The trade with the Lakers sending Jalen Rose over for expiring contracts has picked up again. The trade would give the Raptors three more expiring contracts, Vlade Divac, Devean George, and Slava Medvedenko. Those three contracts combined with Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, and Lamond Murray will give the Raptors close to $20Million in cap relief for the 2006 free agent market. The Raptors might also get an additional $6.8Million if Alvin Williams opts out. So the question becomes, who is Babcock eyeing in the 2006 market? Here's a rundown of the top free agents. <u>Centers</u> Ben Wallace Nene Lorenzen Wright Michael Olowokandi Joel Przybilla Yao Ming Nenad Kristic Chris Wilcox <u>Power Forwards</u> Al Harrington Drew Gooden Keith Van Horn Amare Stoudemire <u>Point Guards</u> Jason Terry <u>Shooting Guards</u> Fred Jones <u>Small Forwards</u> Shane Battier James Posey Bonzi Wells Peja Stoyakovic Caron Butler Mike Dunleavy Tayshaun Prince
Ugh I wanted a SG but Fred Jones is the only one that you have listed. All of those players seem like starters in this league and we don't really have room for more starters that aren't SG's. BTW I thought Andre Miller signed for 6 years two years ago? Does he have a player/team option after this year? And I'm pretty sure Tinsley signed a 6 year contract before last season. We don't really need to spend big money on PG with Alston and Calderon on board, and Ukic coming over soon. If we're looking to get anyone, it's going to be a Center, but I'm looking forward to seeing CV and Bosh start on our front court in the future. In the 2006 draft we should look to draft a SG (as we were suppose to this year as well), but you never know with Babs. That would leave us with a core of Bosh, Villanueva, Graham, Hoffa, Calderon, Ukic and the pick(s) from 2006. Maybe the Nuggets can take Alston from us and give Andre Miller to us in a sign and trade on a 2 year contract
You're right about Miller and Tinsley, I'll update the list. Fred Jones is the only listed SG, but some of the SFs are more than capable of playing the two. Peja, Butler, Bonzi, Battier, and Dunleavy also qualify there.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">You're right about Miller and Tinsley, I'll update the list. Fred Jones is the only listed SG, but some of the SFs are more than capable of playing the two. Peja, Butler, Bonzi, Battier, and Dunleavy also qualify there.</div> Too bad I don't really want any of them. Battier would be nice, but didn't he sign a 6 year deal 2 years ago? Dunleavy would also be nice, but I don't want to spend mega bucks on him like he'll likely want after this year. Rodney Carney, Mardy Collins > Dunleavy. I'm in the middle wit Peja. How much would he be willing to take at that point of his career? I also doubt the Kings will be getting a ring this year, so I'm assuming he'll want to get big money and goto team within reach of a championship, like Denver.
Babs would probably have interest in Pryzbilla for the right price, same goes for Wright actually. Out of the Centers i can see the Raps going after Nenad the hardest maybe taking an outside shot at Yao. Overall not to impressed by that list..i think the Raps will improve slowly through FA with smaller signings to improve the depth of the team surrounding the young pups.
I wouldn't play Peja at the 2. He's bad enough defensively at the 3, and his ball handling as a SF leaves a lot to be desired, not to talk of him as a SG. Battier is a guy I like, I wouldn't mind signing him to play the 2, though he's more of a SF, but the thing is that he can guard 2's very well, and he's capable at either position offensively. Bonzi, no thanks, and Dunleavy, no thanks, no defense, just doesn't seem to be a player that can get to that next level.
For the centre, I see the Raptors going for Lorenzen and Joel. I think that Pryzbilla is a little underrated but his stats for this past season aren't that bad. Statistically, he did better than Wright. Battier would be a great pickup - he can hit the 3, score inside, and plays great defense even against some guards.
First i hope that in 2006 it's will not be Babcock's eyes! Now, i think we should go for a veteran Center, but also try to land a star SG like every team in the league. But first we have to sign Center, only with a veteran Center we can make the playoff again, since Davis we have all the time the problem with this position...
I thought we were going saving money to try to pick up a FA in '07 and go after Magloire or somebody like that? Quick question, when is Bosh due for a max (or near max) extension?
Joel Przybilla would be a nice addition - underrated, a monster down low. This is rare for white men, just kidding. I'd love to have Shane Battier play for Toronto - not the flashiest player, but he's got that leadership the Raps might need and is very well respected around the league.
