Should the Raptors have gone after Shaq ?

[Mr. Savage]

T.J. Ford
Rasho
Dixon
Baston (or Graham)

for

Shaq
Chris Quinn


I don't know, but with Calderon blossoming like he does, T.J. would have been expandable. And still, T.J. is young and could have given Wade some relief at the PG position, which is what Miami is looking for. Miami would also save some money because Dixon expires after this season, while Rasho and Maceo do after next season.

The Raps obviously would get Shaq, a physical presence down low that they are missing for so long. With the shooting that the Raptors have, Shaq would have been a pretty good fit. He'd probably mesh well with Bosh and Bargnani as well, since they aren't prototypical lowpost banger. Adding Shaq would also shed the label of a pure jumpshooting team.
Then the Heat would throw in Chris Quinn, who is nothing special but still can hit the open three pointer and give Calderon 10-15 minutes of rest every game, while running the offense better than what Dixon has shown.


Having Shaq would have given Mitchell something to expirement with in the line up. He could either go traditionally with Bargnani off the bench:


Calderon
Parker
Moon
Bosh
Shaq

or he could go massively big:

Calderon
Parker
Bargnani
Bosh
Shaq



I don't know, but if I was BC I would have taken a look at this deal.

[bryant08]

^Bargs can't play SF, he'd get torn apart on defense. And that would be the worst defensive lineup in the NBA, from head to toe in terms of your second lineup.

[Korr]

i think it's a good thing BC didn't look at this deal

[JL2002]

no, even with Shaq we can't contend for the ring....Suns can....

[pop-vlado]

why would you EVER want Shaq?? oh my god...I just don't get it...Let's give up Shawn Marion for a guy who can't stay healthy for more than 4 games, is going to most likely retire after this season, who can't run or jump, and who has a giant contract

[The Letter V]

We're not a perenial contender like PHX.

Now is not the time to make a move like this. In a couple of years, when we'll be on the brink of seriously contending for a title, adding an aging star could be valuable- right now, the move would only hinder the growth process of the team.

[Mr. Savage]

Yeah, but what would the Raps lose ?

With Calderon showing what he can do, it appears as he can be the full time PG, which makes TJ tradeable. We have seen how the raps can be even without TJ.

Rasho would be the only other rotation player that'd be given up and his void would be filled by Shaq.

[hksazn]

we lose a two headed monster or a better trade senario

[LittleOzzy]

No, Shaq is great but we are not yet at the point where we need to make moves like that.

If Bosh was 34 year old I could see making a move like this, but we have plenty of time to build around him.

[peralta]

forget the Shaq deal...we got Rasho!!

[JL2002]

Yeah, but what would the Raps lose ?

With Calderon showing what he can do, it appears as he can be the full time PG, which makes TJ tradeable. We have seen how the raps can be even without TJ.

Rasho would be the only other rotation player that'd be given up and his void would be filled by Shaq.

you underestimated how Forderon makes the team that much better. Since TJ's injury, guys like Kapono, Delfino, Bargnani, and the team as a whole sometimes have struggle. Due to the fact that Dixon and Martin couldn't distribute or makes plays for them. Kapono couldn't find open shots, Delfino has to create himself and sometimes jack up the ball like crazy. .....we need the 48min of solid PG .....

[mintsa]

No...simple as that.

[ICEMANRC]

I think the Suns made a bad trade, but it could be vindicated if they end up winning the ring.
Raps making this trade? I'd have to say "Hell no" on that one. We still wouldn't be a contender, and we would would be mortgaging our future for pretty much nothing.

[miruss2001]

Not Shaq but we should have Marion. Rasho, Kapono and Dixon do it by the trade checker.

[torsport]

Love Shaq,

And if healthy could've been a difference maker in TO.

The problem is the big if...if he isn't healthy he's a cap albatross much like what happened with Hakeem.

I think the risk is too high and Raps are still a pretty good team without him and are still getting better.

[chsh22]

Should they have? No. Could we have? Realistically, no. Even if the salaries match that's a lot of roster depth we're giving up for a guy who won't bring us a championship. With phoenix, the rest of the parts are there and the move probably makes them favourites in the West, provided Shaq plays games.

[Southward1]

that move is idiotic.

[TheMainEvent]

No. No they shouldn't.

[La princesa]

No...no and no

[Fairview4Life]

Not Shaq but we should have Marion. Rasho, Kapono and Dixon do it by the trade checker.

It's too bad that the trade checker isn't a euphemism for "Steve Kerr".