The Raps start to move things in the Free Agents market, According to ESPN radio as well as Chicago radio stations Chicago PG Chris Duhon has signed an offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors. The Bulls would have a week (August 15th, which is the deadline for the Amnesty tax for teams to waiving players) to match Toronto's offer to the Restricted free agent Chris Duhon. According to ESPN radio The Bulls wanted to use the Million Dollar Exception on Duhon (exactly $1.672M) but Duhon wants more, and for that, they have to use the Mid-Level Exception (about $5M), which the Bulls want to use on someone else. So to give more than $1.8M, the Raps would have to use their Mid-Level Exception, which means if Duhon indeed signs with the Raps, No way back for Bonner.
Does this mean Calderon's playing time will be cut to nothing? Or does this mean that Alston is on his way out?
Or could Babcock possibly have managed to do a sign-and-trade involving Matt Bonner and Chris Duhon? Either way, if the Bulls don't match, it would be a great acquisition and it makes Rafer Alston that much more expendable. We get a guy that actually knows how to run an offense, get the ball to his teammates and doesn't let his man blow by him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">Does this mean Calderon's playing time will be cut to nothing? Or does this mean that Alston is on his way out?</div> if anything, the Raps can not just enter this season only having 2 PG's...so by signing Duhon, the Raps really made progress...but it sucks Bonner would have to part ways with the Raps - that is, if the deal goes through...and hopefully, it does because the Raps would need to rely on another backup PG.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker14:</div><div class="quote_post">they'll match</div> Don't be so sure, with Tyson and Eddy still not signed... maybe they will let him go... <div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">Does this mean Calderon's playing time will be cut to nothing? Or does this mean that Alston is on his way out?</div> I don't think that Calderon's playing time will be cut to nothing, i know that this is Babcock's intent, that the team will enter the league with 3 PGs in the roster, not like last year, he said that on the TV before the draft.
Why can't the Raptors just use part of the MLE on Duhon and the other part on Bonner? I like this move by the Raptors, even though the Bulls can still match or work a sign & trade as mentioned above. This puts pressure on Alston for the upcoming season, and makes him expendable, especially if Alvin Williams can play again. The Heat might be a team willing to welcome back Alston, and some of the expiring contracts the Raptors have (Alvin Williams & Eric Williams.) Maybe the Raptors could entice them to give up Dorrell Wright or Wayne Simien for a package of these players. With the recent moves, I don't expect either player to get much playing time this year or next season. Adding Dorrell Wright would give the Raptors a future SG, with superstar potential.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Why can't the Raptors just use part of the MLE on Duhon and the other part on Bonner?</div> Because we already used a part of it on Jose Calderon.
I'd start Duhon over Rafer, his defense is very nice, and he's a pass first guy. I'd start Duhon over any of our current PG's. The Bulls will likely match though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">Because we already used a part of it on Jose Calderon.</div> Calderon didn't signed on a minimum contract ? part of the Million Dollar Exception ? and not a part of the Mid-Level Exception... I'm don't really sure in his contract details.
At least its good to see that Babcock is actually active in the free agent market. It looked like he was going to take a vacation after signing Calderon. That said, I'm getting my hopes up in case the Bulls match it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">And Pape Sow, I believe.</div> Pape Sow will likely be signed to a minimum deal, which does not count against the MLE. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd start Duhon over Rafer, his defense is very nice, and he's a pass first guy. I'd start Duhon over any of our current PG's. The Bulls will likely match though.</div> I don't think Bulls will match if it's anything over $2-3 million a year. They only have their MLE to spend and they're waiting for the likes of Michael Finley to be waived under the amnesty rule. Do you think it is a coincident that Babcock gave Duhon an offer today? Today is the 8th, and the Bulls will have exactly 7 days to match the offer, which is the 15th and the last day for teams to use the amnesty rule. This puts the Bulls in a situation where they'll have to choose between keeping Duhon or having a chance to get Michael Finley, and I'd think that Paxson would save the MLE to go after Finley.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Why can't the Raptors just use part of the MLE on Duhon and the other part on Bonner? I like this move by the Raptors, even though the Bulls can still match or work a sign & trade as mentioned above. This puts pressure on Alston for the upcoming season, and makes him expendable, especially if Alvin Williams can play again. The Heat might be a team willing to welcome back Alston, and some of the expiring contracts the Raptors have (Alvin Williams & Eric Williams.) Maybe the Raptors could entice them to give up Dorrell Wright or Wayne Simien for a package of these players. With the recent moves, I don't expect either player to get much playing time this year or next season. Adding Dorrell Wright would give the Raptors a future SG, with superstar potential.</div> if the Raps are able to also add Wright or Simien, that would mean great for the future of the franchise.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MAKEOUTCITY:</div><div class="quote_post">if the Raps are able to also add Wright or Simien, that would mean great for the future of the franchise.</div> na, they don't wan't to give up any young players especially not for Rafer, he definately isn't what Miami needs, we're crazy enough at pg with JWill.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker14:</div><div class="quote_post">na, they don't wan't to give up any young players especially not for Rafer, he definately isn't what Miami needs, we're crazy enough at pg with JWill.</div> And you know this how? Say hello to Pat Riley for me since you seem to work in the front office of the Miami Heat. But seriously, does the Heat have any better options at their backup PG position? Damon Jones could be gone to Cleveland, and you'd be left with Jason Williams and him only at the point.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker14:</div><div class="quote_post">na, they don't wan't to give up any young players especially not for Rafer, he definately isn't what Miami needs, we're crazy enough at pg with JWill.</div> The Heat still don't have a backup PG. They wouldn't give up Wright or Simien, but don't think the entire Heat team is set.
I never said they wouldn't do that, but who will the Heat offer? They really don't have any1 but Toine that you could get some value for. They won't trade Zo because they won't do it to him. No young guys will be traded Miami has already made that clear. The trade exception is gone, who do you wan't Doleac, Leitner? Sure I'll do that but there's really no1 who T Dot would want.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker14:</div><div class="quote_post">na, they don't wan't to give up any young players especially not for Rafer, he definately isn't what Miami needs, we're crazy enough at pg with JWill.</div> In Simien's situation i think the Heat don't really have the space for this talented player, in their PF position they have now starter Antoine Walker, Udonis Haslem and Zo that in most of the game he plays the PF position with Shaq in Center. I don't know why they draft him anyway if Miami's GM wanted PF-Antoine Walker from the begining.
