http://tsn.ca/nba/teams/news_story/?ID=172102&hubname=nba-raptors It didn't take long for the Toronto Raptors to set their sights on a replacement for John Salmons. According to a report in the Toronto Sun, the Raptors are closing in on a deal with shooting guard Fred Jones. Jones, who won the 2004 slam dunk contest, averaged 9.7 points per game for the Indiana Pacers last season. Though he is a fantastic athlete, he is a suspect shooter. Jones has a career shooting percentages of 41.5% from the field and 35.0% from three-point range. Because Jones is a restricted free agent, the Pacers have the right to match any offer he receives. The Raptors had a five-year, $23-million deal in place for Salmons, but the versatile swingman backed out.
More Pacer salary dumping as they make room for Al Harrington. Good save by the Raptors in light of not getting Salmons. Too bad the Rockets couldn't get in on the Pacer salary dumping with their 4.2M TPE.
Which player did you have in mind? I hope it was not Stephen Jackson. People can criticize the Artest/Peja trade, but basically the Pacers end up trading Peja for Harrington, which IMO is an upgrade. Peja will break the hearts of the Hornets and will be the most disliked player (by the fans) on the team. He has no heart, plays like a wimp and can be intimidated very easily. Now that he has his guaranteed mega-contract, he may slack off even more. If they make the playoffs, look for another choke job or injury.
You could move Howard for Stephen Jackson. But I would have been more interested in either AJ or Fred Jones. But looks like both have been moved. The Pacers made a nice save by being able to get that 7.5M TPE from the Hornets for Peja which paves the way for the AH signing. That was huge. I am not high on Peja so I do think the Pacers made out ok in the end with Al.
Thanks Deuce. Adding S.Jax would still be worth it IMO. Desert Scar proposed this earlier in the GARM as well.
Have to give Colangelo a solid A for this offseason. He's really made some strong moves with that roster. Ford - Calderon - Williams Peterson - Jones - Parker Graham - Bargnani Bosh - Humphries - Sow Rasho - (Bosh) Not a polished gem of a team, but they're really getting there. Upgrade the 2 and add depth in the frontcourt, you've got a playoff team. Evan
With today's signings of Fred Jones and Jorge Garbajosa, it's more like this: C) Rasho, Bargnani, (Bosh), (Humphries) PF) Bosh, Humphries, (Garbajosa), (Bargnani) SF) Peterson, Garbajosa, Graham, (Parker) SG) Parker, Jones, (Graham), (Peterson) PG) Ford, Calderon, (Jones) It looks like Uros Slokar (PF/C) and PJ Tucker (SG/SF) will also be signed for depth. Forget Alvin Williams, he's done. That team could finish anywhere from 6 ~ 10, with a decent shot at the 8th seed, likely getting Colangelo EOY honors once again.
You're right although I still can't help but think they gave up too much in the Villanueva/Ford swap. We'll see what happens though. Toronto should be a fun team to watch now.
Deal down, get foye, keep Charlie. I think Colangelo has done a terrible job, IMO. I really would not have dealt Charlie. I would've gone to say #3, gotten Knight + Foye for Alvin + #1. Knight, Foye, Mo run the rotations at the 1,2 with Freddie. Let Charlie, Rasho, Chris, Joey get the time at the 3,4 and 5. I really think Charlie is something damn good, except for his defense, now that's bad.
No. Charlie V. was traded because he couldn't play SF and was forcing Bosh to play Center (well, he had to play Center anyways with Toronto's complete lack of 5's, but point is that it's not good to have the franchise player's optimal position be taken by a borderline All-Star.) Barganani is damn near 7'1 250+ pounds. How is that not Center size? If this was two or three years ago, then yes, Bargnani would be looked upon as a Small Forward, but his game and body has transitioned to that of a Big.
