Good read courtesy of blogger Pardeep Toor from "The 12th Man". Jose certainly has stepped it up since returning to the line-up as back-up, but this is a role that I don't foresee sitting well with him beyond this season heading into next.
So, hence the dilemma. I know on the main page of the blog here we have a poll which asks what fans would like to see happen come deadline time and most right now don't want to do anything. So, should BC sit with Jose as the back-up and deal with the issue this summer or should he shop him before the trade deadline?
As the article points out, you surround him with the right players where his defensive lapses aren't noticed as much, and he becomes an extremely valuable asset to any team in the league right now. So are we stupid for even shopping him right now if that is indeed the case?
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So, hence the dilemma. I know on the main page of the blog here we have a poll which asks what fans would like to see happen come deadline time and most right now don't want to do anything. So, should BC sit with Jose as the back-up and deal with the issue this summer or should he shop him before the trade deadline?
As the article points out, you surround him with the right players where his defensive lapses aren't noticed as much, and he becomes an extremely valuable asset to any team in the league right now. So are we stupid for even shopping him right now if that is indeed the case?
I think he's a starting point guard in the league. With the right players around him, his defensive lapses can be mitigated and he provides enough offensive value to overlook his slow feet. Only problem: nobody wants to take on salary right now.
I'm not sure what Colangelo's plan is for the trade deadline but I do hope he has one because the Raptors, unless they defy playoff folklore and explode for 115-120 points/game, are not ready to win a playoff series.
Calderon's departure would have little impact on the court this year. If anything, it frees up Hedo Turkoglu to take a more active role as the primary ball-handler/playmaker (something he has griped about this year) in specific situations, which could actually improve the team, creating more mismatches and slow herky-jerky pick-and-rolls that defenders are not accustomed to seeing.
Off the court: huge. If the team can exchange Calderon for expiring contracts this year (a move I would be fine with), the Raptors increase their cap space to about $15 million this offseason and much more in the following offseason with Reggie Evans and Marcus Banks (finally) expiring.
After (potentially) re-signing Bosh and accounting for the luxury tax threshold going down, it leaves the team a bit of space to tinker with the roster.
Expiring contracts for Calderon is wishful thinking but I think it's fair value when considering the back-up role that Calderon has been relegated to since his return from injury. Expiring contracts are a non-committal return that won't hinder the team's chances at winning a playoff round this year while relieving them of cap duties in the years ahead. It's ideal, which is exactly why it won't happen.
Biggest problem: who really wants Jose Calderon?
I'm not sure what Colangelo's plan is for the trade deadline but I do hope he has one because the Raptors, unless they defy playoff folklore and explode for 115-120 points/game, are not ready to win a playoff series.
Calderon's departure would have little impact on the court this year. If anything, it frees up Hedo Turkoglu to take a more active role as the primary ball-handler/playmaker (something he has griped about this year) in specific situations, which could actually improve the team, creating more mismatches and slow herky-jerky pick-and-rolls that defenders are not accustomed to seeing.
Off the court: huge. If the team can exchange Calderon for expiring contracts this year (a move I would be fine with), the Raptors increase their cap space to about $15 million this offseason and much more in the following offseason with Reggie Evans and Marcus Banks (finally) expiring.
After (potentially) re-signing Bosh and accounting for the luxury tax threshold going down, it leaves the team a bit of space to tinker with the roster.
Expiring contracts for Calderon is wishful thinking but I think it's fair value when considering the back-up role that Calderon has been relegated to since his return from injury. Expiring contracts are a non-committal return that won't hinder the team's chances at winning a playoff round this year while relieving them of cap duties in the years ahead. It's ideal, which is exactly why it won't happen.
Biggest problem: who really wants Jose Calderon?
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