in the playoffs last year, but he'll likely return to his post contract year slacking.

On the second list, the only guy who really interests me is Jared Jefferies, as he's a slightly more skilled version of Ariza who can guard at multiple positions. However, given the fact that hardly anyone on the Wizards plays any D, I can't see them letting him go; they need him. Again, someone's probably going to overpay for him based on potential. Adrian Griffin is a solid defender although he doesn't give you much else. I really can't see Mike James coming back to play behind T.J. Ford, do you? I think the only way he'd come back is if you promise him a starting spot at the 2 guard, which isn't going to happen. There are too many teams which need his services more. Hopefully, that sign and trade rumour with Marquis Daniels comes to pass.

One name I didn't see anywhere on that list was Fred Jones, who's a restricted free agent. I doubt Indy would let him go, but he's an extremely athletic if undersized shooting guard who can defend capably. I think he's a better player than Flip Murray, at least.

On the whole, I think Colangelo is smart not to blow his cap space on this year's free agent crop. It's a weak class, and some of the signings have been ridiculous. $64 million for Peja? How about $24 million for Tim Thomas, who made all that noise about wanting to stay in Phoenix for less money? Then he jumps at the first offer that comes along, despite the fact that the Phoenix system is tailor-made for his talents. What a tool. Save your money for next year's class (not to mention resigning Bosh and Ford). You have to wonder if Colangelo might have the inside track at attracting free agents such as Diaw or Barbosa, or even if he could acquire Shawn Marion down the road...

Kandi-man is a TOTAL BUST! I'd rather pick up someone cheap from the NBDL than him. A legit centre who can rebound is all he can do. I'm sure you can find someone who can have about 5-6 rebounds/game and box out for fairly cheap. We should play out this season. I'd rather gradually build the team and waste money on this crop's FA, get a good draft pick, and splash next year than rush anything. Totally going with Howland on this one. I just hope we can get a sign and trade with James for anything with value. At least we'll have some tradeable assets.

Also, do you know A Will's health status? Will he actually be "playing" this yr? From awhile back I remember seeing on the news that he was ready to play at the end of season but Mitchell left him on the bench

Who will be our second/third scoring option after Bosh now? If it's MoPete and Bargnani, I hope they both can step it up a notch this year after CV and James are gone.

DONT WORRY.. BC knows what he is doing, sit back and watch and trust the man.. heck, ill give him my unborn child if he asked.. ok to the post..

Fred Jones and Ariza..

They give us athleticism in the back court. They can both finish at the rim and they can both really fly. Whats great is that they are young and will come relatively cheap. Great Compliments.. Fred Jones is a scorer, and Ariza is more of a stopper... Both would fit great, both would get better with more minutes.. I dont think anybody really knows how good they could be.. Would be a great steal if we got either, both and we could be close to the playoffs..

Our C issue... What about Pape Sow.. is he not ready to contribute 15 min a night? Long, athletic defensive shot blocker... if I had 15 min. i would love to see him get it over kandi-woman. Although I really like Jackie Butler as a sleeper...

ONE MORE NAME FOR YOU...

Dorrell Wright...

He plays on the heat... and sky is the limit for him.. A WAY better version then qyntell woods without all the off court stuff.. if we could get him from the heat, we would be in great shape.. he is our 2/3 of the future...

Recap: FRED JONES/ TREVOR ARIZA/ DORRELL WRIGHT
(2/3)

WAR PAPE SOW.. WAR RAPTORS PLAYOFFS..WAR WIDENER PIONEER BASKETBALL..

IM OUT like Isaiah

Hmmm...some very interesting thoughts folks. I agree that some teams overpayed for players and some now look like complete hypocrites (looking at you Tim Thomas.) I didn't put Fred Jones in this piece because it sounds like's staying with Indiana now that Peja is gone...however he is a Howland favourite and myself, I wouldn't mind seeing him throwing down jams in a Raps uni either for the right price.

Some clarification on the roster look as I knew this would come up. Yes, we've got some real interchangeable parts but the real point I guess is that right now there is no one with more than a year of NBA experience on our roster to man the 3 spot...unless Mo plays there and than you have the same situation at the 2. So Colangelo has to address that we think.

PS - I'll update the Songaila info - thanks!

A point about the cap space:

We have some room this year, as everyone knows, but it's long gone next year even if we don't sign anyone. Once you factor in Bosh's contract, plus a new deal for Ford and Peterson among other things, there will be little or no room under the cap. It has to be used before the end of the season this year. If the FA market doesn't have anything that fits our needs, then wait and see who falls out of favour by the all-star break. By then, a good number of guys will be available for pretty much just the cap room. All of this talk is probably premature anyway, since I bet Colangelo still has a deal or two to go this summer.

I'm enjoying this discussion...exciting times to be a Raps fan.

My take on this is to hold out some cap space. If we are signing Garbajosa for the reported $4 million (I'll be surprised if it is this high) and bringing over Ukic (his buy-out is reportedly high, meaning the Raps might need to give him a higher starting salary that they otherwise would if they want him here this year), we are not left with tons of space.

While I do think we need to bring in some vets, I'm not sure they need to be starters. I'm comfortable going into the year with Joey and Garbajosa (and maybe Tucker) getting the bulk of the time at the 3. Yes these are all inexperienced guys, but only with consistent playing time will we know if they are starters in this league or not. If not, then next year (or at the trade deadline) we'll know we need to find someone else.

While the enthusiasm over the team is great, we need to keep in mind that this is still part of the re-building phase. I think we will be a competititve team this year and if everything goes right, could challenge for a 6-7-8 seed. But I don't want to rush the re-building....give the kids lots of PT, let them develop in a low-pressure environment (excellent that Bargs can play behind Rasho and not need to play huge minutes from the beginning) and take a year here to really assess what we've got. Unless things go really well, we'll likely have a decent draft pick again next year and, if we do nothing foolish now, a bunch of cap space again. Next summer is the time we start filling holes with an eye toward contending.

All of which to say, bring in a couple of cheap vets who don't need a lot of playing time but can provide guidance and stability (what Eric Williams was supposed to bring) and let the kids run.

what's next ? if bc wants a real replica of the suns , he needs 3 pt.shooters. unless he can transform the raptors to a 3 pt. shooting team , his objective of making the raptors the phoenix suns of the east will be ' a brick '.

I was kind of bummed out about peja. Although he has no defence, neither does the rest of the team, and he would have fit in perfectly with this team both now as the #2. option scorer and with the shooting threat.

I think bonzi wells would be a total locker room killer, and you do not want that with a bunch of young kids. THey are suppose to look up to him and you dont want young impressionable players learning from goof offs like bonzi.

Jones, Ariza would be great on this team.

One thing I am confuseda bout is when people say we have to spend the money this year because we wont have it next year because of siging bosh and TJ, and Mo Pete (hopefully). If we have 10 mill in cap room we can spend that money this year, and pay a player 10mil this year, next year and for a few more years. That is 10 mill less that we have to play with in next years FA market (As it is going to the player signed this year)

If we do not spend the money on a FA this year....that 10 mil is still there for next year, and can be looked at as extra money ontop of signing bosh et at. next year. Or am I misunderstanding something? I will freely admit that my capspace knowledge is worse than any other b-ball knowledge including the utah jazz roster.

I am also confused as to whether Bargnini is going to play C, or SF, or both. If he is going to play SF, are we not kind of set for all starters, and backups. The weak position for backup still be SG, but if Ukic comes over than he can shore up that position as well as PG.

As usuall, keep up the good work guys, i dont know what I would do without your site

I would like to add a trvor ariza and i can see BC trying to get eddie house over here for a decent price

We wouldn't have the cap space next year because Bosh is getting a major raise to a max deal that starts next season, plus Ford will get a bigger deal if all goes well. There's more to it, but those are two big points. Basically, we have the cap space this year, or it's gone by the trade deadline. Doesn't mean we *have* to use it at all.

Colangelo has said more than once that Bargnani could play some SF, PF and C, but that he sees Bargnani's future being at the Centre spot. Remember, this is the GM that had a 6'8" Boris Diaw at Centre (and successfully). The game is changing, so having a 7'1" agile player with quickness and long range at the centre spot could be very interesting.

Great post once again. I'm pretty sure the pick we now owe Charlotte (through Cleveland) is NOT lottery protected this year. That protection ran out this year, as far as I remember hearing. It may be for one more year, but I'm pretty sure we're going without a number 1 no matter what next year.

That would mean making the playoffs is even more of an incentive.

Toronto’s own 2007 1st round pick to Charlotte via Cleveland (top 15 protected in the 2007 Draft, top 14 protected in the 2008 Draft, and unprotected in the 2009 Draft). [Cleveland â€" Toronto, 9/25/2002 and then Cleveland - Charlotte, 6/23/2004]

This is taken off the real GM site.

Good posts on this blog, not like those on another blog that gets countless entries â€" most of which are an effort just to scroll past. Intelligent commentary from The Franchise et al sets the standard. Keep up the good work.

Dan, thanks for the clarification.

I'm breathing a little easier now.

JYD,

If we wont have space next year for FA becuase of bosh and ford...what happens to the 8 million or so that we would STILL have to pay a free agent that year (as FA usually sign for multiple years)

Wilcox and the sonics are far apart on a number. I think there is a real opportunity to steal Wilcox. He showed what he could do in Seattle.

People need to get over the notion of Nesterovic being a starting 5 on a playoff team. I don't think that's what he was brought in for. I think the Raps are going to go with a quick athletic line up of AB at the 5 with Nesterovic coming in against the 1/2 court style of the Heat, etc. Having said that, the Raps need a quick athletic guy who can play the 5 along with (or until he's ready to start) AB. Wilcox would fit the bill. Quick, athletic, can score and rebound in bunches. We still have a question mark at the 5 and I think Bryan recognizes that.

Another option would be Robert Traylor. He's sat out the year to correct the heart (I think it was heart) issue he had and last I heard at the end of last season he was getting himself back in shape to return to the NBA. He will come cheap and is very quick for his size, can rebound well and score when needed.

Of the players mentioned Fred Jones is the only player the Raps should be targeting right now... he can shoot the 3, plays above the rim, and is young but with playoff experience. Since Indiana is looking for a new PG (apparently Anthony Johnson's great playoffs still didn't convince them he's a legit starter), sign-and-trade of Mike James for Fred Jones would be perfect.

Ariza was overhyped in NY (just like Frye, Nate and Lee are now), and really is just an athletic guy without a lot of refined skills.

I don't see the Raptors having much of a chance getting a PG/SG via trade -- simply because they don't have a lot of tradeable players left. Alvin Williams still has the ridiculous contract through 2007-08 that no one would want unless he agrees to retire or get bought out, and Mo Pete is too reliable to trade unless you get a starting SG in return.

Maybe an undrafted player would be the best option as a backup 1-2: Allen Ray? Taquean Dean? Rashad Anderson? Curtis Stinson?

eddie house will be a good addition. same w/ wesly. both are excellent 3 pt. shooters.

David Wesley is interesting...not IDEALLY what you want at that spot but like Nike said, can shoot the three and would provide some help at the 1 (anyone remember when he played point for the Hornets?) and would give this team some help in the defence, toughness and leadership departments.

As for backups BC, those four that you mentioned are on other teams for the summer at least...Ray with Boston, Dean with the Spurs, Anderson with the Wiz and Stinson with the Warriors. Tomorrow's article will be looking at our summer-league team, any free agent updates and a breakdown of our salary cap situation...stay tuned...

Scott, you're clearly not familiar with the NBA salary cap. If we use the cap space this year, we will be over the cap next year but can still sign Bosh, Ford and Peterson due to their Bird exceptions.

JYD is right - after the Ford and Rasho trades, the Raptors are pretty much capped out next summer whether they sign anybody this year or not. If they don't sign anyone, the only chance to use the space is via trade before next summer.

With the cap space, we can make an uneven trade, right? Maybe a sign and trade of James for somebody drawing a higher salary? Perhaps the Raptors will be the grease that facilitates a multi-team trade with a big time 2/3 landing in Toronto.

Thank you tommy. I know I can not familiar at all with the salary cap, hence the "I will freely admit that my capspace knowledge is worse than any other b-ball knowledge including the utah jazz roster.
" from my earlier post, and that is why I was asking.

Thank you for clearing it up

Wesley was a nice player back in the day, but he's clearly on the downside of his career. House has always struck me as a very streaky player, and not necessarily a crunch time guy. He barely got off the bench during the Suns' playoff run, as I recall.

My first choice would be Fred Jones, but as Franchise noted, Indiana will be more inclined to keep him around with Peja gone. Plus, his price may be going up with the bigger free agents already signed.

We may have missed out on Marquis Daniels. He may be going to Indiana for Austin Croshere. Looks like it's back to the Flip Murray/Fred Jones sweepstakes. Actually, with Daniels in Indiana, maybe Fred is more likely to listen to other offers...

whats wrong with eddie house he would be amazing as a raptor I would love to have him on my team anyday

Why not pursue Reggie Evans...he smoked the Raptors for 20 rebounds in a game last season...yes he has limited offense up side, but who cares...the Raptors cant rebound worth a damn, except for Bosh...and I think that applies to the current rosteras well...Colangelo hasnt addressed the poor rebounding issue at all...Raptors will get smoked on the boards again next season...

A couple of notes on the NBA salary cap:

Say for example the salary cap is set at $140 million and your current players earn a total of $120 million. That means that you have $20 million in extra space to sign people not on your team (free agents and restricted free agents). Since next year Chris Bosh and TJ Ford will most likely be resigning and they will have to be signed for substantially more than their current rookie contracts, next year's player salaries will more likely be around that $140 million, and thus the Raptors won't have that salary cap room anymore. The catch is, if they use up the cap space this year, then they can still resign Chris Bosh and TJ Ford because a team is allowed to exceed the salary cap to resign their -own- players. Thus, it would be good for the Raptors to sign one or more free agents this year, either in the preseason or after the all-star break but before the trade deadline.

On another note, rumor has it that the Raptors will be getting Fred Jones, who has long deserved a starting spot, either at 2 or 3. In a free flowing, Suns-like offensive system, his explosiveness, raw strength, and absurd leaping ability will make him an excellent second scoring option. He has 3 pt range, is a decent perimeter defender, and was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise troubled Indiana locker room.