Credit Where Credit is Due

Shawn Marion appears ready to negotiate

 After yesterday’s Doug Smith rip job, I feel obligated to point out that today’s column is actually quite a good read.  It usually is, by the way, and although I was a bit fired up yesterday over what I perceived to be a lack of appreciation for this great game, I still read Smith’s column daily, and more often than not I enjoy it.  Today’s is particularly good for an offseason effort, as he touches on a few subjects that are going to become a big deal starting tomorrow, when Free Agent negotiations begin.

First and foremost amongst those is Shawn Marion.  What are we going to do with this guy?  As KC discussed earlier, Colangelo and Co. would love to bring Marion back at the right price for a few years, or (as Smith suggests) a one year deal, which would afford Marion the opportunity to put up solid numbers this year and then look for that last big payday next summer when it seems about half of the teams in the league will be flush with cap space.

Smith also mentions that about four or five teams have already called to discuss a sign and trade for Marion.  He says that, while it’s all speculation at this point, Dallas and New Orleans have been names coming up.  He also suggests BC will make inquiries to Orlando, Houston, Utah, Sacramento, Chicago, and Portland, although he mentions that everyone’s favorite target in a Portland deal, Travis Outlaw, is essentially off the table.  It’s difficult to speculate on these deals without knowing who would be coming back, but at least it’s nice to know that there are indeed multiple teams out there looking for Marion’s services.  The more teams that want him, the better value we can get in return if we don’t end up inking him to a deal.

The Marion situation is certainly the thing Raptors fans should keep the closest eye on heading into next month.  We don’t have any 3s signed to contracts at this point, so what happens with Marion will have a huge impact on the opening day makeup of this squad.

Some other points of interest from today’s Doug Smith column:

• The qualifying offer made to Pops yesterday is basically entirely non-guaranteed, and as such, no one in the organization expects him to sign.
• A qualifying offer to Joey Graham would have to be at least $3.5 million guaranteed (do not ask me to explain these intricacies in the salary cap system) and, as anyone that has seen Joey play can tell you, he is not a $3.5 million player.  If they extend that offer, he will sign it.  So, of course, they will not be extending that offer.  Joey is as good as gone.
• The Raps are now affiliated with the Erie Bayhawks of the NBDL.  Sweet.  The Bayhawk is such a proud and noble…bird?  It’s a bird, yes?  We’re gonna go with bird.
• DeRozan, Jawai, Ukic, Douby, and O Bryant are all expected to play for the Raptors Summer League squad.  Marcus Banks, however, has balked at the suggestion that he join the club as well.  Why?  Because he’s Marcus Fucking Banks, that’s why.  When you see action in 22 whole games, and toss in a whopping 2.5 points per on 33% shooting, you don’t need no Summer League.  Let me send a very clear message to Marcus Banks.  You, sir, are not particularly talented when it comes to playing basketball at the NBA level.  You have never seen anything resembling legitimate minutes on a decent team.  You should be doing literally EVERYTHING that your employer requests of you, or you will find yourself jobless.  If BC wants you to play in the Summer League, you play in the Summer League.  If BC wants you to play in the Toronto 3 on 3 Hoop It Up event on a team with Cabbie and Gerry Dee, you’d better book that plane ticket and find out where Cabbie likes to spot up from.  If BC wants you to pleasure him while he watches highlight tapes of Jose Calderon and Roko Ukic, you’d better find a way to provide that pleasure while taking notes on all the things those two gentlemen do much, much better than you do. You have earned nothing thus far in your career besides one overinflated contract.  You will not earn another unless you start doing what you are told.
• Smith also mentions that Hump’s name will be out there in trade talks.

So, Doug Smith and I are back on good terms (as if he gives a flying rats ass what I think), and if he continues to pack the columns with actual information like this we will remain so for some time.