Colangelo is optimistic that he can keep Calderon in Raptor red next year despite the fact that the cost may be prohibitive, as Calderon likely will be in a position next season to ask for starting point-guard money. The Raptors will pay Ford $8 million next season and if Calderon has another good year in Toronto, he could be looking for close to $5 million per year.</p> Colangelo admitted yesterday that more teams around the NBA inquired about acquiring Calderon more than any other player on the Toronto roster during this past off-season, meaning that it will be particularly difficult to keep him. But Colangelo believes he can.</p> "The process will play itself out (and) the market will determine what his value is," Colangelo said. "(But) if he really wants to be here, we can negotiate a deal and just get it done."</p> torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/10/03/4545741-sun.html</p> </p> I wonder what the offers for Jose where like?</p> I don't think $13-14 million is too much to spend on the position as long as the results continue to be there. I've always wondered about Jose though. I don't think I could turn down a chance to be the starter on a team and I don't understand how he says he doesn't care. Well, I understand that he says that now because what's the point of starting a controversy but will he be able to say that next summer?</p> </p>
I think Calderon would like to stay in Toronto. I want him to stay in Toronto. He is very humble, and he loves it here. I can't see him wearing another teams colours.</p>
We're getting max-money point guard production out of two good guys, so spending $14M on the position per season, as you've suggested, is a bargain.</p>
It's super as long as both are happy. If things get cranky then suddendly it ain't such a bargain.</p>
There are teams that spend that much money on a single player and don't get the kind of production that we do (eg: Mike Bibby). And both players are still quite young, so its an investment that isn't likely to blow up in our faces. At one point I thought the Raptors would be smart to capitalize on Calderon's value and try to shore up some other needs, but honestly, I think teams are just lowballing us. They know he's an upcoming free agent, that he plays a position where we already have a starter, and are counting on us to be hesitant to pay that much money. I'd much rather keep the two and tie up a bit of our payroll as opposed to accepting a mediocre deal and seeing Jose become a star somewhere else. The only thing I'm worried about is how Calderon would feel about signing a long-term deal as a backup. On one hand, he's in a comfortable scenario and we're winning. But you got to believe that his competitive instincts might factor in if he thinks he's better than TJ.</p> </p>
The thing is, I think he knows he is better then TJ, but he has respect for him. In my mind, Calderon can start, and he should. Ford would be the quick energy off the bench giving us a lot of minutes and making big plays. However, then we all know TJ will get angry fast, then ask for a trade most likely, which we don't want. I just want both guys happy and playing well.</p> I think Garbo will talk Jose in to staying with the club. The Euro flavour and winning is something Calderon loves, so he should stay.</p>
