CalgaryRapsFan wrote:
Doesn't that depend on when the trade would have been consummated? If Philly was specifically targeting Ross, then it would seem to have been at least after the draft. Even after the Lowry deal, a similar deal could still have been struck with Philly, if Toronto was able to turn other assets (ie: future 2nd round picks and cash) into a future 1st round pick. Given that the combined salary of Calderon & Davis & Ross (~$15.33M) is more than Iggy (~$14.72M), it also wouldn't have had any negative impact on the salary cap (ie: signing of Fields). Had Philly not traded Iggy to Denver, the only thing standing in the way of that deal being made today, is Toronto's ability to secure a future 1st round pick via trade.
Regardless, I agree that the price was too high to pay, if BC had the feeling that Iggy would wind up being a rental player. That likely would have ended BC's tenure as Raptors GM, no matter how good a season they had this year with Iggy on the roster.
However, I would still do that deal in a heartbeat for Rudy Gay ($16.5M), with either Ross or DeRozan involved (remaining player would become a fantastic 6th man scorer off the bench for Toronto). I just don't see Memphis being as high on Davis as Philly was, since Memphis already has Randolph and Arthur at PF. Plus, Toronto would still need to acquire that future 1st round pick - they have 2 2nd round picks in 2013, 1 2nd round pick in 2014 and cash to work with, so it likely wouldn't be too difficult.