Jerryd Bayless Unrestricted Free Agent.

[charlz]

I am sad to see Bayless go, I thought he showed a lot of swagger and he wasn't afraid to drive to the net. It wasn't till late in the season that he found his finishing touch, but unfortunately went down with another injury.

+1

Bayless @ 4 million vs Calderon @10 does not make sense.
Along with the fact that Bayless loves the city.

Must be something coming that requires the 4 mill and SENDS calderon otherwise I think they would have amnestied Calderon.

[mcsemcp73]

I'm so happy that bum is gone. Now I don't have to worry about him putting up them stupid circus shot.

[DaveKim]

I can only hope something comes out of letting bayless go. He was one of my favourite players in high school and college and in one of my favourite basketball movies gunning for that number 1 spot.

I hate to see bayless go but maybe he can thrive elsewhere. He was an enthusiastic player who loved playing for this city. I think he's the only one on the Raps roaster who actually loves this city and has professed their desire to be in Toronto and with the Raptors publicly and actually mean it.

[jbml]

By withdrawing the $4.2 million qualifying offer they have out to guard Jerryd Bayless, the team has more than enough money to fulfil the commitments it’s already made this summer, has a bit more financial wiggle room and could bring back the backup guard, who has a burning desire to remain in Toronto

It does mean the Raptors can no longer match any offer Bayless gets on the free-agent market but they retain his “Bird rights,” which means he can still be signed by a Toronto team that’s over the salary cap and he can also be put in any sign-and-trade transaction that comes up.

While it is still possible Bayless could come back, other teams are now likely to be interested knowing they don’t have to tie up any free-agent money waiting for the Raptors to decide whether to match the offer.

And in an increasingly crowded backcourt, even Bayless’s love for the city of Toronto might not carry over to his love for a severely limited role

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basket...ted-free-agent

[ceez]

Calderon is a bigger trade chip come deadline time

[Nilanka]

I'm still surprised how a player as crappy as Bayless can have this many fans. Nobody batted an eyelash when we lost Jarrett Jack (who for all intents and purposes, was better than Bayless in every facet of the game).

I realize how nice it feels to hear American players speak fondly of Toronto, but it should play no part in any roster decisions. Bayless' opinion of Toronto is just as meaningless as his opinion of Cairo.

[Puffer]

...Bayless' opinion of Toronto is just as meaningless as his opinion of Cairo.

Truth.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

I'm still surprised how a player as crappy as Bayless can have this many fans. Nobody batted an eyelash when we lost Jarrett Jack (who for all intents and purposes, was better than Bayless in every facet of the game).

I realize how nice it feels to hear American players speak fondly of Toronto, but it should play no part in any roster decisions. Bayless' opinion of Toronto is just as meaningless as his opinion of Cairo.

The part that gets me is how many people prefer Bayless over Calderon as the backup PG because of his love for Toronto, yet Calderon maintains an offseason home in Toronto and also loves the city... how is this even an argument in favor of one player, when it applies to both??

[SuperRaptor]

The part that gets me is how many people prefer Bayless over Calderon as the backup PG because of his love for Toronto, yet Calderon maintains an offseason home in Toronto and also loves the city... how is this even an argument in favor of one player, when it applies to both??

When it comes to Bayless being a better back up over Calderon it has nothing to do with Bayless loving Toronto for me. It has everything to do with Calderon's salary, it makes more sense to pay a back up 4.5 mill rather than 10.5 million and then use the extra 6 million to add depth to another position.

I just think that:

PG: Lowry/Bayless/Uzoh is all the depth you need

I am sure that Colangelo is not done here, I would be very surprised it Calderon is with the team come the start of the season, he should be traded for: a back up PG + a rotation player and or a pick.

[brothersteve]

Bayless has a $9m cap hold - to retain his bird rights - nothing to do with the Q.O.

Only reason for pulling a Q.O. is you don't want the player accepting it - Bayless isn't a $4m player (yet) and no one seems to be rushing to sign him...... Raps don't want to be stuck with the bill

[jbml]

Thanks for that Steve this Cap stuff can be tough to rap your head around.

With the 6.33 yearly hit from the Field's offer, without a sign and trade does this force us into the rules of teams with cap space

[thead]

Thanks for that Steve this Cap stuff can be tough to rap your head around.

With the 6.33 yearly hit from the Field's offer, without a sign and trade does this force us into the rules of teams with cap space

I consider myself an intelligent person..this cap stuff fries my brain. Even the management groups themselves are forced to bring in "Cap Specialists". Makes me wonder why shit is so complicated.

[draftedraptor]

I consider myself an intelligent person..this cap stuff fries my brain. Even the management groups themselves are forced to bring in "Cap Specialists". Makes me wonder why shit is so complicated.

This makes sure big market teams find some loopholes to come out winner all the time.

[joey_hesketh]

I'm still surprised how a player as crappy as Bayless can have this many fans.

I'm still surprised people don't see ANY value in Bayless and what he has shown capable of doingl; considering how young he still is and the skill set he possesses.

The guy has proven that if given the chance to run a club, he will produce.

Bayless' opinion of Toronto is just as meaningless as his opinion of Cairo.

I actually disagree with this. A little bit.

It SHOULD matter whether or not Players want to actually be a part of your team. Shouldn't it?

[jbml]

I agree Joey, wanting to be here should be a consideration as we have experienced the ill effects of the opposite

[Nilanka]

I'm still surprised people don't see ANY value in Bayless and what he has shown capable of doingl; considering how young he still is and the skill set he possesses.

The guy has proven that if given the chance to run a club, he will produce.



I actually disagree with this. A little bit.

It SHOULD matter whether or not Players want to actually be a part of your team. Shouldn't it?

I suppose you're right. It should matter at some point, but it doesn't trump his abilities on the court. It's much lower on the priority list than his skill as a basketball player.

Bayless "produced" respectable numbers when given heavy minutes, but it was meaningless production (IMO, of course). Very little flow to the offense, poor shot selection, using PNRs as a green light to shoot long twos, driving in traffic out of control, etc. And it certainly didn't make any difference in the W-L column.

I see much more Mike James than Chauncy Billups.

[swingman]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...r-luke-ridnour
Has this been posted yet?
Speculation James Johnson could be traded for Luke Ridnour.
Would have to mean we would drop Calderon as well. Would Luke even be a good fit? Would make for a pretty solid bench, though.

[Nilanka]

Meh, it's Bleacher Report....better known as some grade school kid's homework assignment. Not trust worthy under any circumstances.

[swingman]

I know it's not too trustworthy, but it's an interesting thought in regards to a Bayless replacement.
I'm more interested in the thought of a JJ trade. When I first heard about Landry Fields being signed, it made me think about his position. If DD or Landry takes the 3 spot, would we even keep him? I know Casey likes him, but in terms of this style shift how likely is it he would see big game time?

[Nilanka]

I think it's all but a certainty that JJ is moved at some point this summer.

As for Ridnour, I like his game as a backup PG. He's a scrappy, high energy player (although he needs to work on his shot selection too). If Calderon and Bayless are gone, I like Ridnour's fit here.