Another setback in Raptor land

[flames_1987]

Mike James told the Toronto Sun today that his first priority now that he is a FA is to re-sign in his hometown with the Rockets.

[Radically Red]

Wasnt this the same guy that was lobbying to be signed by the Raptors as the season was closing out. saying how he just wants a home with a team and to stop moving around..

I understand that houston is his home town. but if that was the case why bother lobbying for a new contract well before the season was over....

[octothorp]

I don't see Houston being that interested. They're still on the hook for that overpriced long-term contract to Alston. And while James is clearly better than Alston, James' scoring totals would be down significantly were he playing in an offense where everything's supposed to go through McGrady and sharing time with Alston. They'll probably take him if the price is right, but there are a lot of teams (including Toronto) who would be in a situation to offer him more.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I don't see Houston being that interested. They're still on the hook for that overpriced long-term contract to Alston. And while James is clearly better than Alston, James' scoring totals would be down significantly were he playing in an offense where everything's supposed to go through McGrady and sharing time with Alston. They'll probably take him if the price is right, but there are a lot of teams (including Toronto) who would be in a situation to offer him more.

Is James the right guy for the Raptors?

Bosh, Villeneuva, MoPete can score.

What the Raps need is someone who can give you the ball. James is a guy who can win you some games, but he can also lose a lot of them singlehandedly with his streaky shooting.

Maybe a ball distributor is the right way to go.

[Radically Red]

I dont know. he seems to have had his best season to date with the Raptors. does that make him good for them... who knows.

I think either way the Raps come out ok. They lose him and save 3.5 mill in cap space to sign someone else. They keep him and he does well. Or they sign and trade him and get someone they want. With the new Gm they have they could very well come out ok.

[moon]

Considering the Raptors have about three or four legitimate NBA players on their roster losing one of the two guys who is a legitimate starter does hurt the Raptors.

The Raptors have Chris Bosh and a bunch of bench guys on their team, while James is not one of the top PG's in the league at least he has some talent which is more than most of the Raptors have.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Is James the right guy for the Raptors?

Bosh, Villeneuva, MoPete can score.

What the Raps need is someone who can give you the ball. James is a guy who can win you some games, but he can also lose a lot of them singlehandedly with his streaky shooting.

Maybe a ball distributor is the right way to go.

I don't disagree with that at all. James was never my favorite player; sometimes he'd take an inbounds pass late in a close game, and you could just tell that he had absolutely no intention of passing. I absolutely hated that. I'd really like a guy who understands the importance of keeping everyone involved. The question is who do you get?
Calderon's not ready for the starting spot full time, but I'd love to see him splitting time with a selfless veteran. Jason Terry and Sam Cassell are UFAs who fit the bill, but I don't see either of them moving, especially after the playoff runs. Beyond that... Speedy Claxton? Bobby Jackson? Not a lot of PGs out there. I think it's gonna take a trade if they don't resign James.