Raptors Keep Calderon, Add Ukic and Adams
Jose Calderon has reached an agreement to return to the Toronto Raptors next season, at least that is according to his website (http://www.josemanuelcalderon.com/indexEN.html). The Raptors also have a verbal agreement in place to bring over PG Roko Ukic, their 2nd round pick in the 2005 draft.
While neither of these is surprising, there was an intriguing name also included, that of G/F Hassan Adams, the former Arizona standout who played last season in the Italian League after playing one season with the New Jersey Nets, who drafted him with the 54th overall pick in the 2006 draft.
While Adams didn’t produce much in his one year in the NBA he was a pretty consistent scorer in college for the Arizona Wildcats, averaging 14 points and 5.3 rebounds over his four year college career. I also trust our European scouting department and they must have really seen something they like in Adams’ game to bring him over in a crowded battle for playing time at the SG/SF positions.
Now, having said this I don’t mind the Adams signing, but not at the expense of Carlos Delfino, as this would appear to be yet another sign that Delfino will not be returning to Toronto next season. Delfino was one of the best players off the bench last season for Toronto, averaging 9 points in 23.5 minutes. Delfino was a great sharpshooter off the bench, as he shoot 39.7% from the field and 38.2% from behind the arch. He also was one of a handful of players who actually stepped up their game in the playoff series against Orlando and is really someone I think the Raptors are overlooking, as I don’t see Adams being capable enough to take over Delfino’s role. Overall, I’m really not liking Toronto’s depth headed into next season, and unless there are a couple of acquisitions of solid bench players, such as Delfino, I don’t see how next year’s team will be any better than this year’s, even with a healthy Jermaine O’Neal.
The oddest thing to me about surrounding the rumors that Delfino is leaving is the fact that they say he will return to Europe. It’s as if they’re implying that Delfino can’t hold a job in the NBA and, other than money or personal preference, I would see no reason why any NBa team couldn’t use Delfino, as he’s a great shooter who can be one of your first players off the bench.
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11 Responses to “Raptors Keep Calderon, Add Ukic and Adams”
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I believe without any more moves the depth is a strength. Adams may just be to fill out the roster spot left by Baston.
C O’ Neal Bargnani Jawai
PF Bosh Hump
SF Del Fino Moon Graham
SG Parker Kap Adams
PG Calderon Ukic
This is only 13 players. I believe BC will try to add Pietrus but really no money. I also love del fino he is one of my favourite raps. real competitor. There is definately room for him and another rotation player but looking at the top 10 now its pretty strong and we are looking at one more addition. Del Fino can play 3 positions though so I see there being enough PT for him especially with the injuries we have seen in TO the last couple years.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:00 am
I have to disagree with you on the depth in terms of the top NBA teams. Do they have solid depth in terms of overall NBA talent? Yes, but in terms of a playoff caliber team they don’t have much beyond Bosh, O’Neal, and Calderon.
I mean, if Delfino doesn’t return you basically have:
PG: Calderon, Ukic
SG: Parker, Kapono, Adams
SF: Moon, Graham
PF: Bosh, Humphries
C: O’Neal, Bargnani, Humphries
We get virtually no scoring from the SG and SF positions, as Parker is a nice role player, but minus Delfino, our returning players at the SG &SF positions average about 32 points total- that’s terrible.
Our offense will basically revolve around Bosh and O’Neal next season and if injuries should hit either of them it’ll be disastrous because nobody else can score.
I still think BC will go after a SG/SF with the mid-level exception they have left to provide a major upgrade, but as of now I’m very worried about depth heading into next season.
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:45 am
There are rumors that Delfino will go back to Europe not because people don’t think he can play in the NBA, but because he’s previously stated that it would be his preference to return to Europe if things did not work out with the Raptors.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:26 am
If it is playing for the Raptors or returning to Europe, I don’t understand not bringing him back, as if he doesn’t want to play for any other teams then that really gives GM BC the advantage at the negotiation tables. That is of course, unless Delfino is expecting more money in Toronto then he could make in Europe- which might be unreasonable.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:12 am
[…] - Raptors Den […]
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
They do not have any money left - if they use the full mid-level they go way over the tax. That means no Delfino, no Pietrus, no anybody that will cost more than about $1.5m.
And there is no way they blow that money on a SG/SF and leave Roko as the only back-up to Jose. They still don’t know what Roko can really do, and if he disapppoints and then Jose goes down, where are theythen? You talk about depth - a backup point or at worst a combo guard will be the only other significant addition…
And Delfino will probably get a much better offer from Europe than the NBA.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
the raptors don’t have to sign anybody like maggette or artest they can go after a role player to come off the bench and provide hustle minutes. if toronto can sign and trade delfino for a back combo guard i think they will be set for the season. Look at boston they don’t have a very good bench but they have those hustle players liek big baby, powe, posey,house. they just relie on the big three. now toronto has a more balance lineup with bargnani playing the 3 like he did in the playoffs alongside bosh, oneal, jose, and kapono and then we have jawai, hump, moon, parker,urik come off the bench they might make a run this year
July 9th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Does the mid level exception count agaiunst the cap?
July 10th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
The mid-level doesn’t count against the salary cap but does count against the luxury tax.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I calculated the Raps salary and they have now spent approx 66.5 mil on 12 players. This leaves 5.5 under the luxary tax. I still wish they had spent that all on del fino and used a 13 man roster but it is now more likely to see 2-3 lesser players. (including a veteran PG most likely) signed. BC has commonly stated he will not spend over the tax.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Will Solomon. I hope this isnt the answer as #3 PG cuz we need experience there not another Rook. We now have almost 5 mil bucks to spend on one or two more players. Is BC savinbg money for a mid-season trade? where does Solomon fit in?
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