Hardwood Paroxysm: Jose Calderon, Indispensable In Toronto

[CalgaryRapsFan]

As much as I love having Calderon as a Raptor, I think it would be in both the team's and his best interest to trade him at the deadline, unless the Raps are looking as though they are securely in the playoffs.

A trade would bring back something for an expiring contract; anything is positive, in terms of asset management. Calderon could have the opportunity to 'chase a ring' with a playoff team. I would hope that BC would still turn around and attempt to sign him next offseason, to be Lowry's backup PG for the next couple years at a much reduced rate (2 years + 2 team option years, for $4-5M per season).

Best of both worlds and not totally unrealistic either.

[slaw]

All of the geniuses on the internet who despise Calderon and endlessly rant about how horrible he is at defense and how he doesn't get "real" assists and how he dribbles out the clock will be the first guys complaining next year that we desperately need a veteran, backup PG for Lowry.

Yeah, Calderon isn't a perfect player but no one this team has played harder than he has since he's been here despite the fact that Colangelo tries to replace him or trade him every year.

[Phat Farmer]

As much as I love Jose and would love for him to be a Raptor for life, I think he coupled with either Ross/Amir/Ed might be the best way to add more talent to the club. I agree with Matt, you have to ask does he even want to stay? If he does, I dont see why he would be opposed to us acquiring more talent, and then re-signing him at a fair deal in the off-season (4 yrs/ $16 M). If we aren't able to get a good piece in return for a trade involving Jose, then let him expire and roll the dice in the off-season.

[Eric Akshinthala]

The truth is most of us want Jose to stay. The truth also maybe that the Raps. brass want him to stay. Of course as a back up. The question is, does Jose want to stay? I'll be very surprised if he does. If he want's to stay, hats off to him. I doubt it though.

[minks77]

Raps fans are spoiled from years of great pg play. If JC ever gets to a team with elite talent, watch out. He'd fit the Lake show so well it's scary.

[ReubenJRD]

he has also been the most over-appreciated. jose gets overvalued when he is a back-up which he excels at and undervalued when he is a starter.

Over-appreciated and over-valued as a back-up? I think he's been under-valued and under-appreciated overall because even as DC and BC were promoting the great depth (so as most of us were), everyone was looking at Kyle Lowry, and the great pre-season and Chicago-energizer in JL3 at the point guard spot. Jose was just another, "he's back to find guys the ball."

I'm not Jose, but from reading posts, and seeing the reactions/comments on him, it really looks like he is labeled as "he's just doing his job." Which he is, but I think he does a great, great job of doing it.

[torch19]

Jose should be kept as the team's back up and insurance point guard until he retires. As good as he is offensively setting people up, he is not good enough to guard the new breed of point guards (these animals I tell you). Therefore, he's as good as a primary back up point guard.

If he can be resigned for the next 4 years for $4 M per season, I will be very happy.

I respect a guy who gives a sh!t about winning and Jose is clearly a winner. I would like to see him run a Laker team or some other contender, but I'm selfish and I like the Raptors, so ....

[The Great One]

Always been a big Jose fan. I think he's the most under appreciated Raps of all time. The guy is a very good player and a true professional.

If they move him this year they better a get a good player in return or at least a 1st round pick. If not, i hope they re-sign him.

[Afro_Daddy]

here we go like i said in a earlier thread he always plays his best at these times which usually starts a "pg controversy".. problem is this time were already in love with lowry even if he's an injury waiting to happen

[Miekenstien]

He has really been the most under-appreciated Raptor of all-time. Always talking about how much trade value he is, how much of a pylon he is defensively. Please, shut up and enjoy the way he creates such great offense for guys around him.

he has also been the most over-appreciated. jose gets overvalued when he is a back-up which he excels at and undervalued when he is a starter.

[enlightenment]

Its true, we would need a back up PG if we traded him, and who better to meet the requirements but Jose?!

Im under the opinion though, that a starting-caliber SF to join our core is much more important. Jose's expiring of 10Mil, Plus his current play could allow Memphis the ability to maintain elite-caliber play w/o Rudy gay (who they are using as a 3rd option) for the rest of the season with Jose under contract, and then slip under the luxury tax line after the playoffs. I think Memphis knows that they need to avoid a salary dump to maintain legitimacy, and with their current payroll they have got to let go of someone eventually!
Ive seen expiring contracts of worse players revolve around similar deals before (When I was younger, I never understood them).

The point is, that I would rather a hole at my back up PG spot than my starting SF spot.
If Jose can't trade for someone to fill either hole, then there shouldn't be any urgency to get rid of him.
We are actually in a good position, with teams knowing we would keep Jose if we could and at this moment only what we want for him would do.

[mcHAPPY]

Does Jose want to stay?

He is a great guy and is a consummate professional but lets be real: Raps have hardly treated him well the last few years (despite a massive contract) and he would be a phenomenal player as a backup on a playoff team or championship calibre team. He has talked about the desire to play in LA and the desire to play in a warmer climate as well.

For Jose to be a Raptor beyond this season, he is going to have to want to be.

Just asking and just saying.

[ReubenJRD]

At the end of the day, Jose deserves to be the first full Raptor. My opinion, is we keep him till he retires. I think everyone talks about having Calderon + an asset get a star wing. I mean, looking realistically, I question myself. It will NOT happen. Rudy Gay for Jose + Bargnani? Do you REALLY think that'll happen? Seems like I would have to turn on the trade override in 2K13 for this to ever happen.

Jose Calderon, one of the best passers in the game. One of the best in terms of taking care of the ball. Loyal. Professional. Sign him for maybe $4-5 million for 3 years? Him backing up Lowry, not to mention if we are able to bring in a young guard, the learning shouldn't be too long.

He has really been the most under-appreciated Raptor of all-time. Always talking about how much trade value he is, how much of a pylon he is defensively. Please, shut up and enjoy the way he creates such great offense for guys around him.

I'm on board for keeping him on the team until he retires. Seriously think of how much he can bring back in a trade... I honestly believe at best, the talent returning would be a solid contributing player, but by no means a huge impact player. Not as much as Jose Calderon.

[alexaussie]

I would keep Jose, im pretty sureinf they sign him next season he'll settle for a smaller "veteran" contract. Then we would have a pretty solid pg tandem for the future, plus, he gets to retire a raptor. Also, when we need to bring up another pg of the future (say, 3-4 years from now) what better way than to learn to have 2 very good point guards teaching you. But as we all know, this'll prolly never happen. Just sayin it would be nice.

This is pretty much the scenario I've been wishing for since we traded for Lowry.
Still holding out hope that Jose can be the first Raps lifer.

[Usagi_yo_Jimbo]

I would keep Jose, im pretty sureinf they sign him next season he'll settle for a smaller "veteran" contract. Then we would have a pretty solid pg tandem for the future, plus, he gets to retire a raptor. Also, when we need to bring up another pg of the future (say, 3-4 years from now) what better way than to learn to have 2 very good point guards teaching you. But as we all know, this'll prolly never happen. Just sayin it would be nice.