So how are the Raptors going to handle the Mike James situation? He's been playing amazing so far. Babcock basically has two options in front of him. Trade him before the deadline or attempt to resign him after this year. I really can't decide, both have their positives. James' value is at its highest right now, and we could definitely get some picks or young players from a team who needs a push before the playoffs. On the other hand, he's singlehandedly kept us in games and Bosh has expressed his desire to play with him after this season. I think he could warrant a 4-year deal in the offseason. My only fear is that Babcock will play it like the Donyell situation. What do y'all think?
I think the best thing to do is, ask him if he wants to continue being a Raptor. If he does then try to sign him for 3 or 4 more years, and tell him that he won't be traded unless he wants to. If he does not want to remain a Raptor, ask him if would not mind being traded to another team. Then trade him at the deadline to a team needing a pointguard of high quality for a playoff push. If he would like to stay it would be really useful having him around for the Raps, because he has been playing well so far. However if he doesn't want to remain a Raptor and would like to be traded, then we might make him happy and get something as well. So I think it depends on what Mike James wants to do.
I'm not so sure if we should sign him to anything more than a two-year contract. James is the type of player who depends on his quickness to get to the basket and score, but when a guy's 34 or 35, that quickness is gone and he's basically a set shooter or a ball-distributing point guard. James isn't like to be the latter so we'll be paying some big money for a 35-year old shooter who won't be as good defensively, either.
I would most likely try to trade him, while his trade value is at it's highest. As of now, we could probably get a good pick and a decent young gun or at least 1 of the two, which is great for our future. We are building for the future, and remember, Mike James isn't getting any younger.
We most likely not trade him. Last year we weren't in the playoff hunt and we didn't trade Donyell Marshall for whatever dumb reason. We probably won't trade Mike because he is more important to the Raps than Marshall was, plus we are in the hunt this year for the final playoff spot. It would probably piss Bosh off if we traded him too.
Yea, another complication is that Bosh is apparently trying to convince the management to stick with him. They might try to sign him to appease Bosh, like Grunwald did with Carter. I heard that Mike's agent has said that the Raps will get an equal oppurtunity to sign him, so if they're serious about keeping him I doubt he would bail. It's all a matter of whether or not Babcock has the balls to bite the bullet and tank this season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">So how are the Raptors going to handle the Mike James situation? He's been playing amazing so far. Babcock basically has two options in front of him. Trade him before the deadline or attempt to resign him after this year. I really can't decide, both have their positives. James' value is at its highest right now, and we could definitely get some picks or young players from a team who needs a push before the playoffs. On the other hand, he's singlehandedly kept us in games and Bosh has expressed his desire to play with him after this season. I think he could warrant a 4-year deal in the offseason. My only fear is that Babcock will play it like the Donyell situation. What do y'all think?</div> here's something to ponder.... when james sits out the entire game, raps are 2-0 with an average margin of victory is 19.5(!!!!).... I'm not trying to bash James cuz I think he's playing great so far, but maybe this is a sign of his actual worth to our ball club.... and it's another reason why trading him before the deadline would be a good idea
Well if I knew Jalen would score 31 points every time Mike James sat out, I would have Mike James always sit out. However Jalen got hot in the second quarter with 18!
if possible i would try to package mike james with alvin williams, dont know how much time alvin has left on his contract i think he has a player option for 2006 at approx $6 million, in other words is there a team out there that will be desperate enough for mike james that they would take an injured player who will most likely be sitting on the bench for another year and a half at close to $10 million.
