Are the Raptors keeping T.J.?

[Grizzled]

I like TJ's potential talent more than Calderon's, but guys, you prepare for the worst not hope for the best. Hopefully TJ doesn't get taken out again anytime soon, but from an objective point of view you have to consider it inevitable. Calderon is insurance, because TJ is sure to miss 10 or more games a season.

This is not about who we like, this is about doing what's best for the team. And keeping JC is best.

I would agree that TJ has more physical potential, although right now he

[DASMACKDOWN]

Thanks guys for some insightful answers.

My worry is that like someone said, an ego will come into play. I have just never seen 2 pgs of that calibor(1 being a starter, 1 being a backup) lasting longterm.

It will probably be pressure to trade one and upgrade the wing positions.

I just am not buying that Jose would be cool with playing 19mins per game (the avg time he plays off the bench when TJ starts). Plus if he is making close to 8-10 mil per ie more than TJ, then it would actually be silly for him to be on the bench.

Then you will be asking, would TJ be cook with only playing 19mins per game.

[Shaazzam]

Thanks guys for some insightful answers.

My worry is that like someone said, an ego will come into play. I have just never seen 2 pgs of that calibor(1 being a starter, 1 being a backup) lasting longterm.

It will probably be pressure to trade one and upgrade the wing positions.

I just am not buying that Jose would be cool with playing 19mins per game (the avg time he plays off the bench when TJ starts). Plus if he is making close to 8-10 mil per ie more than TJ, then it would actually be silly for him to be on the bench.

Then you will be asking, would TJ be cook with only playing 19mins per game.

I think both these guys are at their most effective while playing light minutes. 82+ games is a long haul, and neither of these guys are physical specimens. They both get worn down.

[OzzyAZ]

Eventually, one of them will be dealt. It could be as early as this off-season. You just can't have starting calibre PG's sharing minutes long-term. Even if you are willing to shell out 16-18 mill per year on PG play, the PG's will eventually want their own team to run. Their both topclass PG's and would both require an increased role in the team. There's no two ways about it.

Exactly. If you have two great shooting guards for example, you could play both at the same time and they would still be effective. That works for every position except for point guard, where having two great pass first ones on the court is redundant. Consequentially, if you only play TJ for 24 minutes and Jose for 24 minutes, you lose ~12 effective minutes per game from each player which can have positive and negative effects (mostly it's just a waste of money).

The way I see it, trading one of them is inevitable. Most likely it would be Jose in a sign and trade since his value is high right now and his contract will likely be more than TJ's.

[jonny three time]

Apparently most posters in this thread have amnesia. Ford is a big risk to early retirement as he considered it all of 2 months ago. He's more at risk of early retirement than anyone in the league, and his 26 Mil for the next 3 years has to be considered as a potential cap killer if something happens. So any team that has Ford (us or another) is taking a risk with him and his contract.

So why does it make sense for us to take those risks when we already have a starter of equal caliber who doesn't carry those risks? The risk:reward just isn't worth it. A team that needs a pass-first PG might be more willing to accept those risks and Ford would have more value to them.

As much as having both point guards has helped us I think BC would like to trade Ford in the offseason if the trade had 2 elements to it. An upgrade at the wing position, and roster salary flexibility for now and for the future.

[James699]

The only trade I would do, (if it happens) Deron Williams or Chris Paul for Jose . Other than that let him stay, unless he opts out and goes for the money somewhere else.

[Nolan]

I think we will keep him for now. If we do decide to move him it will next season.

[mihaic]

Eventually, one of them will be dealt. It could be as early as this off-season. You just can't have starting calibre PG's sharing minutes long-term. Even if you are willing to shell out 16-18 mill per year on PG play, the PG's will eventually want their own team to run. Their both topclass PG's and would both require an increased role in the team. There's no two ways about it.

My take is that when the time to pick a PG for the future comes, TJ will be given the keys to the franchise and Jose will be the odd man out.

Many factors for that:

- Sam loves TJ like his own son. So, he would surely have a say in the matter as well. That leave Jose out, no matter how much Sam respects him.

- The raptors like TJ's ability to penetrate and make plays on the fly. Sam always stresses on that. So when it comes to a style of play to choose, TJ will be preferred.

- TJ and Bosh are close buddies. I am sure Bosh will prefer if Ford would be picked to be our long time PG.

- Colengelo has always liked to build fast teams and his teams have hardly been half court-oriented, which again points in TJ's favor

- The league coaches have been drooling over Jose for quite some time now. So, his demand will fetch the raps a much better player/more value than what TJ could bring in.

- Once TJ comes fully back and is in good shape in the next few weeks, look for Sam to hand his starting spot back to him and move Jose to the bench. No matter how much Jose says that he's happy with his role and all, you think he'd be content playing second fiddle to someone for 18-19 mins a game when at one stage he almost made the all-star team? I don't think so. At some point, Jose will want to have his own team to run. No can deny that. And even if Jose remains a starter, you think Ford will be happy being a reserve long-term? No Sir. One will have to go eventually and it will likely be Jose.

All nice and interesting points but would they take that risk? If something happens to TJ afterwards (after a trade) it would scream `incompetent management`(Of course unless the offer for Calderon is that much sweeter)

I personally doubt that management would take that risk which is why they may not necessarily trade any of them