Toronto Raptors 2011/2012 Season - Page 11 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

bluejays · 07-01-2012, 01:56 AM

I don't really know if NY would be the place for him. I mean, Carmelo and Stoudamire - two of the most selfish players in the league whom he would help, would likely think of him as stealing their sunshine. I think Colangelo would be urging him to sign here to bring that lustre back to the franchise to what is was like in the Carter days, where players wanted to come here. Nash could single handedly do that, and despite his selfishness (IMO) in the past for not wanting to play for Canada, I think he does care about the NBA in Toronto, and for that reason I really think he'll sign with the Raptors. Now only if Colangelo could swing a trade for a guy who can create his own shot, the Raps would be in a pretty good situation.

secol · 07-01-2012, 10:27 AM

he and amare worked pretty well together back in PHX....melo on the other hand probably wouldn't work as well. also the knicks are probably going with Lin now that they are able to sign him without using their exceptions

bluejays · 07-01-2012, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secol

he and amare worked pretty well together back in PHX....melo on the other hand probably wouldn't work as well. also the knicks are probably going with Lin now that they are able to sign him without using their exceptions

Agree that him and Stoudemire worked well in Phoenix, but word was Amare didn't like the idea of everyone saying Nash made him better than he actually was, which was partially why he wanted to move on. Nash is still a top 5 PG IMO, and a deal for the guy would be huge. TBQH, I'm surprised that he's rumored to only be going for $12M/year. He's still a franchise player as any, and when guys are getting $20M/year, I think he's right up there. Thank goodness teams aren't doing it though - at least the Raps have a chance.

flames_fan_down_under · 07-01-2012, 02:05 PM

I know nothing about the NBA but I do know Nash going to Toronto would be a great move. The young raptors could certainly use a guy like Nash leading them.

The Big Chill · 07-02-2012, 12:06 PM

This article talks about the guy I was really hoping we would go after, Ersan Ilyasova, and provides a link saying that we may have made contact with him.

http://blogs.thescore.com/raptorblog/2012/07/02/raptors-should-target-ilyasova-have-they-already/

If our off-season saw us pick up Nash and Ilyasova, plus re-sign Bayless, I think we would be in pretty good shape next season. We would probably have to trade Calderon and amnesty Kleiza to make this happen, but that really isn't much of a stretch at all.

PG: Nash, Bayless
SG: DeRozan, Ross
SF: Ilyasova, J. Johnson
PF: Bargnani, Davis, Acy
C: Valanciunas, A. Johnson, Gray

That is a playoff roster right there.

flames_1987 · 07-02-2012, 04:57 PM

In the Eastern Conference, that is without question a playoff roster.

octothorp · 07-03-2012, 01:05 PM

Very interesting move by Toronto: they've agreed with Landry Fields to a $20 million, three year offer sheet. The reason it's interesting is that it essentially means that Fields is off-limits for being included in any Knicks/Suns sign-and-trade for Nash, even if the Knicks match the offer sheet. And if the Nash situation is resolved in principle before July 11, Colangelo can still opt not to actually give Fields the offer sheet.

That said, Fields had a great rookie year and then was relegated to bench role-player once Carmelo arrived in New York. He's got a good shot, and is solid both at rebounding and defense, and runs the floor well. But if he, Ross, and DeRozan are all on the roster, all three are SG/SF tweeners a bit.

flames_1987 · 07-03-2012, 01:36 PM

The Raptors are all in on Steve Nash, that's what this move tells me. The only thing that stands in the way of Nash becoming a Raptor in my mind, is now the Mavericks and if they decide to go after Steve.

howard_the_duck · 07-03-2012, 01:42 PM

Would this move sit well with Nash, though? Basically eliminates an option of his to sign with.

I agree it's a shrewd move but I wonder how Mr. Nash would feel about BC meddling a bit here? That's pure speculation on my part but interesting nonetheless.

Senator Clay Davis · 07-03-2012, 01:47 PM

The Landry Fields signing is brilliant. It essentially takes the Knicks out of the picture, because he was the trade chip in any sign and trade between Phoenix and New York. New York can only offer the mid-level exception of $3 million per, while a sign and trade could have let them give Nash $8 million per.

Steve Nash definitely has a tough choice ahead of him: Gravy train a few superstars for a ring that he won't get much credit for or build a legacy that few NBA players could ever have. This is one of those rare times where I could forgive a guy not choosing his best option to win a ring.

flames_1987 · 07-03-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Would this move sit well with Nash, though? Basically eliminates an option of his to sign with.

I agree it's a shrewd move but I wonder how Mr. Nash would feel about BC meddling a bit here? That's pure speculation on my part but interesting nonetheless.

Very good point. I'd like to think that BC has a pretty good grasp on Nash though with how long they've known each other and after meeting with him. We shall see what happens here, it looks brilliant if he signs with the Raptors or it looks like a less then stellar contract for the Raptors

octothorp · 07-03-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Very good point. I'd like to think that BC has a pretty good grasp on Nash though with how long they've known each other and after meeting with him. We shall see what happens here, it looks brilliant if he signs with the Raptors or it looks like a less then stellar contract for the Raptors

Yeah, I don't think it's unrealistic that the Raptors sat down with Nash and discussed a list of RFAs and UFAs that the Raptors were considering acquiring, and that Fields' name came up in those discussions. If Nash had a favorable impression of Fields, (who potentially fits Nash's game pretty well), this might be a double-whammy move: blocking the Knicks, while acquiring a player that Nash likes.

Senator Clay Davis · 07-03-2012, 01:56 PM

Collangelo is likely aware if he fails to land Nash and the team misses the playoffs again next season he's almost certainly out of a job, so to him it doesn't matter if he leaves the Raps with a few awful contracts. He's trying to save his job first and foremost right now.

flames_1987 · 07-03-2012, 02:02 PM

The Raps had a chance to get Kyle Lowry for the 8th pick and turned it down in their hunt for Nash. I'm fine with that move and I understand the situation BC is in, but this could turn really ugly for the Raptors if they don't get Nash and still don't have a true SF to play the 3 position.

Senator Clay Davis · 07-03-2012, 02:11 PM

For as bad as things would be for the Raptors if they lose out on Nash, they are still going to be in better long term shape than Brooklyn. Any Dwight deal will be contigent on taking Hedo's awful contract. With Dwight, Hedo, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams the Nets are already in the luxury tax.

The Big Chill · 07-03-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Would this move sit well with Nash, though? Basically eliminates an option of his to sign with.

I agree it's a shrewd move but I wonder how Mr. Nash would feel about BC meddling a bit here? That's pure speculation on my part but interesting nonetheless.

That was exactly what my first thought was too, but surely BC isn't dumb enough to p*ss off Nash by doing that. I would have to guess that we actually like Fields and would like to see him in a Raps uniform.

octothorp · 07-03-2012, 05:41 PM

So, with D.Williams to Brooklyn, the other parts of the puzzle should start to fall into place. Knicks probably out of the mix with the offer sheets to Fields and, possibly Lin. Dragic looking at Dallas and Phoenix. Houston supposedly making an offer sheet to Fields (four years, $40 million is the rumour). Lowry up in the air if Lin is going to Houston. Looks like Toronto, Dallas, or a relatively unlikely return to Phoenix for Nash. Crazy game of musical chairs for the PGs this offseason.

edit: update on Dragic: Rumour is he turned down five years, $40 million from Houston to see what the marketplace will demand, looking particularly at Dallas.

flames_1987 · 07-03-2012, 07:21 PM

I thought if Williams went to the Mavs, it was a lock that Nash would come to the Raptors. Now I think Dallas becomes the very heavy favorite to land Nash, which just really sucks

flames_1987 · 07-03-2012, 07:22 PM

David Aldridge reporting the Lakers are in the mix for Nash and making a hard push, then tweeted that "Nash in huge demand around the league, with multiple teams trying to get in hourly, per source"

octothorp · 07-03-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames_1987

I thought if Williams went to the Mavs, it was a lock that Nash would come to the Raptors. Now I think Dallas becomes the very heavy favorite to land Nash, which just really sucks

Yeah, I went from pretty optimistic last night, to pessimistic this morning, to very optimistic after the Fields offer sheet and Williams resigning, and now I'm back to pessimistic.