BC: "We will be in a unique position with $12 million in cap space before the draft"

[Matt52]

Aren't we assuming that BC would not use the cap space for a UFA (eg. Dragic, Ilyasova) or am I missing something?

I would have to go through a thorough list of NBA salaries to know who is reasonable to go after. But from your list the only one I'd be interested in is Rudy Gay. I highly doubt he is gettable.
I would consider going after Ilyasova, but that wouldn't require a trade. Signing Ersan would also allow us to maintain some level of financial flexibility, which can never be a bad thing for this rebuilding process.

More flexibility if cap space is used before July 1st.

http://raptorsrepublic.com/forums/sh...ground-running

[RaptorsFan4Life]

I understand he is core player/untouchable on the Rockets.

He is unrestricted FA. We can throw money at him and rockets wont even have a chance to match the offer. I suppose they could but he woudn't be obligated to take it and sign with them. We can offer him something the Rockets can't on top of the money. Starting PG position and playing time. He'll have to split time with Lowry if he goes back to the Rockets.

[WJF]

I would like Josh Smith if we knew we could re-sign him right away, he is only under contract for 2012/13 and is 26 years old.
I do think Granger could be had as well, Indiana has a stud in George and he has good knees as well. I would hate to see Granger turn into Brandon Roy. While he could be had, not sure I want him.

[saints91]

I would take Okafor if we got NO's 10th pick from Minnesota, perhaps trade Kleiza or Amir. He might restrict our cap space for a few years but I think he would be great piece as Jonas is learning the game. With two draft picks we may be able to grab Lillard and Lamb. Or perhaps use our two 2nd rounders to move up to grab Barnes, and then draft Lamb if he's available at 10.


Jonas/Okafor/Amir
Bargs/Ed/Amir
Barnes/J.J./Forbes
D.D./Lamb/Forbes
Calderon/?? (Dragic if we have the cap room)/????

That's a pretty sweet line-up

[Papa Burgundy]

From the initial list, on order of preference:

Gay (I believe unlikely, but with the tax line you never know ... Memphis' playoff performance may also play a factor)
Granger (Great duo with George, but maybe they see George as the future SF ... we could send Demar)
Iggy (Most likely, and maybe the best fit under Casey - but not a fantastic 3 point shooter ... a win, but not huge)
... stop.

These are the easiest moves, roster-wise ... meaning, they don't require other big pieces to be swapped, and they don't create roster holes with the transaction.

[Mediumcore]

I have been thinking about this statement for a couple of days now and the types of players who could be a possible target under such thinking.

Lets make an assumption that young players BC speaks of on Raptors roster are 25 or under. That gives us a list of (2012-13 salaries in brackets): Amir Johnson ($6M), DeMar DeRozan ($3.3M), Ed Davis ($2.2M), and James Johnson ($2.8M).

Based on these comments, I am interpreting BC to suggest a big contract ($12M or more) coming back to Toronto is a possibility. With the $12M in cap space BC mentions, that gives the Raptors the opportunity to take on a contract up to $14.2M-$18M in any trading involving 1 young player and the draft pick (or just 1 player as the pick has no monetary value in a trade).

Looking around the league at players with contracts of $12M up to $18M who realistically could be had (i.e. LeBron James is not included nor is Kevin Durant) and the Raptors might actually want (in my opinion, add yours below), we get:

Atlanta: Josh Smith
Chicago: Luol Deng
Detroit: Ben Gordon (a pick would have to be coming with it, imo)
Houston: Kevin Martin
Indiana: Danny Granger
Memphis: Rudy Gay
New Orleans: Emeka Okafor (a pick would have to be coming with it, imo)
Philadelpia: Andre Igoudala, Elton Brand (a pick(s) and/or young player would have to come with Elton Brand, imo)
San Antonio: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobilli
Utah: Al Jefferson
Washington: Nene, Rashard Lewis ('only' $13M guaranteed next year and of course a pick would have to be coming back, imo)



The above shows what big contract players are out there. By no means does the inclusion above mean I think the Raptors can or should get that player - just showing the contracts out there that fits the assumption of BC's comments.

Also, multiple players coming back (saw 2 guys making $6-7M) in a trade and multi-team deals are not considered because that would be pretty much impossible to narrow down.


So any of the listed players seems worth a young player and possibly a pick?

Not to be a downer, but what is the "unique" situation BC is referring to? Does he mean that we're in a unique situation which many other NBA teams are not in? Like nobody else has $$ to spend along with picks and young players to package? I'm pretty sure there are so we're in the same position we're always in where we are in competition for free agents. Nothing unique or new about that.

[c_bcm]

More flexibility if cap space is used before July 1st.

http://raptorsrepublic.com/forums/sh...ground-running

Sure. But in general I don't think it s a good idea to blow all of our cap space this summer. I am more excited about a steady rise in the standings over the years than I am about going from zero to hero. Go with a younger prospect that is maybe a bit cheaper. At the same time go after the older statesmen who are looking for 1 last contract and can bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. This gives us more flexibility moving forward than tying up a big contract into 1 player who is mid career or even on the decline.

[Matt52]

Not to be a downer, but what is the "unique" situation BC is referring to? Does he mean that we're in a unique situation which many other NBA teams are not in? Like nobody else has $$ to spend along with picks and young players to package? I'm pretty sure there are so we're in the same position we're always in where we are in competition for free agents. Nothing unique or new about that.

The uniqueness is the flexibility before July 1st. After July 1st, then what you are saying is correct - a lot of teams will have young pieces and money to spend.

Prior to July 1st, no one can 'spend', just trade. Situations where Toronto can benefit:

1) a luxury tax team looking to shed salary before the tax bill on June 30th,
2) a team stuck in mediocre purgatory looking to rebuild on the fly at the draft,
3) a team looking to shed salary prior to free agency to become a player in free agency,
4) a team looking to shed salary because the owner is looking to cut costs.

The only team in the same situation as Toronto is Sacramento and Utah with their TPE ($10.5M).

[Matt52]

Sure. But in general I don't think it s a good idea to blow all of our cap space this summer. I am more excited about a steady rise in the standings over the years than I am about going from zero to hero. Go with a younger prospect that is maybe a bit cheaper. At the same time go after the older statesmen who are looking for 1 last contract and can bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. This gives us more flexibility moving forward than tying up a big contract into 1 player who is mid career or even on the decline.

And what happens if draft pick or young player never reach potential? What happens if free agents never flock to Toronto? With extensions coming up on Bayless and possibly Gray this year and DeMar and JJ next year, there will be little cap space to use.

Now is the time to acquire assets.

Acquiring one big contract is not necessarily the only way to go about using cap space.

[Puffer]

Acquiring one big contract is not necessarily the only way to go about using cap space.

Absolutely correct.

[Nilanka]

Some really good players there to solve our SF problem, a lot of avenues for BC to explore, a first round pick, a couple of second round picks, possible future draft picks, young tradable assets, and the $12 million in cap space, definitely a lot of flexibility, will be very interesting, and he sounds very confident.

Also, not on the list, but I wonder if BC can make a play for Rondo, he's being paid something like $55 million over 5 years, and I'm sure the Celtics are entertaining offers, just a thought, albeit probably an unrealistic one.

Interesting point about Colangelo's confidence. I hope it's actually based on a specific plan (with specific players) he has in mind, and armed with knowledge of the likelihood of actually obtaining these players, rather than simply false hope.

[Mediumcore]

The uniqueness is the flexibility before July 1st. After July 1st, then what you are saying is correct - a lot of teams will have young pieces and money to spend.

Prior to July 1st, no one can 'spend', just trade. Situations where Toronto can benefit:

1) a luxury tax team looking to shed salary before the tax bill on June 30th,
2) a team stuck in mediocre purgatory looking to rebuild on the fly at the draft,
3) a team looking to shed salary prior to free agency to become a player in free agency,
4) a team looking to shed salary because the owner is looking to cut costs.

The only team in the same situation as Toronto is Sacramento and Utah with their TPE ($10.5M).

Thanks for clarifying. I thought there were many other teams in the same position as Toronto, but seems like we are indeed in a unique situation with only Sacramento and Utah as other viable options.

[Matt52]

Thanks for clarifying. I thought there were many other teams in the same position as Toronto, but seems like we are indeed in a unique situation with only Sacramento and Utah as other viable options.

No problem.

I am hoping BC is not just blowing hot air - which is a strong possibility.

I'm sure Dwane Casey would agree when I scream, "We want some talent!"

[CalgaryRapsFan]

I see 2 different routes BC could go prior to July 1st, and I like a couple players as the destination both routes would take the franchise:

A) Take on contract & ADD AN ADDITIONAL LOTTERY PICK
1. Okafor & lottery pick for Amir and/or JJ
2. Lewis & lottery pick for Amir & JJ & Forbes

B) Trade out of the draft & LAND A STUD
3. Gay for Amir (& perhaps JJ and/or possibly even DeRozan) & Toronto's lottery pick
4. Granger for Amir and/or JJ & Toronto's lottery pick
5. Iggy for Amir and/or JJ & Toronto's lottery pick
6. Deng for Amir and/or JJ & Toronto's lottery pick

I would be totally on board with 1-3.

For 4-6, I don't think the players (Granger, Iggy, Deng) are worth giving up the lottery pick for. However, I would gladly give up Amir & JJ, along with one/both 2nd round picks.


2011-2012 Salaries:
Okafor: 12.5M - 2 yrs left
Lewis: 22.2M - 1 yr left
Gay: 15.0M - 3 yrs left
Granger: 12.0M - 2 yrs left
Iggy: 13.5M - 2 yrs left
Deng: 12.4M - 2 yrs left
Amir: 5.5M - 3 yrs left
JJ: 1.8M - 1 yr left
Forbes: 1.5M - 1 yr left
Cap Space: ~12M

[Matt52]

I see 2 different routes BC could go prior to July 1st, and I like 2 players as the destination both routes would take the franchise:

A) Take on contract & ADD AN ADDITIONAL LOTTERY PICK
1. Okafor & lottery pick for Amir & possibly JJ
2. Lewis & lottery pick for Amir & JJ

B) Trade out of the draft & LAND A STUD
3. Gay for Amir & JJ (or possibly even DeRozan) & Toronto's lottery pick
4. Granger for Amir & JJ & Toronto's lottery pick

I would be totally on board with 1-3, but I don't think Granger is worth giving up the lottery pick for. However, I would gladly give up Amir & JJ for Granger, with perhaps one/both 2nd round picks included.

That is a great, simple way to look at the situation. I would be happy with either one (not necessarily players listed though).

[CalgaryRapsFan]

That is a great, simple way to look at the situation. I would be happy with either one (not necessarily players listed though).

I was just going off the initial list you compiled. Those are really the only 4 players that I liked at first glance (Lewis was only included because of Washington's high draft position, though I doubt they give up the pick with just a year remaining on Lewis' contract).

EDIT: on second thought, Iggy and Deng also interest me, in a way similar to the comment I made about Granger (ie: I'd give up 2nd round picks, but not the lottery pick to get them)

[LBF]

From the initial list, on order of preference:

Gay (I believe unlikely, but with the tax line you never know ... Memphis' playoff performance may also play a factor)
Granger (Great duo with George, but maybe they see George as the future SF ... we could send Demar)
Iggy (Most likely, and maybe the best fit under Casey - but not a fantastic 3 point shooter ... a win, but not huge)
... stop.U

These are the easiest moves, roster-wise ... meaning, they don't require other big pieces to be swapped, and they don't create roster holes with the transaction.

I'd like Iggy. But, I highly doubt he's going anywhere as long as Doug Collins is coach.

[Bendit]

He is unrestricted FA. We can throw money at him and rockets wont even have a chance to match the offer. I suppose they could but he woudn't be obligated to take it and sign with them. We can offer him something the Rockets can't on top of the money. Starting PG position and playing time. He'll have to split time with Lowry if he goes back to the Rockets.

I was referring to Lowry. Dragic is the UFA. As u know, UFas can sign with anyone they choose for whatever....only RFAs must allow their current team to match. If u were referring to Dragic, yes, I dont see him staying w/Houston unless they move Lowry. But apart from the fact they like Lowry a lot it would be v. risky to go this route.

[Bendit]

Even after Dragics run and a swap of first rounders?

Dragic is a UFA...it would be v. risky for them to trade Lowry before the F/a signing date and then hope that Dragic signs with them. You will remember the Boozer incident with the Cavs. They may have his Bird's rights though which could give them the upper hand. Depends on what their plans are cause Lowry is the cheaper option as well as the better player imo.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Another option to consider is all the players that teams would like to dump, who make up to the $7M value of the Barbosa TPE, which essentially disappears July 1st, once the Raptors drop below the salary cap. I wonder what players would be on that list.

Trevor Ariza on New Orleans is one that comes to mind... I wonder if the TPE & both 2nd round picks would be enough for NO's second lottery pick?