No need for Kleiza...

by JumpShootersRUS on Dec 4, 2010 6:46 AM EST

I do not think Linas Kleiza is a bad player or was a terrible signing. He actually has a pretty reasonable contract, and has some skills/grit. However, I do not think he warrants minutes in Toronto.

I do not see Kleiza getting much better than he is. Whereas I think that SonnyWeems, Demar DeRozan, Jared Bayless, Ed Davis, Amir Johnson, Julian Wright, and Joey Dorsey all have a chance to improve a lot. They should be getting as many minutes as possible. Kleiza is too good to accept rotting on our bench though. It would be insulting to him, since he would know that he is currently as good or better than some of the guys listed above.

After watching some of the OKC game, I thought Kleiza would make a nice addition to their bench.

Something that I personally would love, and I think would improve OKC's chances of winning a championship this year would be to see Kleiza and Reggie Evans dealt for Morris Peterson + filler + prospect/draft pick.

MoPete's contract is expiring. I would be happy to see him back in TO (sitting on the bench).

I know a lot of people love Reggie, but if they really want him, they could still resign him next year.

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Disagree

I believe the raptors need him, especially down the line, i mean julian wright is a good player and hes looking good, but what happens if weems went down can u really depend on wright? Kleiza brings alot to the table that is hard to find in other players.

Plus the trade you proposed is the worst i have ever seen, petterson is done as a player.

by ZM15 on Dec 4, 2010 6:52 PM EST reply actions

Who cares if they do not fare well…

As long as they keep trying and developing the young guys with significant upside, I am happy.

Morris Peterson, Daequan Cook (both expiring) and a draft pick for Reggie Evans and Linas Kleiza. IMO, that would make sense for both teams.

OKC has a chance to be legit. Toronto takes a short term flier on Cook and picks up another pick.

by JumpShootersRUS on Dec 4, 2010 11:33 PM EST reply actions

Until Kleiza complains

about his role, I see no reason to move him. He is still relatively young and plays hard each night he is out there. He is handy to have as insurance at the 3/4 spot… and can offer a tough mismatch at times with his post game.

The Raps already have plenty of youth to develop, potential for growth, expiring contracts, draft picks coming up, and their chemistry is solid right now.

If its not broken don’t fix it.

by Not so Friendly Stranger on Dec 5, 2010 9:43 AM EST reply actions

I for one

had no idea he had such a nice post game.

Fairly unimpressed with the rest of his game, though.

I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it

by plinytheelder on Dec 9, 2010 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

Really...

the main way I would use Kleiza is to keep an inside offensive threat while Bargs takes a breather…

Start Bargs (under the current roster) and bring Kleiza in to give him a breather…

Yes, it’s going “small ball”, but at the same time I’ve watched the Raptors play Calderon, Barbosa, and Derozan at the same time so I know they aren’t opposed to the occasional small ball move…

I would use Kleiza in the rotation of:

Bayless, Barbosa, Weems, Kleiza, Johnson

This lets Kleiza post (which he does well) it keeps shooters (Bayless/Barbosa) he can kick out to and it keeps hustling/slashing players (Weems/Johnson) to make backdoor cuts and clean up misses…

But above all, I value him as a trade piece the most…

by Mikthaniel on Dec 10, 2010 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

then again

he was awesome with the long ball in Denver, maybe just hasn’t come around yet

I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it

by plinytheelder on Dec 11, 2010 10:54 AM EST up reply actions

NO NEED FOR KLEIZA!!!!!!!!!

by elpikiman on Dec 5, 2010 2:51 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

It’s pretty aggravating to watch a guy like Kleiza struggle while guys like Davis are in need of playing time. And as much as I have enjoyed Evans’ game, he needs to be viewed as a tradeable asset and not a long-term solution.

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 5, 2010 3:05 PM EST reply actions

I think people should warm up to the idea of trading Reggie and then offering him a reasonable contract. If he really likes it in Toronto, he would come back. How could he knock a young team for looking to add an asset by trading him to a contender?

by JumpShootersRUS on Dec 5, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

Why would he return to the team that traded him?????

by ZM15 on Dec 5, 2010 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. But even if he didn’t come back, he’s a tradeable asset.

If Reggie Evans is in his early 20s, he’s untouchable. You’d get a decade of Dennis Rodman-like production.

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 5, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

OKC had Kleiza? Even if that were true, players without a no trade clause do not get to pick where they get dealt. Does Kleiza have a no-trade clause?

by JumpShootersRUS on Dec 5, 2010 5:43 PM EST reply actions

Brain cramp…You meant MoPete. If he could not accept sitting on the bench in Toronto, you waive him or buy him out…

by JumpShootersRUS on Dec 5, 2010 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

Kleiza is terrible

Decent shooter and trys hard enough that he looks like he’s a good defender on the deffensively challenged raps, but all in all the guys an awkward-looking turnover waiting to happen. If we can get a draft pick for him I’m all for it.

by Zack Hendo on Dec 15, 2010 2:17 AM EST reply actions