http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...1&call_pageid=1044442959412&col=1044442957278 Is Antonio Davis done as a Raptor? GM Grunwald denies rumours he's dealing him Or does team's veteran forward want to leave? DOUG SMITH SPORTS REPORTER The Houston Rockets, with new coach Jeff Van Gundy a fan of Davis'; the Blazers, who want to change and underachieving roster; and the Dallas Mavericks, looking for toughness and rebounding to contend in the West, have been the most discussed destinations should Davis be moved. As rumours swirl and speculation mounts concerning Antonio Davis's future with the Toronto Raptors, the veteran power forward is expected to be around when training camp begins in less than a month. Or maybe not. "He will, in all likelihood, be with our team," general manager Glen Grunwald said yesterday of Davis, the soon-to-be-36-year-old who is the team's highest-paid player. But that less-than-ringing endorsement of Davis' security with the team has to lend some credence to suggestions a deal is in the works. And sources around the league say Grunwald may not be actively shopping the 6-foot-10, 230-pounder but he sure isn't telling would-be suitors that Davis is not available. The general manager offered his standard, "I don't discuss trade rumours" yesterday when the subject of a three-team deal involving Davis, the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Jersey Nets was broached but he also trotted out another of his favourite lines concerning roster moves: "We're always looking at ways to improve our team." However, that won't be the three-team deal that would have sent Davis and Kenyon Martin to Portland with Rasheed Wallace ending up in New Jersey and Dikembe Mutombo winding up in Toronto, along with other salary-cap ballast moving between the teams. While it was discussed seriously at the highest levels, according to team and league sources, it hasn't been alive for about a week, NBA sources say, because the suddenly cost-conscious Blazers balked at assuming two large salaries. The previously free-spending owner Paul Allen has set strict new spending guidelines in Portland and the team laid off more than two dozen front office employees this summer. But whether Toronto renews its interest in Mutombo, or Wallace, for that matter, fans can be assured that Davis' name will continue to pop up in trade rumours. Davis, who will turn 36 two days after the regular season begins, met last month with Grunwald and new coach Kevin O'Neill. While the general manager says Davis, the team's top rebounder and interior defensive presence remains a "key guy for us, he's got to have a good year for us" there have been whispers around the league for weeks that Davis is done as a Raptor. Whether that's of his own asking, or because the Raptors want to make a move to continue to remake their roster — there will be at least six new players on the team at the start of the season — is very much open for debate. Grunwald won't say whether Davis wants out, the nine-year NBA veteran has spent very little time in Toronto this summer and his agent, Bill Duffy, has been in Sweden at the European championships and has not returned phone messages. Reports this week that Davis has sold his Toronto house have been discounted by sources within the Raptor organization; it could be a simple a matter of a move to lessen tax burdens. But, with a salary of $12 million (all figures U.S.) this coming season and owed two more years and about $25 million after that, Davis may not be the most marketable asset Grunwald has. The Houston Rockets, with new coach Jeff Van Gundy a fan of Davis'; the Blazers, who want to change and underachieving roster; and the Dallas Mavericks, looking for toughness and rebounding to contend in the West, have been the most discussed destinations should Davis be moved. And Grunwald had serious discussions with the New York Knicks last February on a multi-player deal that involved Davis and Morris Peterson. Any late-summer trade would continue a remarkable remake of a Toronto roster than finished a horrid 24-58 last season. Not including a coaching change with Kevin O'Neill replacing Lenny Wilkens, the Raptors have added draft pick Chris Bosh, free agents Jerome Moiso, Milt Palacio and Mengke Bateer, obtained Michael Curry from Detroit for Lindsay Hunter (who Grunwald was prepared to pay to stay away) and saw the retirement of Eric Montross. With the return of Lamond Murray after missing a full season due to injury, there will be half a dozen new players in uniform on opening night, regardless of what happens with Davis. The main training camp for Raptor veterans opens Oct.2; the regular season begins Oct.29.
lets see he's 36, and he's carrer is rapidly going down hill real fast... i cant see why van gundy would want any part of this guy. you guys nixed a deal for sharif abdul rahim, why go after davis, who's best years are well an truly behind him
Just for Fun! Houston trades: PG Moochie Norris (4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.4 apg in 16.8 minutes) SF Glen Rice (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg in 24.7 minutes) Houston receives: SF Morris Peterson (14.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.3 apg in 36.0 minutes) PF Antonio Davis (13.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.5 apg in 35.7 minutes) Change in team outlook: +14.7 ppg, +8.3 rpg, and +1.3 apg. Toronto trades: SF Morris Peterson (14.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.3 apg in 36.0 minutes) PF Antonio Davis (13.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.5 apg in 35.7 minutes) Toronto receives: PG Moochie Norris (4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.4 apg in 82 games) SF Glen Rice (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg in 62 games) Change in team outlook: -14.7 ppg, -8.3 rpg, and -1.3 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED DO the Deal !
Or how about THIS: Houston trades: SF Glen Rice (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg in 24.7 minutes) PG Moochie Norris (4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.4 apg in 16.8 minutes) Houston receives: PF Antonio Davis (13.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.5 apg in 35.7 minutes) C Menk Bateer (0.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.3 apg in 3.8 minutes) Change in team outlook: +1.4 ppg, +4.7 rpg, and -0.7 apg. Toronto trades: PF Antonio Davis (13.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.5 apg in 35.7 minutes) C Menk Bateer (0.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.3 apg in 3.8 minutes) Toronto receives: SF Glen Rice (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg in 62 games) PG Moochie Norris (4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.4 apg in 82 games) Change in team outlook: -1.4 ppg, -4.7 rpg, and +0.7 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED YES!
I am with blazer ben. Antonio is just to old and is getting paid too much for my taste. He is short term solution at best and considering that his contract would be very cap unfriendly for the next 3 years, Id rather save that cap space/money and hope we can package Rice for someone else who is not such an old timer. MLC1MGblahblahblah, You propose some of the most lopsided deals I have ever seen. Good job!
To get Davis, you're gonna have to offer a package involving Griffin and Mobley to start. Something like this might work: Houston trades: * SF Glen Rice * SG Cuttino Mobley * PG Moochie Norris * PF Eddie Griffin Houston receives: * PF Michael Bradley * PF Antonio Davis * PF Jerome Williams
I wouldn't want AD for his contract and his age. I certainly wouldn't trade Mobley,Griffin,or even Taylor for him despite his weakness at rebounding.
Now that would be WAY too much for A. Davis, I wouldn't even trade Mobley by himself for Davis. His contract stinks, he's old and not worth all that.
I have to agree with Crisco, you are the one putting to much value on him.... I dont think he would be able to survive the WC..
OK, now if you guys got this worked up over trades that were in your favor, this would be a more interesting forum. The way I look at it is, you get rid of Moochie's contract. I did screw up though by sending the Junk Yard Dog to you. I should have sent a SF instead to fill a hole (Lamond Murray?). I still think you over-value your players. I might be putting too much value on Davis, but the simple fact is, he's a banger who could seriously help you guys, and a lot of teams. Could you imagine how physical your team could be with Ming and Davis in the middle? Remember, you have a coach that had the most boring offense in the history of the NBA while in NY. He had Ewing and Oakley. Plus, Griffin doesn't exactly have a lot of trade value right now.
Nugg4, Rumor has it, that CD turned down a EG/SAR swap. You really think he would give up EG up for AD?? And I know you don't think that we would give up a player like Mobley for Bradley and JWilliams.
