To begin, I've never read of this possibility anywhere but besides on forums. With that said, I'm still hoping and praying something happens here. Reasons why:
1) Calderon has a few connections in Minnesota: Darrick Martin, Babcock, Rubio.
2) Rubio/Calderon have had much success internationally.
3) Whole mentor thing.
From a roster perspective Minnesota has a number of redundancies and a full roster now at 15 not including Montiejunas:
C: Darko, Pekovic, Miller, Tolliver
PF: Love, Randolph
SF: Beasley, Williams, Webster, Hayward
SG: Johnson (who is more SF), Ellington, Lee
PG: Rubio, Ridnour
Toronto has a number of holes in their roster for next year:
C: Bargnani (ugh), Alabi
PF: Amir, ED
SF: Johnson, Kleiza
SG: DeRozan, Barbosa
PG: Bayless, Calderon
Calderon for any combination of these players works:
Ridnour, Webster, Darko, Pekovic, Miller, Tolliver
Personally, I'd stay away from Darko and Miller:
Darko because his contract runs 3 mores seasons whereas all others, minus Ridnour (3 years) expire next year (Tolliver and Webster), 2 seasons (Pekovic and Miller).
Miller because he is out until December (at least) recovering from microfracture surgery (same as Kleiza).
That leaves Calderon for two of: Ridnour, Pekovic, Webster, Tolliver. If the Raps could get the draft rights for Malcolm Lee I would be happy with that as well.
Ridnour is an experienced PG and would be a great back up for Bayless or start if needed.
Pekovic is a young aggressive C and could provide minutes as the 4th big of Amir/Bargnani/ED next season.
Webster provides a SF until Kleiza can return. He has a team option for 2012-13 so he could be an expiring or kept on if needed and he is still only 24.
Tolliver is an undersized C but still manages to rebound the ball and he has great range.
The trade seems to make too much sense for both teams - I hope something can be done.
1) Calderon has a few connections in Minnesota: Darrick Martin, Babcock, Rubio.
2) Rubio/Calderon have had much success internationally.
3) Whole mentor thing.
From a roster perspective Minnesota has a number of redundancies and a full roster now at 15 not including Montiejunas:
C: Darko, Pekovic, Miller, Tolliver
PF: Love, Randolph
SF: Beasley, Williams, Webster, Hayward
SG: Johnson (who is more SF), Ellington, Lee
PG: Rubio, Ridnour
Toronto has a number of holes in their roster for next year:
C: Bargnani (ugh), Alabi
PF: Amir, ED
SF: Johnson, Kleiza
SG: DeRozan, Barbosa
PG: Bayless, Calderon
Calderon for any combination of these players works:
Ridnour, Webster, Darko, Pekovic, Miller, Tolliver
Personally, I'd stay away from Darko and Miller:
Darko because his contract runs 3 mores seasons whereas all others, minus Ridnour (3 years) expire next year (Tolliver and Webster), 2 seasons (Pekovic and Miller).
Miller because he is out until December (at least) recovering from microfracture surgery (same as Kleiza).
That leaves Calderon for two of: Ridnour, Pekovic, Webster, Tolliver. If the Raps could get the draft rights for Malcolm Lee I would be happy with that as well.
Ridnour is an experienced PG and would be a great back up for Bayless or start if needed.
Pekovic is a young aggressive C and could provide minutes as the 4th big of Amir/Bargnani/ED next season.
Webster provides a SF until Kleiza can return. He has a team option for 2012-13 so he could be an expiring or kept on if needed and he is still only 24.
Tolliver is an undersized C but still manages to rebound the ball and he has great range.
The trade seems to make too much sense for both teams - I hope something can be done.
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