Jefferson’s contract, which pays him $15M, expires this season. He can be acquired by the Raps if they send Bargnani and Landry Fields to Salt Lake City. Fine, but does this deal make sense for both teams?

Nov 7, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks shooting guard O.J. Mayo (32) dribbles the ball past Toronto Raptors small forward Landry Fields (2) and center Andrea Bargnani (7) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

This season is Al’s 9^th  in the NBA, and he appears to be a cyborg. His stats are eerily similar from year to year, so I’ll only take note of his Per-Game career numbers: 16.3 Points, 9.0 Rebounds, 1.4 Blocks in 30.5 Minutes. Why he has been traded from Boston to Minnesota to Utah is difficult to fathom, as I get no sense that he’s a headcase. He was suspended by the T’Wolves during the 2010 playoffs for a DWI arrest, but that is the only blot I could find on his record. Perhaps we should consider the glass half-full, and view his tour of various teams as part of a maturation process. Does he want to settle down and help a team in, say, Toronto, build for a championship run?

Al’s presence would immediately provide the scoring balance which has been so sorely lacking since our inside game departed with Ed Davis. Al starts tonight at power forward or centre. The bigger issue is his contract status. Ideally Al’s arrival in Toronto would be highlighted by a splashy press conference in which a multi-year contract extension would be announced, at a hefty raise. However, a proven scorer/rebounder big man like Jefferson can write his own ticket this off-season, and odds are he’s not signing anything until he’s been romanced by a number of teams.

Here’s the question, Raps fans – do we want to rent Al Jefferson for 3 months, make the playoffs, and hope he’ll re-sign once he’s decided the team and the city is where he wants to be? If we take that risk, and get spurned, we’ve lost Bargnani and Fields forever. It’s true their departure wipes $16M off our salary cap for the next two seasons, and perhaps we don’t want them here under any circumstances. But as of this writing they are our most valuable trade assets, and could be swapped for players with non-expiring contracts.

Feb 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson (25) looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Jazz defeated the Wolves 97-93. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

I’m going to hop off the fence – if I’m Bryan Colangelo, I’m making the pitch to Utah. I think this is a sound deal for both teams. Neither of our guys will clog up the paint or poach minutes from Utah’s youthful big men. The Raps get a reliable scorer in the low post like we haven’t had since Chris Bosh’s departure – and perhaps Al will stay.

What do you think, Rapture Nation? Am I dreaming in Technicolour? Please drop a Comment.

Brian Boake is a co-editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.

Paul Millsap, the rugged undersized rebounder of the Jazz, has been on the block for some time. The front court in Salt Lake City is extremely crowded, with talented young players hanging from the rafters. Millsap’s contract expires this season, and, like our previous trade candidate Josh Smith, Paul will command a hefty raise. I’m quite surprised he hasn’t been traded sooner, which causes me to wonder if Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor has been stricken with Blue and White. There’s also rumblings of a difference of opinion in Utah as to whether Millsap should be retained, and Al Jefferson shipped out. If Bryan Colangelo could somehow bring Big Al to Toronto in trade, then sign him to a long-term deal, I swear I’ll write a “BC for Executive of the Year” post; that’s how highly I think of Jefferson.

January 25, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Toronto Raptors center Andrea Bargnani (7) dribbles around Utah Jazz power forward Paul Millsap (24) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s stay with Millsap, who is what Quincy Acy aspires to be when he dreams. The Trade Machine says a Millsap-for-Bargnani works straight up, but gives a huge edge in forecasted wins to the Raps. That’s hardly surprising considering Millsap’s excellent PER of 20.7 compared to AB’s 12.3.  The superficial analysis shows Utah giving up a cheaper yet far more valuable player – why would they do the deal? Remember: in the NBA, players aren’t traded, contracts are. Utah is understandably concerned that Millsap can and will walk away at season’s end for no return. Bargnani, despite being a big man going to a team with plenty already, doesn’t play like a typical seven-footer. Utah has lots of players to clog up the middle of the lane and score in the low post; what they need is a shooter. If Utah learned how to play inside-out, or drive and kick, and Bargnani received lots of open looks as a result, the trade might look brilliant for the Jazz.

The Raps would have the rest of this season to test-drive Millsap, and he them. Paul would provide immediate help for our long-shot playoff drive. If romance blooms, Paul will sign on, or he may test the market. Either way, we’re out from under Bargnani’s contract.

This deal has a better vibe for me than the Josh Smith one, largely because I believe our chances of re-signing Millsap are greater. What do you think, Rapture Nation? Get the dialogue started by dropping a Comment.

Brian Boake is a co-editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.