Summer League Roster Released

We had a substantially larger offer above the mid-level from Toronto," Lee said. "Trevor decided to go to Houston

Ugh..So close it breaks my heart..The STIGMA strikes again

I am not suprised Banks will not be there. Summer league is for guys who need to work on their games and teams want to look at. Even though Banks needs to work, I think that he was written off before the end of the season and the Raptors are just going to let him sit on the end of the bench and then include him in some sort of package for an expiring contract. Why take away minutes from guys who want to play Bball?

Thank you kindly for the 5 minute reprieve from free agency. It's getting quite maddening, more so from the fans (not so much on this site though, I find the comments here to be more level-headed which is great) than from the Raps front office. I think the wait is wise.

Anyway, i think it's great to see Carl English on the roster. I wonder if Hughes will have to reign in his trigger happy ways? Wasn't he supposed to be signing some big Spanish deal this summer? Does his decision to play in the SL impact this I wonder?

Keep up the great work!

I read at Smith's blog that the staff actually DID ask Marcus Banks to be on the summer league team, but that he refused. You know, because he's already proven himself as...um. Well, he lit it up that time...hm. Well he's at least a servicable back-up p...uh...

Marcus Banks sucks.

Our summer league roster makes BCs plan for these guys easy to figure out. It looks like all of the guys that played for us last year will be evaluated to determine how significant their role will be next year with Nichols and Parker having outside chances to fill some vacancies on the wing and back up PG positions. I’ve never seen Nichols play but he does have an NBA body; I’m curious to see if he’s any good. I mean if Moon started for us last year……………….

Smush Parker is one of those guys that looked like a half decent baller in L.A. but then just horrible in Mia, so it’ll be interesting to see which Smush shows up for summer league. He is exactly the type of low cost investment we need as a back-up tho bec if Roko breaks out then we can sit him or buy him out but if Roko doesn’t then he has enough experience and ability to get the job done.

Will we be able to see any of these games on the net?

Tks for the summer league updates.

HOWEVER this free agency is driving some of us over the edge !!!!

Some quick number crunching,and I know Bargs is not Turk,but...

Turk...season average #'s 16.8...Rebounds 5.3...Assists 4.9 30 years of age.Possible 50 mil. +

Bargs...season average #'s 15.4,rebounds 5.3 Assists 1.2 24 years of age.

Do you think Barg's agent is going to have a field day if this happens...

What do you think is going through our rook D.D.'s mind right about now !!!

Bringing five roster players to summer league likely torpedoed any chance at bringing in higher profile NBA scrubs. Agents would rightfully assume that FA players would be slotted well behind the Raptors Fab Five when it comes to minutes and touches.

What does surprise me is that we couldn't attract some higher profile SF prospects, aside from Nichols. An opportunity to be the situational shooter behind Marion is an opportunity ripe for the taking. The last time Douby balled in summer league he volume-scored the heck out of it. Since that isn't his role in the NBA, I see him working on his raw PG abilities. Ukic is the key Raptor, and Jawai would have been 1A had he not had a lost developmental season last year. DD will be the most fun to watch, but you learn the most from the players that spent the whole NBA season developing parts of their game they weren't able to show in limited minutes.

There is nothing stopping us from signing up another team's summer league player should they impress. I'm also hopeful that the Raptors brass dig in to that 3million to add some guaranteed cash to the pre-season non-guaranteed contracts offered to training camp invitees. Miami has been known to do the same, using upfront cash to lure undrafted prospects in for a closer look. Examples would be guys we brought in for workouts like Jerel McNeal or Dionte Christmas.

Summer League won't be broadcasted... At least, that's the indication so far from MLSE. However, we might do some coverage on it since SOME reporter from the big blue newspaper was pretty dismissive about it ;)

I think the more players the Raptors can get from their second unit playing together in the summer league, the better. It'll hopefully help them develop chemistry as a cohesive second unit. I think if more teams did that, summer league would be more interesting. Just my mini rant :p

Is it just me or is it scary that 5-6 guys from the SUMMER LEAGUE squad could be on the opening night roster?!?!

I've got a question. If reports suggesting that Toronto is Hedo's preferred destination, they why is it that we need to outbid the blazers for him? Wouldn't a similar offer at the very most be enough to entice him?

I think there's a lot of energy wasted on what could have been. Ariza signs with Houston...it will be interesting to see how that works out. He showed some things in the playoffs and his youth and defensive proficiency were attractive attributes, but let's move on.

The interesting aspect of players signing with teams other than Toronto for less money is that the agent, who gets a percentage of the deal, ends up losing out unless I'm missing something.

As for summer league...I've always found that teams in the Raptors position (middle of the road team to start looking to compete in the conference with limited financial flexibility) go into summer league looking to see how they're spent money might work for them...hoping to get a good gauge on specific players already in the fold. Since minutes are finite, any additional invites aren't too important unless they really blow your socks off, even then, they still might end up with few chances to play in the regular season (see Bayless). DeRozan, Ukic, Jawai, O'Bryant...those are the priorities in order because if those players show themselves as potentially capable contributors (either through existing talent or significant improvement) the team is better off before having made any additions. I also like the idea of the Basketball Development assistant as the head coach of the team because he would have the time and inclination to breakdown the respective players to see what else can be done to make them important pieces.

Banks is set for life after signing a ridiculous contract with Phoenix. He's nothing but salary cap deadweight now, but I doubt he really cares if he ends up like Smush Parker "on the outside looking in."

As far as the summer league roster goes, Nichols has an outside chance of making the roster, but otherwise it's just a chance to let the aforementioned "starting five" get in some playing time. I'm curious to see how Quincy plays; he was a helluva scorer in college and I wonder if he could contribute as a poor man's Ben Gordon off the bench.

Did anyone notice that the Raps "Greek Garbo" Giorgios Printezis signed with a Spanish team, and therefore won't be in a Raps uniform:

http://proexposure.com/itranswire.cfm

(july 2)

Raptors obviously do not consider Printezis capable of contributing in the NBA at this time, given that their prioity is SF/SG, of which he is one.

Still pretty quiet out there on the Raptors' free-agent front. The more I think about it, the more I think fans should be hoping for Lee or bust.

Lee wouldn't start in TO, but would both be insurance in the Bosh situation, and be a good trade chip even if he gets a sizeable deal as he's just starting to enter his prime.

I'm dreading a Hedo signing, not only because I feel he's over-valued, he's 30, and is looking for a dollar amount that would gut the club, but what happens if his production falls off within a year or two? This happens quite often with players after that "30" mark and then isn't Toronto stuck in a similar situation as JO - a vastly overpriced deal that no one will want? Didn't they just go through this?

Also, thanks for the update on Printezis BC, it sounded from reports that as Johnn19 mentioned, he wasn't ready to come over yet.

Finally, I think Geoff makes a very good point here. I looked through the Summer League rosters of teams the Raptors expect to compete with next year (Wizards, Bulls etc) and most have two, MAYBE three players on their squads who realistically can make the team next year.

Um...if Toronto is considering Smush Parker as a back-up PG option, they could have up to SIX!

I think that fact alone shows just how much work still needs to be done this off-season, as right now there's only Reggie Evans and Hump between those Summer Leaguers and Bosh, Jose and Andrea...

David Doblas in the Raptors summer league squad? Wow, that is weird, he looks like a very long shot to ever play a minute in the NBA, I understand it's a good learning experience from him but I can't see why the Raptors would invit him... Probably his friendship with Calderon has something to do with it.

Anyway, he is a bruising PF with a reputation as one of the dirtiest players in the spanish league (spanish Bruce Bowen?), so if he gets going he may even spice things up in the summer league

Just to add a dose of reality to where the Raptors are right now, with 10 guaranteed contracts, 11 when DeRozan signs, their average age is 24 years old.

A long way from contending for the Eastern Conference.

1st step, be a consistent playoff team, 2nd step, win a round or 2, 3rd step win 2 or 3 rounds. A long way to go, using Houston as an example, a much better team over the last 10 years, won their 1st playoff round this year, and Raptors have 1 win in 15 years. A long way to go!

grang is reporting that the marion deal is actually 4 years and $32 million.

Not feeling that as much. If you're getting up into the territory I think you need to start exploring the whole Hedo thing.

With the Artest and Ariza deals in the books, why aren't we looking at the same mid level exception numbers? Why does Marion think he's worth more than Artest?

In either case, we win as long as Hedo isn't on our roster.

Don't have to worry about Hedo anymore.. He's a Blaze.

Dominoes continue to fall.

As ustation just posted, sounds like Hedo is going to be a Blazer from ESPN reports.

Yes...that sound you hear is me popping champagne bottles like Lil Wayne and Birdman...

Maybe Marion gets more from Colangelo for chemistry purposes. Colangelo knows his mental make up better than anyone else who might sign him so to keep him content and productive, he gives him the ego boost that is getting more money than Artest or Ariza. You can kind of argue that it makes sense, when you consider career production. He's a known quantity that won't go crazy in as pronounced away as Artest. He's more offensively proven than Ariza. He fits what we need and there won't be an adjustment period necessary. I've always thought he was better than Turkoglu and am happy the team isn't going in that direction actually

I really hope Marion does not get four years from the Raptors. I do not mind the per year value so much, but that fourth year will be really pricey at the age he'll be. No matter what I hope the deal is front loaded and structured so his salary decreases the maximum 10 percent per year.

Must be funny if you could watch marions agent right now as the money starts drying up.

I like the frontloaded idea jben, but would love toronto to somehow grab lee for bosh back-up.

Agreed re: Marion; however, the X factor as to whether the Raps bring him back is if he decides he'll take the MLE to go play for a championship in a place like Cleveland.

As far as Hedo goes, I think the Blazers did themselves a huge disservice by signing him. They've gone and messed up their chemistry because Rudy now seems to be unhappy. They are now guaranteed to be moving Outlaw before the start of the season (Batum makes less); and ultimately I'm not sure how Hedo is supposed to put them over the top because I'm not sure he's that much better than Outlaw. Puzzling move to say the least.

Rob

PS-A buddy who works at the Contra Costa times in NorCal just told me that the Warriors are now going to make a major push for Bosh since the Amar'e deal fell through; and that there have already been talks with Colangelo. I took it with a grain of salt though because he's a fan of the Warriors also.

Raptor fans dodged a bullet with Hedo signing in Portland... With a starting line-up of that included Hedo, Calderon, Bargs, Bosh and Delfino (or rookie DD), Raptors could have possibly been the worst defensive team ever assembled.

Hmmm...if Grange's sources are correct about Marion at 4 years, $32M that screams sign and trade to me. I can't see BC overpaying considering Ariza got the (full) MLE.

Wow, 4 yrs/32 mil is way too much to give Marion; considering that there hasn't been much interest in him and the contracts signed by Ariza/Artest. We could sign Keliza for less than half of that, and although he wouldn't be ideal as our starting SF, at least he can hit his 3's.

I hope the sources that gave Grange those numbers are the same ones that told him that the Raps were going to offer 60mil to Turk.

Rob

Just sign Marion already...

then trade Bosh and Calderon to the Suns for Nash, Stoudamire, and a draft pick.

Pick up Jarret Jack for spare parts and all of a sudden we are back in the mix.

Nash and Marion don't have many years left, but the hype those 3 would generate for Toronto will make it a much more attractive destination for future free agents. It will put us on the map and radar for down the road.

Just do it already...i'd love it from a Suns perspective as well...

...and bring Parker back,

Nash, Parker, Marion, Stoudamire, Bargs as your first 5...

Derozan, Jack and whoever the hell you want off the bench.

I'd pay money to watch that show.

p.s. I love this site. Its the best basketball/blog website out there. There are some stupid ideas (like mine) but also a ton of constructive plans and feedback for the future.

Ive been on the Raps bandwagon since that goof Heisley stole my Grizz from the West Coast...maybe BC can pull my boy Dickerson out of retirement!

Keep up the good work crew...I read this stuff every day!

BC must have alot of patience and intestinal fortitutde to be waiting out this FA signing period - namely becasue so much rides on it.

Regardless of what happens, I think we will be ok.

Might be nice to pry Rudy Fernandez away from Portland at some point. I think Jose would appreciate it too.

Thank goodness we let another team overpay for Hedo. It looks like the odds are good that Marion will end up back in Raptor land, unless he wants to sign for the mid-level somewhere else.

I've sung Paul Millsap's praises and I was hoping the Raps might make a play for his services, but he's apparently looking for $10 million a season. Either he comes back down to reality or the Raps will have to look at other options.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Raptors are offering a four-year deal in the $36 million range, but Marion is said to be seeking a five-year deal in the $50 million range, similar to what Turkoglu is likely to receive from the Trail Blazers.

Hope BC won't cave in.

okay.... so far things are holding to my June 30th prediction....so once again....SURPRISE ME BC!!!

mcclarky says:
June 30th, 2009
Okay... barring anything amazing happening... here is the lineup I am getting myself prepared for this season:

Calderon
Derozan
Marion
Bosh
Bargs

Ukic
Delfino
Barnes
Evans
Frye

Douby
Hump

dont worry... i do realize that DD is a SF but I have a feeling we'll see him at the 2 if nothing pans out in free agency. ;)

Lot's of people reporting the Hedo deal is dead with Portland.

Yahoo is reporting that Turkoglu has pulled out of his deal with Portland and may be headed to Toronto. Let's hope that is not true since I do not want him on the Raps.

Wouldn't mind Hedo personally, it's the roster damage I'm not crazy about. Maybe some trades are imminent? Anyway, let's see where the newest FA craziness goes.

There are now stories on both sides of the coin. I should really go out!

Yahoo Sports is reporting that Hedo signed for 5 years / $56 million with the Raps.

As many have mentioned, this means that we now have essentially 4 players in the starting 5 that play no D... are we signing Scottie Pippen circa 1993 to play the 2?

Sign and Trade with Marion? We can still do that to acquire some D ... I'm stealing that from a Twitter post.

this is from ESPN.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Raptors are offering a four-year deal in the $36 million range, but Marion is said to be seeking a five-year deal in the $50 million range, similar to what Hedo Turkoglu was reportedly trying to receive from the Trail Blazers before talks broke off.

Based on that, I think Hedo is a better option. We need a person who can create their own shot. Otherwise Bosh will continue to be double teamed. Marion and Hedo are both the same age, so really what's the difference.

Could BC get Turk AND Marion?

Yikes!

Someone better get Franchise a prescription for some really really strong sedatives...

God I hope the Hedo rumour/numbers are not true. If he is set to make 56 mill over 5 years, the least he would make next year is 9.6 million (with maximum 8% annual raise there after). That means that all of Toronto's current cap space would be used up on him.

Renouncing Parker and Delfino and Marion to get under the cap, filling the three cap spots with one person Turkoglu and then using the midlevel for maybe Kleiza? So then the question is..are Turkoglu and Kleiza better than Delfino and Marion (didn't see parker coming back)? is that how things are going to be spun? Or is this part 1 of 7? Doug Smith hasn't posted a reader comment since 3:21 this afternoon so I think this story has some legs and he is looking to confirm the story. Yahoo sports does a good job with these stories, so now I'm trying to figure out how they intend to address the defensive deficiencies.

Where this worries me a little (not a lot because there is a lot of summer left) is this team building philosophy that doesn't seem to value athleticism as much as it does shooting ability. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Interloper,

I do not think we should be comparing Turk + Kleiza/other MLE signing to Marion + Delfino because the team could still sign the same player using the MLE no matter how much they were to pay Marion and Delfino.

ESPN reporting deal done: Turkoglu headed to Toronto

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4305310

JBen

Yeah, they could sign Delfino and Marion for whatever they wanted and still sign a MLE player, but would that mid level player be worth going into the luxury tax? That's why I was making that particular comparison under the assumption they wanted to maintain a similar total salary and avoid the tax.

Finally, someone to take clutch shots!

TURKOGLU!!!!!

Is this not similar to the Magic signing Rashard Lewis to crazy money before they became a legitimate conference contender? I wonder if more is going to happen via trades.

Ok, I know this is a bit of a stretch but maybe this was more of a symbolic move than anything else. By many accounts Turkoglu was the top prize on the market (yeah, weak free agent year, but still) So for the Raptors to come away with this top prize could be viewed as one of those developments where they're saying hey..we will do what it takes. 5 years is a bit much but Duncan is 34, Shaq is 37, Kidd is 36, McDyess is 36 so it's not like 5 years of quality production is impossible for a guy who relies on savvy. Additionally this makes for a BIG lineup... DD at 6'8, Turk at 6'10, Bosh 6'10, bargs at 7 and Jose at 6'3 has some size to it (especially when you sub in Roko at 6'5..and it's not like this size can't run the floor, so there is some versatility that wasn't there before. It's worth watching no matter where you stand on the deal and this isn't a conventional line up by any means.

Colangelo has stated he had $21mil to spend on FA's, to keep below the projected tax level, forget the cap #. Dosen't matter who or how many, or when. If Marion does not want to play, Turk is a good option. Will have to wait and see who else will be added.

Well, if the options were Marion for 5 years at 10, or Hedo for roughly the same, we definitely chose right.

Hopefully BC has something up his sleeve though, and we can add a bit of depth to the roster...if so, I'm excited!

if i'm not mistaken, we would have had the MLE and bi-annual money to use had we re-signed shawn marion... wouldn't we still have this money to use if we sign hedo turkoglu even though he'd be making 2-3 million per season than marion? if that's the case, then we'd still have the chance to sign, say, delfino and kleiza or some PG to fill out our bench... if BC can do that, then i won't be too dissatisfied with the roster... that being said, signing turk for that amount and for that length just doesn't make sense to me... REALLY REALLY hope BC has some other moves up his sleeve, otherwise we'll be stuck in 8-9th-lottery-spot mediocrity for the next 5 years.

The big question now becomes what about our bench??? Turkoglu is great and all but giving up Delfino and Parker, (assuming DD starts) means we have a bunch of bums coming of the bench.

Do you think, I'm just throwing this out there, a trading Bosh is imminent? Trading Bosh to a Golden State for 3 or 4 quality players could really round this team out.

Slow down. The deal is not confirmed and the details are not out. Is there any reason that this could not be a 2 way sign and trade deal with Marion going to the Magic. That might leave a few dollars to keep Delfino and use the MLE on another player. Or I might not get how it all works. I'm waiting on the details. I can't see BC not bring Delfino back somehow.

jawai is gone to dallas how is he going to play for the raptors in the summer leauge i dont get it at all