These are our Toronto Raptors Linkage links for August 18th from 03:37 to 07:56:
- Bucks acquire Delfino and Ukic, but does it matter? – Brew Hoop – I honestly don’t know how Delfino will shake up the 2/3 rotation, as it’s very possible Delfino ends up getting burn at the 2 (more his natural position) and forces Bell or Meeks (sadly) out of the lineup. And while I’d throw Thomas in as the backup center for now, that’s mostly because I’m hoping to see a lot less of Elson and Gadzuric. Where does Joe Alexander fit in all of this? Who knows. He’ll still be fighting for minutes at the 3/4 spots, and with the lack of proven players at those positions he’ll certainly get a chance to play–it’s just a question of whether he can take advantage of it.
- Report: Bucks deal Amir Johnson – BostonHerald.com – The 6-foot-6-inch Delfino is the key man in the trade for the Bucks, a player who can provide depth at small forward, still a major concern after the departure of veteran Richard Jefferson in a June 23 trade. That was the same deal that netted Johnson from the Detroit Pistons.But the 6-9 Johnson became more expendable in the Bucks’ thinking after they signed free agent Hakim Warrick to a one-year, $3 million deal earlier this month. Warrick will have a chance to gain a starting spot at power forward.
The Bucks also are encouraged by the development of young power forward Ersan Ilyasova, who signed a three-year deal earlier this summer, and they have veteran Kurt Thomas to provide depth at power forward and center.
- Behind the scenes with DeMar DeRozan at the 2009 NBA Draft – Some behind the scenes Flip Cam footage of Raptors Rookie DeMar DeRozan at the 2009 NBA Draft
- The Knicks Blog » Raptors Deal Delfino to Bucks, The End for Sessions in Milwaukee? – From a basketball standpoint, this deal would make a lot of sense for the Raptors. They have already brought in Antoine Wright, DeMar DeRozan, Marco Belinelli and Heod Turkoglu to be in the mix at the SG/ SF spot. Johnson would bring some needed depth up-front. The Raptors have already brought in bunch of new talent this off-season. Up-front, they have added Reggie Evans and Rasho Nesterovic to play with Bosh and Bargnani. Johnson could be the first forward off the bench there.
- TheStar.com | Carlos Delfino, Roko Ukic latest to exit Raptors – The financial aspect of the deal will be felt at the end of next season.Johnson has just one year and $3,666,667 (all figures U.S.) left on his contract while Ukic had an option for $1,450,000 in the 2010-11 season. Weems will make the league minimum of $736,420 next season with no guarantee beyond that.
And with the expectation that the salary cap and luxury tax thresholds will drop next season, any long-term savings will help to keep some kind of financial flexibility for Colangelo, team president and general manager.
But giving up on Ukic is a gamble, even for a Toronto team with a surfeit of point guards.
- Delfino deal all but done | Toronto Sun – Milwaukee’s front office was intrigued by the potential of Johnson, 22, who was drafted by Detroit out of high school in 2005. Immediately after dealing Richard Jefferson to San Antonio for Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto in June, the Bucks sent Oberto to Detroit for Johnson.Johnson became more expendable when the Bucks signed Hakim Warrick, a move that came after Memphis rescinded its qualifying offer to the restricted free agent.
- Bryan Colangelo Steals Amir Johnson | Hoops Addict – With one brilliant move, Colangelo was able to deal a guard that was going to rot on the bench, Roko Ukic, in order to fix the teams most glaring need: front court depth. Even if Johnson only manages to match his 14.7 minutes per game that he averaged last season it will be a great improvement over what Ukic was looking at playing.Where things could really get interesting is if Johnson flourishes and becomes the player the Pistons envisioned last summer. If what he did in Las Vegas last month is any indication – granted, this was summer league so that’s a big if – then the Raptors have picked up a young stud that will be around for years to come.
Remember to log on to our forums: Click here
Related posts:
Filed under:
articles
good trade because the raptors trade 2 guys that were never going to play for them. for a young athletic defensive minded big. who will battle w/ rasho and reggie for first big off the bench. but im not all giddy about the move like some people. Actually I think its a good trade for both teams. and if im a bucks fan and im not I would love the trade. Carlos can start for them and easily avg 10+ points because his teammates stink, and Roko who im not as high on as some people but does still have a chance to be a good player if he can become a better decision maker &learn how to shoot.
Sean…agreed.
I think I'd still have Evans be the first big, if only because of experience and a bit more of a man-on-man mindset. Watching Amir last year, he was exposed quite often on the man-to-man end of things and it's a glaring weakness on our squad already.