Let’s Make a Deal

The Toronto Raptors need to make a trade.

Those words may surprise you, especially after Friday night’s hard-fought 83-73 victory in San Antonio, the defending champions’ second loss on home court in 17 games this season. The words might come as a shock to some, considering the club is surviving without its starting point guard. But with the uncertainty surrounding T.J. Ford’s health and as his basketball future hangs in the balance, the reigning NBA Executive of the Year will soon be in the spotlight. The trading deadline is approaching, and it has become apparent that this club will make a move before the clock strikes 3 p.m. on February 21.

“But why?” you ask. “Things seem to be going pretty well, right?”

Toronto is now 16-15 after 31 games, good enough for sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. This was a team that was supposed to build upon last season’s playoff berth and rise to new heights. They lost Jorge Garbajosa for the season and haven’t gotten consistent production from 2007 first-overall pick Andrea Bargnani. The biggest problem the Raptors have, however, is at the point guard position. Not because Jose Calderon hasn’t done his job. He’s filled in exceptionally for Ford as a starter. The Colangelo-era Raptors pride themselves on their depth, but look at the roster. There’s one position that may have been overlooked.

Now, granted. No one saw this coming. It was an unlucky (read: freak) injury that could never have been foreseen. But combine Ford’s history of injuries and the nature of his spinal stenosis and his career is now in jeopardy.

As The Star’s Doug Smith writes, he should take all the time he needs to decide what’s best for himself and his family. In the meantime, though, it’s time to start looking forward and planning for the worst.

So, let’s do it.

Darrick Martin is not a serviceable back-up. Juan Dixon is not a serviceable backup, nor is he a natural point guard but rather a shooting guard playing out of position because of Sam Mitchell’s lack of options.

What makes this interesting is the fact that Calderon, Dixon and Martin all have deals scheduled to expire after this season. Martin is a valuable asset to keep because he’s cheap ($770,610), great for team chemistry and is basically an assistant coach wearing a uniform. More importantly, he has two trade restrictions in his contract by virtue of a. being signed less than three months ago (the league prohibits a player from being dealt until he’s been with his new club for at least three months) and b. being a one-year “bird”, or having a one-year deal with the option to become an ‘early-bird free agent’ at season’s end. In other words, he’s un-trade-able.

Dixon, on the other hand (who you’ll recall was brought in from Portland for Fred Jones at last year’s trade deadline) is expendable and should be considered to be up for grabs.

Calderon is a team player, an efficient playmaker with a flair for the dramatic but a cool head in crunch time. Teams want this type of player, especially one with his international resume. These teams will make him offers in the off-season and force Toronto to decide on his future.

We’ll assume the Raptors hang on to him for the balance of the season (given Ford’s murky status). Toronto’s current payroll sits at $67,052,973, which puts them $11,422,973 over the salary cap. This ties Colangelo’s hands a little, but there’s still plenty of room for creativity.

With all of this in mind, let’s fire up ESPN.com’s Trade Machine to look at a few potential deals.

Idea #1:

Toronto sends Juan Dixon ($2.5m), Joey Graham ($1.6m) and cash considerations to Orlando for Carlos Arroyo ($4m) and the rights to Fran Vasquez.

Financially, this deal works out perfectly. The contracts are balanced and Toronto accomplishes its goal of getting a solid point guard (and former Raptor) in Arroyo, who’s been playing well lately, averaging around 9 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and less than 1 turnover per game this week. His recent run includes Friday’s 13 point, 5 assist, 7 rebound, 0 turnover effort against Miami.

Toronto also picks up a prospect with upside in Fran Vasquez. The Spaniard would fit well into Colangelo’s vision for the club and add to the international flavour. He’d give them a post presence with solid fundamentals and basketball IQ. Vasquez ticked off Magic brass when he decided to stay in Europe this season rather than joining the club which drafted him 11th overall in 2005, so it wouldn’t be a heartbreaking loss from Orlando’s perspective. His NBA future is unclear, making him easy to let go.

Orlando adds Dixon and Graham. They have a dearth of shooters (Hedo Turkoglu, J.J. Reddick, Pat Garrity, Keith Bogans, Keyon Dooling) and would be looking to acquire athleticism and add depth at small forward. Graham gets this done for them. Dixon is a nice throw-in who gets a second third chance to display his skill set in a system that benefits combo-guards with the desire to shoot such as himself.

The Verdict: This deal would likely never happen, because Arroyo is a valuable part of Orlando’s present and future, and they’re just not getting enough in Graham and Dixon. Vasquez is an interesting piece, but he has decent upside and the Magic would want more for him. Plus, the questions surrounding his jump to the NBA may scare Colangelo away. Too bad, really, because on paper, this deal works.

Idea #2:

Toronto sends Kris Humphries ($2.5m) and Joey Graham ($1.6m) to Memphis for Damon Stoudamire ($4.35m).

Oh, how times have changed. He may have held ill feelings toward Toronto back then, but Stoudamire, Toronto’s first-ever draft pick (seventh overall in 1995), might have a different feeling about the franchise now, given that the Raptors are a contending team. He’d welcome a move to the Eastern Conference on a club destined for the playoffs, and would be a veteran presence and mentor for the younger players. He’d be coming full circle and finishing his career where it all began. He’s on the books for two more years and is still productive at age 34, averaging 3.9 assists in 21 minutes per game with Memphis this season. This could be a nice fit.

Humphries has really been a pleasant surprise for Toronto, giving them the strong rebounder off the bench they sorely needed. But, the fact is, his trade value is at a decent level right now. Looking at the Grizzlies’ roster, this is exactly what they need; a young, energetic rebounding force. Sure, he’s locked in for another four years, but given his production (10 points, five rebounds per game in only 15 minutes per night over the last month) and potential, this is a good move for Memphis. They dump Stoudamire and get younger. Plus, they get Graham, who’s a tad overpaid but could benefit from the change of scenery and perhaps an increase in minutes.

The Verdict: (In fine Marv Albert form) “YES!” The Raptors get exactly what they need in a veteran point guard who won’t log heavy minutes, and the Grizzlies get the likeable Humphries. It will be tough to part with Humph from a defensive standpoint, but it frees up time and space in the post for Bargnani, who’s begun to get lost in the rotation. Graham is a throw-in, but they’ll take him. This trade works well for both parties, and they’d be fools not to shake on it.

By the way, have you noticed both of the proposed deals so far include former Raptors coming back to Toronto? Coincidence? Yes.

Idea #3:

Toronto sends Kris Humphries ($2.5m) and Juan Dixon ($2.5m) to Los Angeles for Sam Cassell ($6.15m).

The Clippers get rid of their wily veteran/ageless wonder in exchange for younger talent. With Shaun Livingston (ailing but still in the fold), Brevin Knight and Dan Dickau at the point guard position, the Clippers can afford to part with the geriatric Cassell in favour of a shooting combo-guard in Dixon and an energetic glass cleaner in Humphries. The deal passes the NBA’s financial litmus test, and satisfies both sides. It’s another 2-for-1, but I don’t think Colangelo flinches at the prospect of getting a proven playoff-tested veteran point guard. He gives up Humphries, whose value is higher than it may ever be right now (despite really only possessing value in one category), but Bosh, Nesterovic, Baston and Bargnani can handle the rebounding duties until season’s end.

The Verdict: It’s the Clippers and Donald Sterling, so you never know. But throw this one on the table and it gets done. The Raptors get more playoff experience and add the point guard they so desperately need. Los Angeles sheds a million bucks, gets younger and improves their rebounding and mid-range shooting. Humphries’ long-term deal is the only thing stopping this deal from being stamped. Cassell and Dixon are free agents after this year.

So there are three possible trade scenarios, and you can interpret them as you may. The Raptors don’t have a lot of tradeable commodities at this point, making any other deal unlikely. As many in the media have eluded to before, most NBA GMs would rather sit back and decline a deal than accept one and risk making the wrong move.

That being said, however, anything’s possible. Especially when the league’s top executive is sitting in the general manager’s office.

Joey Graham Knows His Civies

“Now, Chris, is this the first time you’ve ever been blindfolded?”

Ahem.

“Well, there was that time in Vegas last year at All-Star Weekend…oh, and in Rome, we…umm…yeah. Then, there was that time during my recruiting trip to Georgia Tech…let’s just say there’s a reason I chose to go there.”

And another thing. There’s a piece of hidden genius here. Graham is forced to draw…a white t-shirt. Which, if you think about it, is probably how he’ll be remembered.

“I like the way he even drew the back of the t-shirt there,” quips VJ Matte Babel. Well, that’s not too surprising, Matte, considering he’s so familiar with wearing civilian clothing. During NBA games.

Next time on “Raptors Play Pictionary”, head coach Sam Mitchell draws up a play with the game on the line, and the team has twenty seconds to figure out what it is. Oh wait, that’s just the final timeout from tonight’s game against the Hawks.

Open the Door, Get on the Floor, Everybody Walk the Dinosaur

The leaves are turning. The temperature’s plummeting. Tim Donaghy jokes are more common than court-side entourages. These clues can only mean one thing:

The Raptors are back.

Granted, it’s still the pre-season. And yes, there’s a cloud of uncertainty following Chris Bosh around these days. But the fever that captivated a city last spring has been reignited with less than two weeks remaining until opening night, and it’s about time.

It’s about time a city that has such a complicated relationship with the other MLSE-owned franchise felt unconditional passion for a team that’s easy to get excited about. The biggest difference between the A.C.C. brethren? Leafs fans spend their waking hours praying John Ferguson, Jr. doesn’t give them another reason to disown the team they’ve supported since childhood. Raptors fans support almost every move made by two-time NBA Executive of the Year Bryan Colangelo. Can you blame them? Almost every move he’s made has paid serious dividends.

The Raptors will not win the NBA title. The Raptors will not have enough cap space to make a splash at the trade deadline. But one thing they’ll do (regardless of the final outcome) is offer hope. That’s something that’s about as scarce on the Toronto sports landscape as water in the Sahara.

Now, you might have conveniently forgotten this little tidbit, but not too long ago, the Dinos were a franchise in disarray. Kevin O’Neill, Rafer Alston, Rob Babcock and Rafael Araujo (among others) turned Canada’s lone basketball club into a perennial disappointment. It once seemed as though the scar left by the aftermath of the Vince Carter era would never fully heal. But then, a miracle fell into the lap of MLSE’s basketball wing. The saviour paraded into town and continued his already impressive legacy. Suddenly, it was cool to love the Toronto Raptors again.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s not inaccurate to say that the transformation happened overnight. But now that it has, the expectations have been raised. We all know how this city operates. Give them a taste of success, and they want—no, need–it from that moment on. The Toronto sports fan is a notorious front-runner (don’t be fooled by the sellout crowds at Leafs’ games…their Bay Street suits get lost in the more colourful sea of jerseys and paint). But despite the overwhelming expectations entering this year and the stubborn belief that it can only get better, you get the feeling that no matter the result, Raptors fans will be fine.

Whether they play in the Eastern Conference Finals or lose to Chicago in the second round, the city has embraced them. Like the O’Jays once sang, people in this city are riding the love train. This in a city that lambastes a Maple Leafs’ defenseman for a bonehead mistake in the eighth game of the season. Fast forward to November 16 (yes, the eighth game of the Raptors’ schedule). Final play of the game. Toronto leads Indiana by 3. Jason Kapono (with a contract similar to that defenseman) fouls Troy Murphy from beyond the arc and Murphy makes the shot and the free throw for the four-point play that decides the game.

How long does the fallout last?

Do we hear “Trade Kapono” campaigns for almost a week after the mistake?

Does anyone question the four-year, $24 million deal signed by Kapono in the off-season?

I hope my point is being made here. There is an element of trust with this edition of the Raptors that we simply have never seen before. Colangelo could start a cult (hasn’t he already?) and he’d have a GTA-sized group of followers. But they’re not sheep. They’re not naive.

They trust him.

Ferguson, take note. There is someone not too far from your office who might be able to teach you a thing or two. You guys have something in common. You both had to rise out of the shadow of your well respected father and create your own legacy. You’ve both done it, but on opposite sides of the spectrum.

You know, John, it wouldn’t hurt to make friends with Bryan. You might learn something.

Growing the Garbo, Day 12

After Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa was ruled out for the season due to a horrific injury suffered in the March 26 game in Boston, I decided to honour him by growing my own version of his trademark beard.

We’re now at Day 12 of ‘The Garbo’ and several things are clear:

1. No one from the team has officially come out and said it, but the remainder of the season has been dedicated to Garbajosa. Toronto is 5-1 since he went down and it is clear that they are playing with a little extra motivation. Call it destiny, fate and perhaps even a little bit of luck, but the fire under the Raptors has been lit.

2. After Chicago’s victory over New Jersey last night secured the Raptors’ first division title in franchise history, the real battle will now be for home court advantage in the playoffs. Toronto needs to hang on to the 3rd seed to land home court and has to face Detroit twice before season’s end.

3. The Washington Wizards are all but finished, but Toronto is quietly hoping they still somehow manage to hang on to the 6th spot in the East. Washington is four games ahead of the Nets and despite losing Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, there is a realistic chance that they could qualify for the playoffs and hang on to their current position. New Jersey would have to win nearly every remaining game and hope Washington were to lose nearly every contest left on the schedule for the Nets to leapfrog the Wizards. So what does it all mean? Toronto will be rooting for the Wizards and against the Nets for the rest of the season.

4. After dealing with this beard for nearly a couple of weeks now, I must say one thing. Garbajosa has to be commended for putting up with his face fungus all year round. I’m surprised you never see shots of him itching it on the court, or trimming it during timeouts.

So now that Toronto has clinched a playoff berth and won the Atlantic Division, it’s time to dust off the razor and return to the real world. That’s right, folks. It’s been a good ride, but there will be no more confused looks and comments from friends and colleagues. The team will continue to play for the injured Garbajosa and I should hope that my tribute has kept the gritty veteran in the hearts and minds of basketball fans and facial hair enthusiasts alike.

Growing the Garbo, Day 4

On Monday, Spanish league veteran/NBA rookie Jorge Garbajosa went down with this gruesome injury.

It was a devastating moment for a Raptors club looking for momentum heading into the playoffs. The team’s quiet leader will miss the remainder of season, so after seeing it, I decided to pay tribute to him the only way I knew how. That night, I put away the razor and pledged to grow my own Garbo-esque beard. Consider it a hairier Mount Rushmore, if you will. But I figured it was the best way to remember the fallen 29-year-old Spaniard, whose scrappy defense, outside shooting and overall basketball IQ helped catapult Toronto into the Eastern Conference’s elite.

This is the time of year when hockey players begin thinking about playoff beards, so it’s only right to honour a vital piece of the Raptors’ puzzle while keeping this tradition alive in the process. Check in over the next few days for an update on how ‘The Garbo’ is growing.