Raptors, Bobcats, Suns, all involved in trade.

[Kuzzy Powers]

Suns guard Leandro Barbosa is being traded to the Raptors in a one-for-one swap for Hedo Turkoglu.
Barbosa could actually start at SG for the Raptors, where his fantasy value gets an obvious boost. The clincher for Toronto was likely the fact that they're saving $29.1 million long-term, and they also received part of Phoenix's Amare-trade exception

The Suns are on the verge of acquiring Hedo Turkoglu from Toronto, while sending Leandro Barbosa to the Raptors.
Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, who broke the story, notes that "Turkoglu could become the Suns' starting power forward in place of Stoudemire, allowing new acquisition Hakim Warrick to come off the bench." Turk seems like a great fit in Phoenix and his fantasy numbers should rebound after a disappointing stint in Toronto.

The Bobcats are close to sending Boris Diaw and "possibly" Tyson Chandler to the Raptors in a three-way deal that includes the Suns. Charlotte would acquire point guard Jose Calderon and at least one other player.
As expected, we're seeing a cascade of player movement following LeBron and co.'s decision to join the Heat. Calderon would certainly fill the Bobcats' void at PG, and is a far better pure PG than ex-Bobcat Raymond Felton. Of course, if this deal goes through as stated it will leave Charlotte thin inside, relying on Tyrus Thomas and a platoon of mediocre big men.

Essentially the Suns would acquire Hedo, the Raptors would acquire Barbosa, Diaw, and Chandler, and the Bobcats would acquire Jose Calderon. It was originally looking like it was going to be Hedo for Barbosa straight up, and then receiving Diaw in a salary dump, but now Chandler and Jose's names have been thrown into the mix. Its hard not to be satisified with this trade as a Raptors fan if it goes thru.. Chandler is expiring after this year, and Diaw and Barbosa are only locked in for the next 2. And talent wise I think it would make us immediately better.

Jack
DeRozan/Weems
Diaw
Bargnani
Chandler

With Barbosa, Weems/DeRo, Belli, Kleiza, Amir, and Ed Davis off the bench? Could squeek into one of those lower playoff spots with that squad..

In a seperate move.. the Suns also acquired Josh Childress.

The Suns have acquired Josh Childress in a sign-and-trade deal with the Hawks, who get back a second-round pick in 2012. The deal is worth at least $30 million over five years.
Childress averaged 11.1 points in four seasons with Atlanta, shooting 52% from the field and 36% on 3-pointers. He should be a seamless addition to the Suns' attack, and minutes-played might ultimately determine his fantasy worth

[Argath]

Raptors aren't making the playoffs


With that said, I like this trade for all teams involved.

Whatever happened to DJ Augustin in charlotte? I thought he was their 'PG of the future'?

[killgod]

Raptors need to move to Seattle or some shit, so Canadian Sports Media can go back to pretending Basketball doesn't exist.

Much like how America Sports Media pretends hockey doesn't.


It's just better that way.

[Kuzzy Powers]

Raptors need to move to Seattle or some shit, so Canadian Sports Media can go back to pretending Basketball doesn't exist.

Much like how America Sports Media pretends hockey doesn't.


It's just better that way.

No reason for the team to leave when the arena is either sold out or near sold out for every game.

[Kuzzy Powers]

Raptors aren't making the playoffs


With that said, I like this trade for all teams involved.

Whatever happened to DJ Augustin in charlotte? I thought he was their 'PG of the future'?

With the East becoming more top heavy, there is a chance for us to get into the 6-8 spot with that team. No reason they cant compete with the likes of Milwaukee, Charlotte, or Philly.. likely the teams battling for spots after Miami, Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, and Chicago.

[ralaw]

I'm with KG....I don't see that lineup making the playoffs. The only real impact (which for him really isn't much) is Bargnani and the rest outside of are either role players who you don't wanting to be your second option or guys who are too young or inexperienced to have any real impact this year. I know the east is bad, so they may have a chance, but I don't see this team winning more than 30-35 games.

[killgod]

No reason for the team to leave when the arena is either sold out or near sold out for every game.

That's mostly MLSE marketing that gets people in those seats. I mean those crafty fucks get people to watch the shittiest hockey on the planet all winter.

But like, the sport isn't going to ever take over the NHL or CFL for TV ratings here. The team value surged in 07/08, but will now drop with the loss of star power and interest (see the Blue Jays trading Halladay).

Toronto fans won't sit around and watch the Heat rick roll the east for the next decade. They'll quickly realize that a championship is pretty much impossible, regardless of roster moves, for a long while.

I mean, star players DO NOT want to play here. That's the biggest dagger of them all. The Americans want their greenbacks and yankee taxes, they don't want our style of life. Basketball players I find are very akin to the hip hop lifestyle. Big, flashy, dolla dolla bills fallin outta the sky. That's just not Canada and because of that, you'll never keep/get any big name talent.

The Toronto Raptors will NEVER win a championship in the next 100 years. I'd bet my life on it.

[Kuzzy Powers]

All valid points, but the seats will continue to get filled, and theres no doubt its a general consensus around the league that we got some of the best fans in the league, and thats been consistent for years. The ACC is always nuts during a Raptors game. And yes, suits do fill a lot of the seats, but those are the expensive seats most common folk cant really afford anyways.

And no, its not likely the Raptors will ever win a championship, and thats a glum reality.. but you gotta look past it and hope for a competitive and entertaining team.. and like ive said before, hopefully building a team together with young players and maybe they'll be willing to play together if they grow together. Its hard for anyone to want to stay in Toronto when its never really made a significant run.. when it made its mini-run the roster was actually full of pretty good players who were willing to play here. Still some time before we get back to that, but why be so negative in the light of the GM making some good moves for the team? Its better then laying down and dying.

[Kuzzy Powers]

I'm with KG....I don't see that lineup making the playoffs. The only real impact (which for him really isn't much) is Bargnani and the rest outside of are either role players who you don't wanting to be your second option or guys who are too young or inexperienced to have any real impact this year. I know the east is bad, so they may have a chance, but I don't see this team winning more than 30-35 games.

Id be willing to make a cash bet the Raptors win more then 35 games next season. People thought the Bucks had no chance to win 25 games last year.. lol.. the East is open for anyone man. Raptors team (after this trade) stacks up with the lower tier playoff teams in the East without a doubt.

[killgod]

All valid points, but the seats will continue to get filled, and theres no doubt its a general consensus around the league that we got some of the best fans in the league, and thats been consistent for years. The ACC is always nuts during a Raptors game. And yes, suits do fill a lot of the seats, but those are the expensive seats most common folk cant really afford anyways.

And no, its not likely the Raptors will ever win a championship, and thats a glum reality.. but you gotta look past it and hope for a competitive and entertaining team.. and like ive said before, hopefully building a team together with young players and maybe they'll be willing to play together if they grow together. Its hard for anyone to want to stay in Toronto when its never really made a significant run.. when it made its mini-run the roster was actually full of pretty good players who were willing to play here. Still some time before we get back to that, but why be so negative in the light of the GM making some good moves for the team? Its better then laying down and dying.

Well for one thing, a fan is a fan. Crazy fans or boring fans, they don't change the economics. A ticket sold is a ticket sold.

It'll be interesting to see if the team does struggle, how many seats remain filled. If they don't, the rumours will start.

It's bad enough sportsnet picked up Raptors games going forward. 2nd rate broadcasting isn't going to help either! Not that SNET is really all that bad, it's just not TSN.

[Argath]

Someone tell me this is Xixak, I know it is.
I'd be happy to get rid of Calderon, he didn't come through when we needed him going into the playoffs last year. I'd rather Jarret Jack who at least tries.

And Jose is so over paid.

We need big men more than we need 2 point guards.

it is xixak

[dave]

Raptors need to move to Seattle or some shit, so Canadian Sports Media can go back to pretending Basketball doesn't exist.

Much like how America Sports Media pretends hockey doesn't.

It's just better that way.

No reason for the team to leave when the arena is either sold out or near sold out for every game.

What Kuzzy said.
The Raptors consistently sell out the place.
Toronto is a very multicultural city - basketball and soccer are very popular.

How is Toronto any less relevant than 15 or so other teams in the NBA?
They draw better crowds, have a better record, etc...

I love these moves for Toronto. Turkgolu never fit, Barbosa and Diaw high-energy guys who will likely love Toronto. Chandler only here for one year, but God knows the team could use his low post rebounding.

[jags224]

i think turk is going to flourish with the suns. and have a great season.

[Argath]

i think turk is going to flourish with the suns. and have a great season.

I don't. He's slow and only plays well with the ball in his hands. I don't see Nash and Turk meshing at all. Who are they gonna run the pick and roll with? Robin Lopez?