Houston re-tools, Toronto contends.

[warren weel im]

Its one of those Tmac trades...

Toronto trades: Bargnani, Calderon, Nesterovic, Garbajosa
receives: Tmac, Alston

Houston trades: Tmac, Alston
receives: Bargnani, Calderon, Kapono, Garbajosa

Rationale:
Its basically Houston deciding to let Tmac go to an Eastern team with plenty in return. For starters, its the upgrade of Calderon over Alston who will feed Yao the ball everytime down. Bargnani is required to meet the all-star caliber that McGrady commands while Toronto cashes in on some of its so-so players to have a star to pair with Chris Bosh.

Houston does this why?
Because its clear Tmac is not the best person to play with Yao. It would be suicide to trade Yao so you trade Tmac instead. Calderon and Bargnani are the prizes of this trade but while Calderon is really good, there's that big contract looming for them which might turn Toronto's head a bit. In Houston, Calderon will likely get 8-10m per and he can do so because Tmac's salary of 21m next year will come off the books.

Why exactly will Toronto trade its future?
Boston is beatable. Since Toronto is headed for the division win, a duo of Tmac-Bosh will be a headache in the East. Calderon has expressed his desire for a big contract and Toronto is least likely to offer him 10m anyway because of the status of TJ Ford, Bargnani will be required from Houston because that would justify losing Tmac for them. Rasho and Jorge are merely salary fodder to make the trades work and Alston becomes Toronto's insurance in case Ford misses the rest of the season.

Tmac and Rafer are both former Raptors too so roots might spread deeper than expected.

I'm a fan of neither team but I would love to see this deal go down for 3 reasons:
1. The balance of power will somehow shift, tilting East. It gives Toronto a legitimate shot at beating Detroit, Orlando and Boston.
2. Houston sucks with the current set-up. Something tells me a change of Point Guards will do the trick. Calderon runs the half-court Very Well.
3. It would be funny how the West's second leading vote-getter guard will actually play for the East this year. LOL.

[bryant08]

I doubt T-Mac wants to come back to Toronto with the weather and all. But from a Houston perspective, I think it's good, but there are definitely better offers. If Bargnani was having a better season this year, then I'd assume Houston would be a bit more interested. But it's really not worth the risk for them. Throw in a 1st or two to see if you can get them a bit more enticed.

[warren weel im]

Its not really Tmac's call exactly but I can see both teams considering it because of the top 2 reasons I just said. It would be quite a deal too, and I think both GMs can work out the add-ons for themselves, perhaps swapping of picks (Toronto gets the higher) kinda things.

[RoxFan08]

I love Calderon, but he isn't as good or as important to this team as Tmac. The rest I wouldn't trade anything of value for. Kapono is nice, but he's a one trick pony. Bargnani is a certified bust. Garbajosa is just an energy player (we have plenty of those), and is injured to boot.

It's McGrady for Calderon, essentially. I'd rather have Tmac.

[supertruck97]

Its not really Tmac's call exactly but I can see both teams considering it because of the top 2 reasons I just said. It would be quite a deal too, and I think both GMs can work out the add-ons for themselves, perhaps swapping of picks (Toronto gets the higher) kinda things.

Houston would give the best player AND give the higher pick. No effin way.

If it's between paying TMac 21 mil, and paying Calderon 8-10 Mil, I'll take TMac 10 times out of 10.

Alston is playing well enough to hold down the Pg spot until we have a young PG to groom. The upgrade from Alston to Calderon is not worth NEARLY the downgrade from TMac to the restg of the garbage in this trade (Bargs is garbage).

Bargs is the WORST player to put next to Yao. He's a soft Euro who can't rebound for chit. Yao needs an enforcer next to him. Bargs is a bust, and the complete opposite of what Yao needs.

Also, Rockets big problem has been lack of scoring from their 3rd option. In this deal, you have them dealing their #1/2 Scoring option, for guys who can't give near the PPG return..

In short, the Rox say no, in a not-so-polite way.

[zong]

value-wise Toronto has the advantage, but we simply dont want T-Mac and Alston, tried it before, not gonna turn the clock back

[KiDdFrESh]

no way for the rockets.

[Mascot]

Toronto already got rid of one half man half a season i dont think they want his cousin back in toronto