Toronto Raptors Trade Rumors

Hedo, he don't?
"Hedo Turkoglu's wonky ankle and wayward shot were absent from Saturday's practice. Whether he plays Sunday afternoon remains to be seen. It's obvious Turkoglu is favouring a left ankle he sprained in Monday's blowout loss in Houston when he was unable to play the entire second half. The added off-days before Friday's visit by New York helped Turkoglu, but he briefly left the game to have his ankle re-taped. In back-to-back losses to Oklahoma City and Houston, Turkoglu was a combined 4-of-13 from the field. He had a two-game stretch where he didn't attempt a single free throw. Against the Knicks, Turkoglu was a presence, making six trips to the line, hauling down nine rebounds, posting four ..."
Bosh misses shootaround with upset stomach
"Chris Bosh was a surprise absence at the team shootaround due to an upset stomach. There's no word on his status for Friday night's game against the Knicks."
Bargnani, Calderon, Turkoglu miss practice on Wednesday, questionable for Friday
"Neither Turkoglu nor Calderon practised with the team yesterday. Both were in sweats staying on top of their conditioning but unable to participate in the formal part of practice. Andrea Bargnani came down with a flu bug and did not even make it to the ACC. No one knows for sure, but based on the severity of their injuries, Calderon and Bargnani should be back with Turkoglu having an outside shot at playing Friday."
Injured Raptors Bosh, Calderon and Turkoglu listed as questionable for Friday
"Calderon was out in Houston after sustaining a cut to his elbow in Oklahoma City. He was kept out on Monday for fear on an infection as a precautionary reason. More will be known at Wednesday’s practice, but Calderon assured everyone that his injury isn’t serious. Bosh has missed the last six games, didn’t accompany the team on its two-game trip, and should be ready for Friday’s contest. Hedo Turkoglu finally makes a drive to the hole, but fitting of his season in Toronto he lands on the foot on Rockets forward Jared Jeffries and sprains an ankle."
Tough stretch ahead, with or without Bosh
"The Raptors haven't lost many games of late and neither have they lost sight of the NBA landscape. Beating the likes of a New Jersey or a Washington is one thing, but now comes a stretch that sees the Raptors stepping up in class. Whether Chris Bosh plays Wednesday night is a decision that won't be reached until tipoff. Whether Rasho Nesterovic will continue to be an anchor in the paint won't be known until he steps on to the court. What the Raptors know for certain is that the upcoming list of opponents is formidable, an important measuring stick that may ultimately define this season."
Bosh misses practice, questionable for Wednesday
"Chris Bosh didn't practice. He admitted he was still feeling pain in his ankle. He didn't come right out and say Wednesday's game was out of the question but he may as well have. "I'm bored," Bosh said looking every bit the part on Monday. Bosh could still make a quick recovery. He could practice Tuesday and declare himself fit for action on Wednesday when the Raptors host Portland, but that appears unlikely. "I'm not sure; I'm still in a little pain right now," Bosh said. "We're fortunate enough to have a few days in between games and we're being really aggressive with the treatment and we'll see how it is Wednesday." His practice yesterday, in his own words, consisted of "Walk around, ..."
Time to put the kibosh on Bosh beliefs
"As Heat President Pat Riley spoke Thursday about Amare Stoudemire without mentioning Stoudemire by name, as he spoke about attacking "the opportunity of going after who we considered the most talented player that was out there," it was as if there was a revelation. Would Riley have spoken that way about Stoudemire and the pursuit of the Suns forward at the trading deadline if he had any inside knowledge that Chris Bosh was poised to join Dwyane Wade in South Florida next season? For months, with Wade and Bosh represented by the same agent, there was thought that Riley must know something through his conversations with Henry Thomas, must have an inkling about Bosh's free-agent intentions. ..."
It's all quiet on the Raptors' trade front
"Chris Bosh will get on a plane with the rest of the Raptors Thursday afternoon and head to the New York area for a game in New Jersey. The flight will coincide with the NBA's 3 p.m. trade deadline, and if Bosh gets to his hotel and his 13 teammates are the same as the ones he left with, he'll be fine with that. "I'd be happy if we didn't make a trade. I think we're playing well and the different guys we have at each position are doing well, so I don't know if we need one," Bosh said after his sparkling performance in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game."
Enough said
"I've just about had it with my American media counterparts. Almost on a daily basis now, I can find at least one story out there with someone purporting to know for certain that Raptors all-star Chris Bosh is jumping the first train out of here. It's not the idea that he might be leaving the Raptors that is so bothersome. Bosh may in fact be playing in another uniform next season. That's a distinct possibility. He has the right to opt out of the final year of his contract, become a free agent, and flee. It could happen. But what's really annoying is that his departure is a "done deal" -- a foregone conclusion. My point is, it isn't. Bosh said so more than a year ago when reports of his ..."
Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith not interested in renting Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer
"Magic GM Otis Smith has bad news for all those fans who might dream of the club renting a Chris Bosh or a Carlos Boozer for the stretch run to a possible title shot. Smith said Wednesday that he has no plans to trade for a star player who is in the last year of his contract. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 18. "The only way you think about that is if you have injuries," Smith said. Smith reiterated that he isn't planning on making any trades. Bosh, power forward for the Toronto Raptors, and Boozer, power forward for the Utah Jazz, can be free agents this summer and seen as likely candidates to leave their current teams. Asked if he thought the Magic were good enough to return to the Finals ..."
Peddie quashes Colangelo-to-N.J. rumours
"Bryan Colangelo, the Raptors president and general manager, isn't going anywhere anytime soon. While various rumours emanating from the New York area have had Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, the soon-to-be-owner of the New Jersey Nets, eyeing Colangelo as a candidate to resurrect that sad-sack franchise, Richard Peddie, the club's CEO, said Wednesday the speculation is wrong. Colangelo's contract in Toronto runs through the end of the 2010-11 season, and although the club has always carried an option to terminate the deal after this season, Peddie said Colangelo will be staying on. A decision to retain Colangelo was recently made by the board of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, ..."
Rumours swirl around Raps' Colangelo
"The end of the month marks the four-year anniversary of Bryan Colangelo's arrival in Toronto when he escaped the ownership debacle in the Arizona desert. On Feb. 28, 2006, Colangelo was given the keys to the Raptors franchise with no strings attached, no interference from ownership and no excuses for producing an on-court product that would be entertaining and successful. Under his watch, the Raptors have made two post-season appearances, but have no series wins. And he has managed the delicate balancing act of appeasing his owners and enticing players very astutely and wisely. Colangelo has done a good job, but his job remains very much incomplete. It is interesting to note that ..."
Is Colangelo Broadway bound?
"Well Toronto fans are feeling pretty good right now and why not? The Raptors are rolling along and taking advantage of a more manageable schedule having won seven of their last eight. Last season Toronto won 18 games at home, with Sunday's victory over the Kings, Toronto has already won 19 games at home. Toronto will shoot for their 20th home victory tomorrow night against the Philadelphia 76ers. OK. So here come the questions about the playoffs, and while some might think Raptor fans are getting ahead of themselves, it's a legitimate question. The team expects to make the playoffs and in hearing that, fans are looking at match-ups. I have my thoughts that you will get at a later date but ..."
Reggie's ready to roar
"To date he has been little more than a passionate Raptors cheerleader in a wrinkled linen sports jacket who just happened to have one of the best seats in the house. He has been extremely visible, but not for the right reasons. That should all change on Wednesday night when Reggie Evans is expected to take the court for the first time in a regular-season game in an Raptors uniform. And no one is happier about that than Evans himself. And it's not just because he can put the jacket, one of two he owns and has taken plenty of ribbing about from teammates and followers of his Twitter account alike. It has been almost four months since Evans, who already was earning a reputation as an ..."
Evans' debut could be bumped up a game
"Reggie Evans' long-awaited Raptors debut may come a game earlier than expected. Raptors head coach Jay Triano wasn't confirming anything Friday, but if Evans continues to progress the way he has the past couple of weeks, Triano said it was possible Evans regular-season debut could come Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers, his former club. Triano likes to get his players going against their former teams -- he believes it's an extra motivator -- but the fact that Wednesday's game is against the Sixers is just an added bonus."
Put Jose on trade block
"Many adjectives get tossed around when one is asked to describe Bryan Colangelo. He is driven and calculating, accessible and coy, fearless and relentless. What makes Colangelo such a good general manager is his ability to keep everything close to the vest. Even in those rare moments when information is shared, there is an agenda because that's how the NBA operates. He is the ultimate poker player in the supremely high stakes game of brokering deals and altering a roster. As Colangelo prepares for the NBA's trade deadline, which kicks in Feb. 18, he's engaged in that daily exercise of evaluating his team and fielding phone calls from his league brethren. Winnable games The Raptors will ..."
Raptors lose game and Calderon with ankle injury
"Of all the many ugly moments that transpired on the Conseco Fieldhouse court here Tuesday night, the worst for Jarrett Jack came when he felt something on his foot, turned around and saw teammate Jose Calderon bent over in pain. Forget all the missed shots and blown defensive assignments and lethargy that marked a 130-115 loss the Raptors suffered at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. It was Calderon holding his ankle, limping first to the bench, then to the locker room and then to the X-ray machine that was the crucial moment of the night and no one felt worse about it than Jack."
Turkoglu is Raps' masked-man; doubtful for tonight
"It's going to be more Zorro than Hannibal Lecter, but chances are the mask Hedo Turkoglu was fitted for Monday night when the Raptors arrived here, isn't going to be around for too long at all. Turkoglu, who wore a mask for exactly one game after he broke his nose when he got in the way of teammate Dwight Howard's elbow two years ago during a game in Houston, said Tuesday night this new mask will get probably as much use. The area under his right eye where he has a small displaced fracture is still sore, but Turkoglu said he just can't get comfortable playing with the mask on so he doesn't give it very long. He'll give it a try, but Turkoglu said it might be off by the time the second ..."
Hot run halts Bosh pursuit
"It was three weeks before Christmas, but there was a perception among NBA general managers that Bryan Colangelo, the Raptors GM, was holding a perpetual Boxing Day sale. Colangelo's squad was struggling, playing .350 ball after 20 games. His all-star forward, Chris Bosh, a soon-to-be free agent of undecided allegiance, was fresh from slouching through a 31-point loss in Atlanta and proclaiming: "We're just not a good team." And callers to Colangelo's phone were mostly of one description: Bargain hunters looking to cart off Bosh at a discount. No such luck. Fast forward 27 games, during which the resurgent Raptors have played .667 hoops. The tone, on the phone and on the floor, has changed. ..."
DeMar DeRozan sprains ankle in practice, doubtful for tonight
"There is a strong likelihood the Raptors will go into the game missing at least one starter. Rookie shooting guard DeMar DeRozan limped out of practice on Tuesday on what team officials said was a sprained right ankle. He had come down on the foot of teammate Hedo Turkoglu during a drill and was scheduled to see team doctors later Tuesday. There was no suggestion it was a long-term issue – Bosh hoped DeRozan might be able to play Wednesday – but since the rookie also tweaked his left ankle during Sunday's game with the Lakers, chances of him playing Wednesday have to be considered slim."
Evans sets a target for return
"It has been the most repeated question of the Raptors season: When is Reggie Evans going to play? Try Feb. 17, Toronto's first game after the NBA's all-star break, at home against the Memphis Grizzlies. At least that's the answer Evans, the defensive specialist who hasn't played a game on account of a pre-season foot sprain, was giving on Tuesday."
Bosh proves he'll be a money player . . . for somebody
"Basically, says Chris Bosh, he is laughing all the way to the bank, just doesn't know yet whose bank. Everywhere he goes, people on the street want to throw the probable NBA maximum $90 million of their favorite team's owner's money at him. Not only is Bosh six months away from being allowed to take it, but he figures the only way to play his intentions straight is with a face that's not. "People ask me that all the time when I go to a city, on the street, on a videophone and stuff like that," said Bosh. "All I can do without trying to offend anyone is laugh." So there was nothing personal against New York in his prolonged guffaw in response to a plea from a Knicks fan contest winner on ..."
Bosh not giving out any hints
"Chris Bosh said not to read anything into his uncontrollable laughter on a Ustream video when a caller asked about signing with the Knicks. But he hardly sounded convincing that he considers New York a viable destination. "If I said something, you can read something into it," Bosh said before scoring 18 points last night in the Raptors' 112-104 victory over the Knicks. "People ask me all the time, every city I go to, in the streets, people have their video phones. That's all I can do without trying offend anybody is laugh." The Raptors power forward would likely be a fallback for the Knicks if their main target LeBron James doesn't come to New York. Bosh, however, wasn't giving any hints. ..."
Bosh in Big Apple could be circus
"Every word uttered by Chris Bosh will be duly noted, in some cases misinterpreted to suit some agenda. As the microphones and notepads eagerly await Bosh in the Big Apple, the Raptors' franchise player knows that his visit to Gotham today has the potential to turn into a circus. And it has nothing to do with the three-ring variety that gets played out at Madison Square Garden. Basketball's mecca brings out the very best in most NBA players because of the spotlight that can be generated only in the sport's biggest market. But there's a downside to being the centre of attention, real or contrived. "Is anybody ready for the New York media?'' Bosh responded at the conclusion of yesterday's ..."
Free-agent target Bosh visits Garden
"If the Knicks can beat Chris Bosh tonight at the Garden, maybe he will want to join them. If they say please, or pretty please. Team president Donnie Walsh is serious about attaching the Knicks to a star, even if, in a UStream video last summer, Bosh found a recruiting plea from a Knicks fan to whom he was awarding a contest prize of autographed sneakers to be uproariously funny. Until now, so has been the idea of Bosh playing an entire NBA season. This season Bosh has played every game, which along with his 24 points per game, 11 rebounds, 52 percent shooting and the slow recuperation of Boston's Kevin Garnett have made the Toronto power forward probably the top power forward in the NBA. ..."
European club eyes Nesterovic
"According to website Sportske.net, Spanish basketball team Real Madrid is searching for a centre and currently is negotiating with the Raptors little-used Rasho Nesterovic. If the club fails to sign the Slovenian, Darko Milicic will be coach Ettore Messina's main target."
Silly season starts in the NBA with lots of talk about Bosh
"The NBA's mid-season is on the horizon, but the silly season finds itself in full bloom. In the world of back-door cuts and cross-over dribbles, the silly season is often referred to as the days and weeks leading up to the league's annual trade deadline, a time of unfiltered talk and unsubstantiated rumours that somehow morph into legitimacy. In a cap world dotted with base-year compensation, making trades is no small feat, but the slight oversight blinds even the most respected chroniclers of all things related to the hardwood. GRAPEVINE BUZZING As Big Al Jefferson so succinctly put it when the hoops grapevine was buzzing of a deal that would send Minnesota's power forward to Indiana in ..."
Calderon is looking like a guy who'll miss more than a couple of games
"Jose Calderon was limping, Jay Triano was thinking and there will be some alterations in what the Raptors do in games now, part out of injury-induced necessity and part out of need to jump start an oft-lifeless group. Calderon ambled slowly out of the Raptors practice facility at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday looking like a guy who'll miss more than a couple of games with a bad left hip, which gives his coach the chance to make some changes. Not only will Jarrett Jack be back as the team's starting point guard Sunday against the Houston Rockets, who backs him up might change as will Triano's rotation of players off the bench."
Calderon's hip worse than thought
"Just when you thought a loss couldn't get any uglier comes news that Jose Calderon's hip injury now appears the sort that will keep him out of the lineup for the long term. How long won't be known until today. Calderon aggravated the injury last night and underwent diagnostic testing after the game to get a better gauge of the severity. The fifth-year point guard went through the club's shootaround yesterday without problems and while he didn't take his regular spot in the starting lineup, did play in last night's game. Calderon came in for Jarrett Jack with three minutes left in the first quarter and then left with 71/2 minutes remaining in the second quarter. He did not play any more and ..."
Raptors' killer B's leave practice Monday
"The Raptors were preaching the old 'all for one, and one for all' spiel after practice Monday. The problem was, one by one, guys left practice early, and that might not bode well for Tuesday's game at the Air Canada Centre against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, holders of the worst record in the NBA's Western Conference (3-17). Well, at least two key players — Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani — left practice early. According to head coach Jay Triano, Bosh was ordered back to bed because of a head cold while Bargnani has "ankle issues." Both are game time decisions for Tuesday. Triano is clearly hoping that his club's starting power forward and centre are well enough to dress Tuesday ..."
Calderon leaves game with hip flexor, shouldn't miss time
"Forget this practice stuff, all the Raptors may do from now on is hold 45-minute soul-cleansing meetings to get themselves ready for games. Responding with a second successive solid outing after a mid-week debacle, they crushed the Bulls 110-78 here Saturday night for a second win in as many nights. It's the first time since November 2007 that the Raptors have won back-to-back road games and ends an emotional stretch of four games in five nights on a high."
Magloire may heed call
"The Big Cat can see himself prowling the court for Canada at next summer's FIBA world basketball championship in Turkey. "Representing my country is an honour and a privilege and it's something I've entertained," Toronto native and Miami Heat centre Jamaal Magloire said last night when asked if playing at the 2010 worlds is on his radar. "I'm looking forward to more dialogue with the Canada Basketball." Magloire has yet to formally commit to the worlds, but the former Eastern Commerce star is leaning toward playing, which would mark the return of a proverbial prodigal son, and would be a major boost for coach Leo Rautins and his team, which will almost certainly include San Antonio ..."
Bosh puts free-agent talk on hold
"As one of the NBA's prime 2010 free-agent targets, Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh found Friday his turn to be asked about the allure of the Miami Heat's cap cash. "It's all a part of the business. I understand it's going to happen," he said of the questioning, in advance of the teams' meeting at Air Canada Centre. "I think LeBron kind of said it best. You have to be respectful of my teammates and make sure I focus on this season, no matter what happens." Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reiterated during last week's visit to AmericanAirlines Arena that he did not plan to discuss his impending free agency for the balance of the season. Bosh reiterated Friday that he "doesn't ..."
Chris Bosh to possibly consider Heat?
"The next stop on the Miami Heat's 2010 free-agency tour might just have an interested applicant, after all. In advance of the Heat's Friday's game in Toronto, Raptors power forward Chris Bosh, an impending free agent, was ask by AOL's Fanhouse about the possibilities of playing alongside Dwyane Wade next season in South Florida. "Anything is possible, I guess," Bosh said. "I guess that seems to be an attractive place, you know, playing with Dwyane and playing in Miami and everything. I guess if they had the right chemistry, the right guys, that they could persuade guys to get there. But we'll see.""
Raptors claim Pops off waivers
"The Toronto Raptors defended the Suns' prolific pick-and-roll by switching on screens, having relatively good success with the strategy. With small point guards, that was not an option for the Rockets, who would not want to force Aaron Brooks or Kyle Lowry to have to match up against Amar'e Stoudemire. The Rockets, however, have allowed center Chuck Hayes to switch defensively, including in games last season against the Suns. "We feel comfortable with Chuck on anybody," Shane Battier said. "Three-fourths of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Chuck Hayes." The Rockets don't switch on pick-and-rolls and usually "show" on screens, but don't trap. "Assistant coaches always ..."
Turkoglu almost joined Suns in 2004
"Steve Nash and Joe Johnson in the backcourt and Amaré Stoudemire, Shawn Marion and Hedo Turkoglu up front. It sounds like an NBA "Where Amazing Happens" commercial cast from four teams, or maybe even an All-Star collection if Turkoglu ever gets his credit. It nearly was the Suns' 2004-05 starting lineup. Things still turned out well in that 62-20 season, with the Suns signing Quentin Richardson instead of Turkoglu, who was an Italian dinner away from securing a future with the Suns and then-General Manager Bryan Colangelo in 2004. Turkoglu and Colangelo now are with the Toronto Raptors. In July 2004, Turkoglu was a 25-year-old free agent who had been a part-time starter in San Antonio. ..."
If LeBron James, Dwyane Wade stay put, New York Knicks may target Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson
"If the Knicks find themselves struggling to woo LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who can become free agents next summer, they'll likely turn their attention to the players such as Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson, who are expected to headline the next tier of potential free agents at season's end. Regardless of how much money the Knicks will have to spend, there's no guarantee of landing a superstar given the state of the franchise, and because James grew up in Ohio and Wade appears to be staying put in Miami - on Tuesday Heat owner Micky Arison said he had "every indication" that Wade wants to finish his career where it started. And while Bosh isn't the same caliber of player, he has already and ..."
Foot injury leaves Evans baffled and bewildered
"The known piece that was Reggie Evans has morphed into the great unknown. Evans, who is well known for his post defence and toughness, doesn't know when he'll be able to rejoin his Raptors in the wake of a foot injury. Evans doesn't know how he got hurt during last week's loss to Boston in Hartford and has yet to watch game video to determine the exact cause of the mishap. All Evans knows is that he won't be playing in today's pre-season home finale against the same Celtics and neither will he be in uniform when the Raptors close out exhibition play on Friday in Sioux Falls, S.D., against the host Timberwolves. Evans doesn't know if he'll be available for team's regular-season opener ..."
Ultimate tweener aims to contribute
"The future of Marcus Banks as a Raptor is as clouded as his role on the team. Banks admits he can get moved, but insists he's paying no attention to the gossip. "If it's in the best interest of the Raptors organization to make a move, then that's what they've got to do,'' Banks said yesterday on media day. "I'm not going to worry because it's out of my control. All I worry about is helping this team." But how and in what capacity?"
Having stars on light duties 'perfect'
"It's starting, but where to start? The Toronto Raptors haven't had an official practice yet and their two best players are either hurt (Chris Bosh) or just plain tired (Hedo Turkoglu), and both are likely unavailable for the hard part of training camp that starts in Ottawa today. Still, it was as if someone set off a sunshine bomb when the team's key figures came out to meet the media before boarding their Air Happy Times charter yesterday afternoon on their way to a week of two-a-days at Carleton University."
Trade rumours link Raps, Mavs
"Just when it appeared Byran Colangelo's makeover of the Raptors was over, comes word that the GM isn't done. Talk is the Raps are keen on sending Marcus Banks to Dallas for Matt Carroll in a swap of guards which, in effect, amounts to a salary dump by the Mavericks."
So long, Carlos and Roko
"Just when you thought it was safe to think the Raptors were done, they're not. Details are a bit sketchy at the moment, but according to league sources, they are about to finalize a trade that could send swingman Carlos Delfino and point guard Roko Ukic in a two-for-two deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Young big man Amir Johnson is headed to Toronto but the other component of the deal remains unknown. It's unclear when the deal will be official but it could be done as early as today or tomorrow. The financial aspect of the deal will be felt at the end of next season. If the deal is two-for-tw and the final player added is not waived, it will fill out Toronto's 15-man roster and spell the end ..."
Sources: Raptors nab Belinelli
"The Toronto Raptors' intrigue with running a European-modeled franchise advanced again with a trade for Golden State guard Marco Belinelli, NBA sources told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday night. The Raptors will send Devean George to the Warriors. Belinelli, an Italian guard, was a favorite of Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo prior to the 2007 draft when the Warriors selected him with the 18th pick. Belinelli averaged nearly nine points a game for Golden State last season. He joins fellow Italian Andrea Bargnani on the Raptors roster."
Raptors jump at chance to bring in Jarrett Jack
"The Raptors have set their free-agent sights on the kind of combo guard general manager Bryan Colangelo covets; one who comes with the added bonus of being a former teammate of Chris Bosh. Jarrett Jack, a five-year NBA restricted free agent from the Indiana Pacers, who played with Bosh at Georgia Tech, will get a four-year offer sheet from the Raptors, according to team and league sources. Financial details of the pact – which the Pacers have seven days to match from the time Jack officially signs it – were not immediately available. The 25-year-old Jack made just over $2 million (all figures U.S.) last season, but to ensure a legitimate shot at acquiring him – and because they have a ..."
Source: Cavaliers have interest in Toronto Raptors forward Joey Graham
"Should the Cavaliers fail to land the "stretch-four" they've been seeking, another player they have some interest in is free agent small forward Joey Graham, according to an NBA source. Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry could not be reached on Saturday night to confirm the team's interest. Graham, 27, has spent his entire career in Toronto after the Raptors made him the 16th pick in the 2005 draft out of Oklahoma State. The 6-7, 225-pound Graham is a strong defender who averaged 7.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 19.8 minutes in 78 games with the Raptors last season. He shot 48 percent from the field but only 18 percent from 3-point range. His twin brother Stephen, who played 13 games with the ..."
Might this keep Bosh in town?
"One of the first to reach out to Hedo Turkoglu was Chris Bosh. The two had a brief phone conversation, but the moment left an impression with the newest Raptor. "When I heard his voice, I was nervous,'' Turkoglu said. "Then I was happy to hear him welcome me." Turkoglu's presence will be welcome because he is that offensively gifted. And it may even persuade Bosh to stick around beyond this season. General manager Bryan Colangelo has positioned his team brilliantly in a climate where money is tight. The team has three roster spots and can, in theory, use a "Bird Exception" to sign Carlos Delfino, a player it covets, the league's mid-level exception of roughly $5.8 million US and the ..."
Complicated Marion deal close
"As first reported by multiple sources, including the Sun's basketball blog late last night, the Raptors are on the verge of completing a mega-deal that will restore much-needed depth to the team's roster. Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo worked long and hard yesterday on a deal that would send free agent forward Shawn Marion to the equally diligent Dallas Mavericks. The teams needed to add more parties in order to get all the details to work under the NBA's salary cap. The final deal, expected to be finalized in a trade call this afternoon, breaks down as follows: The Raptors send Marion, who sources say will get a five-year, $39 million US contract, to the Mavs, along with Kris ..."