http://www.nj.com/nets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/111362940834810.xml Eric Williams, who has found this basketball environment even more intolerable than Carter ever did, has made it clear that he wants out of Toronto. But the Prince of Newark, who was acquired by the Raptors in the Carter deal, isn't sure how to plot his exit strategy. "At the end, we'll have a meeting, and I'll express what we want to do," said the 32-year-old forward, who sat out last night with a calf strain. "As soon as the season's over, I'm not worrying about basketball anymore. And when the draft is over, that's enough time to clear my head from this whole season and decide what to do for the rest of my career." Williams wants to control his own destiny, and given that he still has two years left on his contract, that remark would seem to suggest that he would consider taking a buyout to gain his freedom if the Raptors are amenable to clearing cap space. "If you ask me right now, yeah," he said. "I'm under contract, but at the same time, if an opportunity presents itself where I can win and maximize my talent, I have to look at it for selfish reasons." ### It's no secret that I am an Eric Williams fan. He is a nice role player, gritty and provides great energy off the bench and a lot of hustle. Wonder if the Raptors would be willing to trade an expiring contract (Baker or Moochie) for Williams? Williams is only making 3.6M. Maybe you could even expand the deal to include Donyell Marshall in a S&T.
He is exactly the type of player that the Rox will wind up signing, he is unhappy and I see Toronto taking Spoon for him. I think CD wants Donyell Marshall though and would pay the full MLE for him, Donyell's market value is MLE or MLE+, so it will be a tossup if we can even get Marshall so Williams might be worth taking a look at. I am much more intrigued with getting Gadrizic or Pachuilla from the Bucks, I still remember that play when Pachuilla ripped the ball out of Yaos hands.
EW's contract apparently comes off the books after next season, so an expiring contract is not value adding to them. EW would be a good addition, Marshall even better, but other than or in addition to the 1st round pick, what could you offer?
I"d give up a 20-30 1st rd pick for the guy. He's worth it, a vet, plays D, can score, a team player, a Jvg player.
toronto would probably do it just for Vin Baker. He has one less year on his contract. It would be a waste of a pick for a 15 minute backup who is 33 years old.
dream on toroto is so freaked out because all they got for Vince was Eric Williams and a bag of jelly beans - they won't deal with anyone now their idiot GM let the trade deadline expire without moving Donyell - now Donyell is going to walk ... and they get NOTHING! that team is going nowhere fast sigining skip to too much trading Carter for nothing I expect that they will want Tmac for Williams now I like Williams play (as a tweener SF-small PF type) - but I think the Raptors will be impossible to deal with
Is there anyone happy on Toronto? Bosh has been oftenly quiet, kind of suspicious if you ask me), but i wouldn't be suprised one bit if he bails when the time comes available. If no team has the money at FA time i could see him sign and then demand a trade next year. Toronto has been a no man's land since the days of Stevie, T-Mac, and then Vince. Now you don't even have to be a star to demand your way out of there. Their only chance is relocation, unless a player really needs the medical drug benifits.
i wouldnt give up our 1st rounder for him but a future second and either moochie or vin would work. that is a pretty fair deal for a team trying to rebuild. one year less on the contract and a pick for a 33 year old role player.
I agree..not worth a first rounder..but he would be a good backup here. I really hope the Rockets resign Mutombo and Barry. Sura/James/Moochie Wesley/Barry Tmac/Bowen Howard/Spoon/Padgett/Baker/Braggs Yao/Mutombo I like what Ryan Bowen has done this season..he's been great..pretty consistent in limited minutes..good role player..so I would want him to get to play even if we got another guy like Eric Williams. Hopefullly we can get Tyson Chandler. I would like to get someone like McINnis but who can shoot instead of Sura..
Deke and barry are HUGE parts of our team. if deke retires we won't be able to replace him for a long time. barry won't sign anywhere else. i think he likes it here too much and will also get an offer quickly from CD. i like bowen too but eric is a better version of him. great defense on the 2, 3, and maybe 4. eric also adds a little range on the jumper and some inside game. if we are able to trade for williams then bowen won't be resigned IMO.
MAN - oh i forgot to add my thoughts on getting tyson chandler.... he is a restricted FA. even if we get him to sign for the MLE they will match it for sure. I doubt they work out a S&T with us either. we have nothing even remotely decent to offer back. all we have are ending contracts of spoon and baker. if they want cap space in return for chandler then they would let him walk.
BTW - trading for Williams or SnT for Marshall? probably determined by NEXT GM (as Babcock may soon be cold cocked).
