VIA The Score Ticker: ESPN Reports Cavs contact Raptors

[basketball royalty]

How do you guys feel if the cavs took back Jarret Jack instead of calderon, and also took back Turk?

Taking what you guys have to offer for Bosh would be favor enough. You have to take both Jose and Hedo for us to consider the guys who are unloading on us.

[PaperHoops]

The deal might make the Cavs a favorite on paper, but it all depends on how Orlando and Boston reload. I'd still put 2-3 teams out west ahead of Cleveland as far as chances to win a ring next year.

Until Bosh proves he's a winner, this move to Cleveland doesn't mean anything. So far, Bosh has had 2 winning seasons, and while winning will be easier in Cleveland, they still need to prove they can be tough enough to win in the playoffs.

I still say -

Mo
Anderson
JJ
1st round pick
Plus incentive is great for Jose and Bosh. Another team will scoop Hedo, and we'll end up with a piece that is very NBA ready.

[Magic24]

The deal might make the Cavs a favorite on paper, but it all depends on how Orlando and Boston reload. I'd still put 2-3 teams out west ahead of Cleveland as far as chances to win a ring next year.

Until Bosh proves he's a winner, this move to Cleveland doesn't mean anything. So far, Bosh has had 2 winning seasons, and while winning will be easier in Cleveland, they still need to prove they can be tough enough to win in the playoffs.

I still say -

Mo
Anderson
JJ
1st round pick
Plus incentive is great for Jose and Bosh. Another team will scoop Hedo, and we'll end up with a piece that is very NBA ready.

Question? Where do you want to see the Raptors in the next couple of years? Do you want to put out a team that is playoff capable, or do you want the Raptors to build for a championship? Why pay near lux tax next year for a team that won't compete?

Why have AV for so many years, unless you think he will be a holdover going past the rebuild?
The only thing of value in that trade is JJ and the 1st.

[PaperHoops]

The deal might make the Cavs a favorite on paper, but it all depends on how Orlando and Boston reload. I'd still put 2-3 teams out west ahead of Cleveland as far as chances to win a ring next year.

Until Bosh proves he's a winner, this move to Cleveland doesn't mean anything. So far, Bosh has had 2 winning seasons, and while winning will be easier in Cleveland, they still need to prove they can be tough enough to win in the playoffs.

I still say -

Mo
Anderson
JJ
1st round pick
Plus incentive is great for Jose and Bosh. Another team will scoop Hedo, and we'll end up with a piece that is very NBA ready.

Question? Where do you want to see the Raptors in the next couple of years? Do you want to put out a team that is playoff capable, or do you want the Raptors to build for a championship? Why pay near lux tax next year for a team that won't compete?

Why have AV for so many years, unless you think he will be a holdover going past the rebuild?
The only thing of value in that trade is JJ and the 1st.

I think the Raptors have lacked chemistry over the past two seasons. Alot of it has to do with the new players, but I blame it more on the players who were still there. Bosh/Bargs/Jose. Those three just don't fit as the top options on the squad. Those are the three guys who should've been setting the example when the new guys came in. Do you think Hedo walks into camp in Boston out of shape? PP, KG would be all over him, ensuring he was ready to go to battle.

Back to your question. I think getting Varajao is an absolute steal just based on his defensive game. He was all NBA 'D' and the Raptors haven't sniffed that type of talent since Doug Christie.

You take JJ because he has shown un tapped potential, and seems to have the size and strength to be a really good NBA player. [Phoenix was willing to talk Amare if JJ was coming back their way.]

Mo is just flat out better than Jose and their deals are somewhat even.

The Raptors won't sniff a championship until they hit the lottery for a couple of more years, or are able to parlay some of their assets at the right moment to nab a superstars. Unfortunately, only one team wins the ring every year, and until Kobe retires it's liable to reside out West.

Ultimately, you want the Raptors to be mainstays in the playoffs. It will help attract players. They need to build a winning culture, and get rid of the soft reputation they have. Softest team in the league, and they're always settling for jumpers.

Jose, Hedo, Bosh and Bargs would all rather face up and shoot, that's the whole dynamic the team takes on.

Everyone just seems so worried about cap flexibility if we take on what the Cavs have - but we'd be locked into jose and hedo either way. BC made that commitment already and we're stuck with it.