Morse Code wrote:I'm not a Derozan fanboy but I don't understand the hate for DD from memphis fans. He's slightly worse than Gay this seasons statistically, he's younger and a hard worker (adds more to his game every season) and about half the price. From the raptors perspective most of us would rather include DD than Ross just because Ross has great upside, plays really good D, can shoot from beyond the 3 line, gets out on fast breaks and very athletic. Many raptors fans believe he will be better than Demar within a few seasons if given the same opportunity. Not to mention he's on a rookie contract and seems like a team-first kind of guy. Calderon doesn't serve much purpose other than the expiring 11M plus his on-court chemistry with Gasol. He would be one of, if not the best, back up PG in the league which would help MEM in the playoffs.
I have seen some pretty good offers from other teams, that the Raptors wouldn't be able to match, but they are coming from fans, and we don't know what has actually been offered, obviously. If it turns out that you guys can get somebody like Derrick Williams +picks/expirings, or AK47, or something like that, then good luck. If not, I think DD would mesh well with your lineup and continue to get better, and T Ross could also start right away and be an asset for the future.
At this point, Raptors are willing to give up anything but Lowry and Valanciunas, IMO. Also, we would want to keep one of DD or Ross. You guys don't like a Calderon + DD or Ross + fields/Kleiza or Ed Davis package at all? Our feeling is that DD would be better because it means less raping of our cap space from taking on Gay. That's why I thought Ross or Ed Davis would be better than fields/DD because they're super cheap and young, but one poster seemed to want Calderon + DD + Fields, which from Raptors perspective is MUCH better than just Calderon + DD + filler or Calderon + Ross + filler. You would be doing us a favor to take Fields lol
I may be alone amongst Grizz fans, but I would be okay with Calderon, Derozan and a pick for Gay and possibly Bayless. I think we (Grizz) need a stud SG going forward as we could lose T. Allen this off season who will be looking for his final long term deal but who may not make fiscal sense for the Organization going forward. Therefore obtaining a talent such as Derozan or Ross is actually a must in the Rudy Gay trade.