<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">CLEVELAND -- Watching the National Basketball Association final lurch to its inevitable result, two conclusions are clear - one with important ramifications for the Toronto Raptors and possibly even former NBA all-star Grant Hill. The first is that the San Antonio Spurs are an excellent team, worthy of the dynasty talk that will come with their fourth title in nine years, a feat awaiting only the formality of their finishing off the overmatched Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth game of the final tonight or (at the outside) the fifth game on Sunday. The second is that the Eastern Conference is so wide open, the Raptors should be thinking of themselves as legitimate candidates to be here a season from now. Doubtless general manager Bryan Colangelo and his crew think so, but even more significant, players who might help them get there are taking notice as well. Hill, for example, has been covering the final as a television analyst for ABC. The Orlando Magic wing player will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and, after losing some of the prime years of his career to injury, is looking for an opportunity that will maximize his chances of earning an NBA title - or at least the chance to compete for one. An uninspiring performance by the Cavaliers and the lack of a surefire next-best candidate in the East has suddenly put the Raptors into that mix. "They're on the radar. Bryan's done a great job there," Hill said before the third game on Tuesday, adding that he would only begin focusing on his playing future after talking more with the Magic after the final is over. He also noted that his wife, recording artist Tamia Hill, is Canadian and said that "at this point in my career, a winning situation is the primary thing." A source close to the former Duke University star also said Hill has mentioned the Raptors as a possibility among a select number of franchises, with the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons under consideration. Certainly, the Raptors' playing style would seem to be a good fit for Hill, and there's no doubt that one of the NBA's most respected citizens would enjoy the team's uniformly drama-free locker room.</div> <div align="center">Source: The Globe and Mail</div> Getting Grant Hill would be fantastic. I got to be honest, I saw his name but assumed he would be looking at contenders and didn't think we had a chance. This is encouraging news, although I'm afraid to get my hopes too high. The whole article is well written. He throws around some other names the Raps might consider and even talks about some trade talks between the Hawks and Raps concerning Jose Calderon (doesn't sound like the Raps took it seriously).
Here's another good part of the same article: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Calderon would have to net a proven asset in return and likely a draft pick, too. One rumoured deal involving Calderon and Joey Graham for Josh Childress, Solomon Jones and the 11th pick in the draft, as floated the other day for example, wouldn't cut it.</div> That sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I'd still rather keep Jose and shop TJ though.
Nice, Hill would be great for the Raptors. He is a seasoned veteran and would fit well. Also getting Childress and the 11th pick would be sick, because we could draft another maybe SF or PF behind Bosh or Hill. However, I agree with al3x that I rather shop TJ then Calderon, because Calderon is more of a pass first PG, and I think fits the Raptors so well.
I really doubt Hill would come to Toronto unless his wife pushes him to sign there. The trade would be pretty good. Yeah giving up Jose is a downer, though we could draft Conley Jr if he drops or make a trade for Duhon after. I see why you guys want to deal TJ though he has a brighter future than Calderon does potential wise that is.
Trading away Calderon means that we'll need to get another back up point guard with the draft pick for sure since Dixon clearly isn't back up material. I like the trade though. I'm a huge Josh Childress fan and he is an extremely underrated yet efficient player because he plays behind Josh Smith and to an extent, Marvin Williams. I'm also high on Solomon Jones' leaping and shotblocking ability, but whether or not he'll be an upgrade over the big men that the Raptors have right now is the question. I'm biased towards these players so I wouldn't mind this trade to happen even if it isn't worth it value-wise. I'm pretty sure that if this trade goes through then Grant Hill wouldn't be a good signing since I'd really want to give Childress a lot of minutes.
<div class="quote_poster">Gotrunks226 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> I see why you guys want to deal TJ though he has a brighter future than Calderon does potential wise that is.</div> I wouldn't disagree that TJ Ford has more potential than Calderon, although after watching this season I have to question whether he's ever going to use it under Sam Mitchell. His B-ball IQ is really shockingly bad for a PG and he uses his quickness to compensate in a lot of areas where he's not very technically sound (dribbling for example). I'm sort of more inclined to believe he'll become one of those guys who gets the "athletic underachiever" tag stuck to him within a few years and he'll plateau at less than what he should be capable of. I think potential wise we always have to recognize that Jose made a lot of adjustments between years one and two, which showed exactly how smart he was. If he makes a similar improvement between this year and next we might as well give TJ Ford a box to put his stuff in.
I seriously doubt this happening. If Hill goes anywhere I would imagine it'd be the Phoenix Suns. If he goes to any team other than a possible contender, i'll be very suprised.
Hill would be perfect for this team. They already have loads of young talent, the one thing they are missing is a leader on and off the court, like the locker room leader. Chris Bosh will fill in for that role once he gets older, but for now I think Hill would be a great addition to the young Raptors. Plus when he is not injured, he is still capable of putting up some decent numbers to help the team win.
<div class="quote_poster">The Walrus Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I seriously doubt this happening. If Hill goes anywhere I would imagine it'd be the Phoenix Suns. If he goes to any team other than a possible contender, I'll be very surprised.</div> The Raptors aren't a possible contender? They are gunna be great in the East next year, Hill will help them solidify that. The Raptors needed a good Defensive SF against NJ, Hill would of done that. The Suns are a great contender, but the Raptors would be a great place for him.
<div class="quote_poster">Ford_11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors aren't a possible contender? They are gunna be great in the East next year, Hill will help them solidify that. The Raptors needed a good Defensive SF against NJ, Hill would of done that. The Suns are a great contender, but the Raptors would be a great place for him.</div> Let's be serious here, we still have lots of work to do despite our potential. Our current roster has yet to make it out of the first round of the playoffs, considering us a finals contender is a bit of a stretch.
<div class="quote_poster">a13x Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Let's be serious here, we still have lots of work to do despite our potential. Our current roster has yet to make it out of the first round of the playoffs, considering us a finals contender is a bit of a stretch.</div> OK, I got a little ahead of myself. I just think that the Raptors would be a good place for Hill, because they are becoming a contender, and now the east is wide open. They will only get better, however so will other teams, but I still think the Raptors are the best place for him.
I would love to see Hill with the raps. We have such a young team, that a leader voice in the locker-room would help us so much--he would help our young players develop. However, I really dont see this happening. Hill probably wants to sign with a contender which will probably be a team in the West. The east might be wide open, but we cannot match up againist teams such as the spurs, suns, etc. Suns have interest in Hill, and Grant has a really good relationship with Nash. However--if he does come to the East--he will most likely sign with the Pistons. By trading Delfino, pistons saved about $3 and Grant has aldready said that he would welcome a return to detroit
<div class="quote_poster">Ford_11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors aren't a possible contender? They are gunna be great in the East next year, Hill will help them solidify that. The Raptors needed a good Defensive SF against NJ, Hill would of done that. The Suns are a great contender, but the Raptors would be a great place for him.</div> I do believe Hill would FIT in well with the Raptors style. But he wouldnt enjoy himself. The only way id would even think it bein a good idea for Hill, is if he was gonna stay for more than one year. Which i doubt. He wants to win now.
Well..we still need a starter SF..n im expecting more changes..because IMO: Martin/Mo/Slokar/Sow are good as gone and I could see a joey or dixon trade
^^ Well once Garbo heals, I'd assume he would resume starting duties. PG: Ford SG: Parker SF: Garbo PF: Bosh C: Rasho
Do you really think Rasho will start again next season? I think Bargnani will be ready to start 10-15 games into the season if he doesn't start right away. As of right now, the depth chart should look like this: PG: Ford/Calderon SG: Parker/Dixon SF: Garbo/Delfino PF: Bosh/Humphries C: Bargnani/Rasho I would also like to see: 1. Sign and trade Mo Peterson 2. Trade Dixon 3. Trade Joey Graham 4. Sign someone with the MLE If all that happens, we will in great shape going into next season.
I don't think Bargnani will be ready yet, and I think that Rasho probably starts strong while Bargnani gives the "spark" off the bench. As well, Rasho gives toughness, rebounding, and shot-blocking, while Bargnani gives us further spacing and overall better scoring. Personally I'd like to do all you suggested, and Trade Rasho, and sign Magloire for 5 mill per year for 4 years.
I don't think Magloire will command too much salary at this point, if we can get him for cheap ... bring him in and throw some spare Matt Bonner style minutes. Being motivated to play in Toronto could really help up his game. At times I found Bargnani's defense to be quite impressive, he has good quickness and uses his length pretty well. The problem is the rebounding and sometimes not beign prepared for the physicality of playing inside. He seems to improve reasonably though, so starting next year is not out of reach, but i'd save him for the bench in a 6th man type capacity.
