Raptors trade...

[Cheese]

The Toronto Raptors traded Eric Williams and Matt Bonner to the San Antonio Spurs for Rasho Nesterovic on Wednesday, Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo told ESPN.com.

Trade

Born: May 30, 1976
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Height: 7-0
Weight: 270 lbs.
Pronounced: RAH-shoh Neh-STAIR-oh-vitch

[O_M_A]

Interesting move. Nesterovic is the best player in the deal and feels a need for the Raptors. Bonner was a terrible depender and he was a shooter that couldn't hit any shots this year. Williams was being paid 4.5 million to sit on the bench. That being said, Nesterovic's contract isn't the greatest in the world; but he fills a need.

I wonder what this means for the draft now? Is this the pre-cursor to another move? Does this clear the way for him to take Morrison now having semi-addressed the Center Issue? Does he still go for one of the PF's in Bargnani or Aldridge?

Should be interesting.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by O_M_A

Interesting move. Nesterovic is the best player in the deal and feels a need for the Raptors. Bonner was a terrible depender and he was a shooter that couldn't hit any shots this year. Williams was being paid 4.5 million to sit on the bench. That being said, Nesterovic's contract isn't the greatest in the world; but he fills a need.

I wonder what this means for the draft now? Is this the pre-cursor to another move? Does this clear the way for him to take Morrison now having semi-addressed the Center Issue? Does he still go for one of the PF's in Bargnani or Aldridge?

Should be interesting.

What's interesting is the supposed offer on the table from the Bobcats.

To Toronto: 3rd Overall Pick + Brevin Knight
To Charlotte: 1st Overall Pick + Alvin Williams

I was watching some highlights of Bargnani today, and he really isn't that impressive to be honest. I'd think Aldridge is the one that really could put Toronto on the map into the playoffs. If the above trade went down, and if the rumors are true, Charlotte would pick up Morrison 1st, Chicago would pick Thomas 2nd (who supposedly they promised they'd pick), and Toronto would still get a pick of Aldridge or Bargnani.

So next years lineup would be as such:
C: Nesterovic
PF: Bargnani or Aldridge
F: Bosh
SG: Peterson/Villaneuva/Graham
PG: Knight

...looks like a pretty solid team to me for building around.

[flames_1987]

1st thing that may jump out to people is Nesterovich's contract size it is rather large, but included in this trade was cash consideration and accoridng to Collaneglo it won't effect the Raps cap situation at all. So the Spurs have picked up a ton of it.

fleury, I like your starting lineup but I don't see how you expect Chris Bosh to be playing the 3 position?!?

[Mike__]

^^ Take it...draft Gay.

also you forgot Garbajosa, just signed.

C: Nesterovic, Whaley, Sow
PF: Garbajosa, Bosh, Humphries
F: Graham, Villanueva
SG: Peterson , James
PG: Knight, Calderon, Barret

Not to high on Bargnani, Morrison or Aldridge. If your gonna pick someone, pick the player with the best potential. Gay is that player.

[Cheese]

I think Whaley was released today...he was one of the two picked up in the last deal.

[flames_1987]

Mike I disagree completley. No doubt Gay has the most potential but why pick him on that. Ryan Leaf is another word for potential. The Raptors do not need potential right now, they need someone they know is gonna do something for them and step right in there

[CaramonLS]

I really think the Raptors are dead set on Bargnani, and I think unless they can get a garentee from Chi/Char not to draft him, they wont make the trade.

I think his stock is rising, and I'm not sure he will fall past #2.

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

No doubt Gay has the most potential but why pick him on that. Ryan Leaf is another word for potential. The Raptors do not need potential right now, they need someone they know is gonna do something for them and step right in there

Are you kidding me?!?!?! Rudy Gay is the most NBA-ready player in the draft this year!! His stock took a hit because scouts were questioning his drive and lack of focus. If they want immediate help, it's gonna be Rudy Gay.

[red '00]

I really like the moves this guy is making for Toronto. He's getting rid of dead weight and players that don't have any interest in playing for Toronto and bringing in solid players in return. I can see them having a good year if this keeps up.

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I really think the Raptors are dead set on Bargnani, and I think unless they can get a garentee from Chi/Char not to draft him, they wont make the trade.

I think his stock is rising, and I'm not sure he will fall past #2.

Bargnani is absolutely who they're looking at; should they not trade the pick. You also have to remember that they're not expecting him to come in, guns blazing, like how Amare did. The kid is gonna be a project and will get touches. I don't know what the fixation is with people wanting Adam Morrison? He's the worst defensive player in the lottery! There's no way Sam Mitchell would stand for that.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by StrayBullet

Bargnani is absolutely who they're looking at; should they not trade the pick. You also have to remember that they're not expecting him to come in, guns blazing, like how Amare did. The kid is gonna be a project and will get touches. I don't know what the fixation is with people wanting Adam Morrison? He's the worst defensive player in the lottery! There's no way Sam Mitchell would stand for that.

Definately will need some time to develop, but apparently he is an impact player in Europe even at this really young age.

He definately wont see as much bench time as say Darko, I think he can contribute and probably will see 20 mpg at least.

[StrayBullet]

Darko is in a good situation right now. He's in Orlando and there is no pressure for him to be the man or even one day be the man. They've already got Grant Hill and their stud is Dwight Howard. He'll get plenty of PT under Brian Hill. Hill likes big, young kids. He'll give them the ball and design plays for them. Mark Bryant is also working with Darko on his defence.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by StrayBullet

Darko is in a good situation right now. He's in Orlando and there is no pressure for him to be the man or even one day be the man. They've already got Grant Hill and their stud is Dwight Howard. He'll get plenty of PT under Brian Hill. Hill likes big, young kids. He'll give them the ball and design plays for them. Mark Bryant is also working with Darko on his defence.

Oh I know, he landed in possibly the worst situation imaginable for him when he was drafted. Should be able to amount to something now, he does have the scoring touch, but needs to work on his defense.

I'd like to see how he turns out in the long run.

[StrayBullet]

I still think Bryan Colangelo is trying to pry away Nene from Denver. If he can do that.... then the centre issues will truly be answered.

[Mike__]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Mike I disagree completley. No doubt Gay has the most potential but why pick him on that. Ryan Leaf is another word for potential. The Raptors do not need potential right now, they need someone they know is gonna do something for them and step right in there

I'll take a guy who may possibly become a superstar in a few years over a guy that will step in right away and probably not be relied on anyways. especially on a bigman deprived Raptors team. Gay has only 2 years of college under his belt and seems to be doing nothin but improving. Gay is not a long term/Long shot project. He has the abilities to play in the NBA right now and also the potential to be a star.

Also why do the Raptors need someone who can step in right away? Aren't they in rebuilding mode? I sure hope your not talking Bargnani because honestly, I don't see what the hype is all about. He is Good but definitely not the clear #1 in this draft.

Remember CV last year? People questioned his work ethic, drive etc. but has done nothing but impress.

[Mike__]

also I don't know if this has been brought up, all though a bit off-topic. There was a report that Chris Bosh was close to signing a 6 year deal.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by fleury

What's interesting is the supposed offer on the table from the Bobcats.

To Toronto: 3rd Overall Pick + Brevin Knight
To Charlotte: 1st Overall Pick + Alvin Williams

I was watching some highlights of Bargnani today, and he really isn't that impressive to be honest. I'd think Aldridge is the one that really could put Toronto on the map into the playoffs. If the above trade went down, and if the rumors are true, Charlotte would pick up Morrison 1st, Chicago would pick Thomas 2nd (who supposedly they promised they'd pick), and Toronto would still get a pick of Aldridge or Bargnani.

So next years lineup would be as such:
C: Nesterovic
PF: Bargnani or Aldridge
F: Bosh
SG: Peterson/Villaneuva/Graham
PG: Knight

...looks like a pretty solid team to me for building around.

Okay, but if Chicago is set on Thomas and Toronto wants Bargnani or Aldridge, why would Charlotte trade up and give up a great young PG? It seems to me that they can stay where they are and have a 95% chance of picking up Morrison.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

1st thing that may jump out to people is Nesterovich's contract size it is rather large, but included in this trade was cash consideration and accoridng to Collaneglo it won't effect the Raps cap situation at all. So the Spurs have picked up a ton of it.

fleury, I like your starting lineup but I don't see how you expect Chris Bosh to be playing the 3 position?!?

to be honest, I'm not to familiar with Basketball...just from a pool perspective. I put him at forward because if Aldridge would be taken, he'd definitely be playing for boards, so he'd be PF, and Nesterovic would be C because they have nobody else. That leave the only position for Bosh at F. I could be wrong here, but I'd like to see Bosh do a little more offense and leave the D to the specialists.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by fleury

to be honest, I'm not to familiar with Basketball...just from a pool perspective. I put him at forward because if Aldridge would be taken, he'd definitely be playing for boards, so he'd be PF, and Nesterovic would be C because they have nobody else. That leave the only position for Bosh at F. I could be wrong here, but I'd like to see Bosh do a little more offense and leave the D to the specialists.

Bosh is playing at the PF position, Nesterovic is playing at the C position and Villenuava is playing at the SF position and MoPete plays as starting SG, that right now is how it stands - PG is still wide open right now, but I highly doubt it is going to be James again.

I don't think anyone who we take is going to be starting right off the bat, but lets pretend it is going to be Bargnani. He'll likely share time with Nesterovic when he is on the bench and get say around 20-25 mins a game. That other dude we just signed Garbo...or whomever is likely going to get some backup minutes playing behind CV/CB as well.

There will be quality minutes to go around, and right now if all goes as planned we will be very deep in the front court.