Linkage – June 25
Yesterday, chatter out of Greece suggested club team Olympiakos was prepared to offer Raptors starter and Euroleague legend Anthony Parker a lucrative deal believed to be worth $21 million US over three years to leave. Parker is under contract with the Raptors for another year at $4.5 million.
Now comes word that Carlos Delfino, who averaged nine points and 4.8 rebounds for the Raptors last season, is also highly coveted, by Olympiacos rival, Panithanaikos.
Greek newspapers, television stations and websites have connected Delfino to the team, but Panathinaikos has declined to comment on the situation.
There is a bit of an arms race going on over in Greece, with Olympiakos, jealous of Panathinaikos’ dominance of Greek basketball in the past decade, recently adding international stars Theodoros Papaloukas and Nikola Vujcic. Panathinaikos has signed three lesser-known players and may have attempted to lure Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola who, like Delfino, is a member of Argentina’s national team.
While Colangelo burned up the phone lines yesterday at the Air Canada Centre talking trade, members of his scouting staff reportedly travelled to Philadelphia to check out a group workout featuring Darrell Arthur (who previously ducked the Raptors twice), Alexis Ajinca (who the team saw early in the process and liked), Marreese Speights (who they saw and didn’t like) and Jason Thompson, a stat-stuffer from Rider, whose stock rapidly has risen after several impressive workouts, including a previous one with the Raptors.
That Toronto is still sniffing around potential picks speaks to the uncertainty of the draft, and also the T.J. Ford situation.
Because so much of what Toronto does – or doesn’t do – tomorrow night depends on what other teams do, the Raptors must have all their bases covered.
If the Raps have a list of five or six potential picks at No. 17, they all must be investigated because teams above them may scoop up three or four, forcing Toronto to look further down its wish list.
And all the while the Ford situation remains fluid.
There are still debates going on in Toronto and Indiana over a possible Jermaine O’Neal trade. However, concerns over injuries to both principals is giving both teams cause for concern. And according to a league source, a deal involving Ford and the Phoenix Suns remains very much alive.
Indiana general manager Larry Bird would not comment on specifics yesterday.
“We have talked to a number of teams, but to speculate on trades right now, obviously we’re getting close to the draft,” Bird told reporters. “There are a lot of things we’re doing and it’s all speculation right now.”
With the draft tomorrow night and the NBA on fire with trade rumours, the focus is naturally on the Raptors’ future.
And let’s face it, predicting the Raptors’ immediate and long-term future would be so much easier if anyone knew exactly what they had in the enigmatic Italian.
Given he was the No. 1 pick in 2006, it seems fair to expect that Bargnani might be a budding all-star heading into his third NBA season.
No one is completely ready to throw in the towel on the 22-year-old, seven-footer, though it’s been balled up and ready to be tossed from this corner since about roughly January.
He’s got talent, but that only gets you started in the NBA.
As the Boston Celtics proved, you can never really have enough size. They controlled the paint in the NBA final and have a championship to show for it.
So on that basis, a deal – reported to include Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and the Raptors’ No.17 pick – would make some sense. The Raptors would create room for Jose Calderon to start and add a high-quality NBA big man who theoretically is due to play a 75-game season one of these years.
That they feel the need to upgrade their front line is proof that Bargnani is at least two years away from being a legitimate starting centre in the NBA, unless they envision spending nearly $44-million (all currency U.S.), which is the amount O’Neal is owed this season and next, for O’Neal to come off the bench.
But because Bargnani regressed so remarkably in his second season and has shown no spark as a rebounder or serious interior defender in any case, the Raptors are left trying to plug more holes than they have patches. The opportunity to rid themselves of injury-prone and high-maintenance Ford and add one of the NBA’s better big men (when healthy) might even fill one of them.
But dealing the No. 17 pick would mean the Raptors won’t be able to draft an emerging wing prospect or trade up to get one, or even draft from the relatively deep pool of big men who might turn into the kind of aggressive, shot-blocking, ball-chasing frontcourt player most good teams have in their rotations and that the Raptors don’t.
But that’s what happens when a No. 1 pick – even one in a draft pool as shallow as the 2006 class, retrospectively – shows signs of not panning out.
Rather than a building block, you’re left with a question mark and no clear answers.
In theory if the Raptors brain-trust persists with a deal for O’Neal it’s because they’ve assured themselves that the limping, no-lift shadow that has been Jermaine O’Neal the past two years is likely to become a 20-10 post presence again and that somehow a player that fills a very similar role to Chris Bosh – at least offensively – will help the Raptors stay in an increasingly tight Eastern Conference playoff picture.
That’s might be the professional wisdom. The common wisdom isn’t so sure.
Action: Reports suggest Nicolas Batum’s agent will distribute medical reports saying his client’s 100 per cent healthy.
Reaction: In Toronto? Yawn.
No matter what that report says, I’m told the Raptors aren’t going to try to see him today and he’s off their list of possibilities.
All throughout the workout process, Jim Kelly has said publicly and people have told me privately, that the Raptors would indeed be comfortable drafting a guy they hadn’t had in Toronto.
It’s been mentioned so often, I don’t know if it’s one of those smokescreen things or real fact; I just throw it out to get the masses chattering.
Best case scenario: At #17, there’s a sincere possibility a great little prospect could remain on the board. Darrell Arthur’s bangerball or Kosta Koufos’ pick-and-pop machismo could fit in Smitch’s offense just fine. Brandon Rush would also be a victory.
More likely scenario: Robin Lopez might be atop Jay Bilas’ “Best Player Remaining” board when the Raptors pick. D. Arthur’s twin J.J. Hickson wouldn’t be a shocking reach.
Please don’t take: JaVale McGee (passport issues) and Nicolas Batum (heart concerns [literate sense, not metaphorical]) previously occupied this designation. The Raps won’t be risking it on either, though, so let us refuse Alexis Ajinca here. Ajinca is a great prospect, actually; it’s just that everyone knows Smitch secretly resents to Euro-osity of this roster. We don’t want Sam punching Andrea Bargnani in frustration when Ajinca misses a defensive read in practice.
No. 17: Toronto,
Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
Like the Blazers, the Raptors have a ton of young guys and would love to move the pick for some veteran help. But if they draft, the other Lopez twin gives Toronto defense and a shot-blocking presence inside even though he doesn’t score much. He will be even more important if Rasho Nesterovic’s attractive contract is moved.
“I’ll be nervous not knowing where I’ll be going,” said Arthur, who will be in attendance for the draft in New York. “I’ll be anxious and excited at the same time.”
Arthur certainly didn’t appear to be nervous during his hourlong workout at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Sixers’ practice facility. He went through a series of drills for Sixers brass including general manager Ed Stefanski, senior vice president and assistant general manager Tony DiLeo, coach Maurice Cheeks as well as Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry and Raptors coach Sam Mitchell.
Arthur participated in this particular workout with 7-foot-1 center Alexis Ajinca from France, Drexel forward-center Frank Elegar and Saint Joseph’s forward Rob Ferguson.
“It’s been pretty fun,” Arthur said. “I’ve been getting to play against people I have never played against in college. Going through this whole experience is cool.”
Well, I had a chance to talk to Ford on Monday.
We chatted via back-and-forth text messages for about 10-15 minutes. I had originally contacted him to see if he’d come on the air with me or at least give me a quote or two for this ‘ol blog. But TJ wanted to keep things off the record.
So I’ve got to respect his wishes. I can’t say much at all about what we chatted about. However, I don’t think Ford would mind me sharing this one line that he gave in response to all of the trade talk:
“I guess we will see, but I like Toronto.”
I get the feeling that Ford knows in his heart of hearts that something is likely going to happen but he wants to remain a Raptor. He said that almost two months ago when the players were cleaning out their lockers after the first-round loss to the Magic. Ford had nothing but good things to say about T.O. and his future here. But the only comment that a lot of folks remember - like it or not - was when Ford stated that he wanted to be in Toronto but didn’t see himself coming off the bench (i.e. - backing up Jose Calderon) for 82 games.
Calderon later made a similar comment to the Spanish media overseas.
No matter who is right, wrong, or otherwise … it seems clear (and it’s been clear for a while) that one of the two guards must go before the beginning of next season and all signs - right now - appear to be pointing to Ford being the one on the move.
As for the Raptors, rumours have been swirling that this pick will be packaged with T.J. Ford to acquire Boris Diaw or Jermaine O’Neal. However, should Toronto keep the pick, reports have indicated the Raptors will look to upgrade their frontcourt through the draft. TSN.ca predicts Toronto will select Stanford big man Robin Lopez at the 17th spot. While not as polished offensively as his brother Brook Lopez, Robin should bring some much-needed rebounding and energy to the Raptors.
17. Toronto Raptors. Donte Greene, F, Syracuse. While they’re reportedly working on a trade to acquire Jermaine O’Neal for T.J. Ford, they’re said to be wowed by Greene.
There’s as good a chance that something big will happen within the next 36 hours as there is that nothing will be finalized until after the draft has come and gone - NBA rules state that a team must select a draft pick once every 2 NBA Drafts, and Toronto held no draft picks last year. So potentially the Raptors will have to make a selection just to send them elsewhere afterwards. And following proper trade protocol all sides mentioned are denying any involvement, to try and dash any hopes rising in regards to these rumours.
But for myself there still remains a shining light from this most recent round of ‘Deal or No Deal’, and it’s that Bryan Colangelo is a GM located yes, here in Toronto who has actually lived up to his word of making improvements to the team; for once it’s not just talk. Yes at the moment only mere speculation is rampant, however with Colangelo’s track record both here in Toronto and back in Phoenix, it’s not a leap of faith to believe he’s on the verge of making significant moves yet again. Colangelo gives off the feeling that he’s actually in charge of running the team from a GM role, something rather uncommon around these parts - especially when the title “MLSE” hangs over their heads. Whether you’re a Toronto Raptors fan or not, that in itself is a feat worth acknowledgment.
And soon enough we’ll find out if BC was able to work his magic yet again.
Jun 25th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Year 3 of the Raptors’ experiment with Bryan Colangelo at the helm kicks off tomorrow night.
How he handles the departure of Ford and the on-going development of Bargnani (or the lackthereof) will determine the perception of his tenure as the Raptors’ guiding light.
The night before Christmas … is always loads of fun!
Jun 25th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
JO for TJ, Rasho and #17… who likes it? Me, for one!
Jun 25th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Agreed Khandor. I know I won’t get much sleep tonight.
Scott G, JO for TJ & Rasho has my blessing. I’d rather keep the pick. JO for TJ is pretty much a wash in the risk taking department, plus you are giving Indy huge cap relief next season (or fodder for another trade).
Jun 25th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I’d like to keep the pick, but if they take away Joey Graham I’ll be a happy camper.
Spudzs last blog post..Book Organization | My Eclectic Segregations
Jun 25th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
yup, as long as we get to keep Maceo as our back up centre, I’m all for it.
God knows Jermaine has an AMAZING track record as a starting centre.
Jun 26th, 2008 at 7:40 am
“You take the good, you take the bad. You take them both, and then you have the facts of life.”
God knows Maceo has an AMAZING track record getting off the bench.
Spudzs last blog post..Book Organization | My Eclectic Segregations
Jun 26th, 2008 at 9:49 am
If this gets rid of Joey Graham It will help me deal with the loss of T.J much better. Joey has been a pain in my a$$ for far to long. It is just like this annoying thing that won’t go away. The last part of that pathetic Vince Carter Trade and memories of Rob Babcock it all makes me ill.
Jun 26th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Joey is more likely due to his bigger contract (depending on the qualifying)
Maceo is/was being floated out there looking to scoop up another draft pick in addition to our 41st. If that DOESN’T work, look for BC to convince the Pacers to take Maceo instead of Joey.