Doug Smith: Raptors close to signing FA with MLE

[Duffman100]

Could it be Brendan Haywood?

Doubt it. If Amir got almost 7 a year, Haywood is going to get 10.

[Jmatt12]

Could it be Brendan Haywood?

This would be good as we finally get a solid player at the 5. But i don't think it will happen. He will probably get more somewhere else.

[Strategist1]

Out of all the guys listed, ..I'd take Brewer.

Still, besides this move...I really hope BC makes some kind of move for a legit 1st option or 2nd tier star.

Probably won't happen though.

But Brewer should fit well with the young guys on the team.. So I'm hoping its him.

[Southward1]

Josh Childress is the best option at that price range and it's by a fair margin. Ronnie Brewer is completely redundant with Demar Derozan, they are practically the same player right now. I doubt it's a big with Amir, Davis, Bargnani, and Alabi all under contract. It's a 3.

[Too Late Crew]

if we go after a MLE calibre small forward, what does that say for Hedo?

This city was in an uproar with krapono coming off the bench for MLE, do you really think it will happen again?

THIS

I have no issue with using the MLE but you don't just use it to use it.

If Hedo is going to be here playing 30 MPG and having "Ball" why do you need a full MLE guy to come in and play his mop up minutes? I like Brewer but not on this team. He's an athletic slasher who moves off the ball and plays some defense. He doesn't shoot with any range, create off the dribble. What does he do that Demar and Sonny can't?

The only reason I can see for using the MLE on one of the guys listed NOW is becuase many teams are holding back for the big dominios (Lebron, Wade etc) to fall. Since many teams have the MLE to offer if you offer it FIRST you might get a player to bite that otherwise would not. They might think "Well I'd rather go to X for the MLE but what if something happens and they make a trade or sign someone and they can't or won't give me the MLE? Toronto is offering it NOW I can get it for sure..why take a chance?

[Jmatt12]

I hope they announce something. This has been an underwhelming free agency so far.

[RTM]

Skimming through this thread, I've seen tons of poster call Brewer an ELITE (in all capitals) defender.

I've seen him play a lot, and that is really stretching it. He's athletic and overall good, but he's not a lock down guy.

Although, compared to who you've had on the wings defensively over the past few years, he's certainly an upgrade on that end.

[TGM]

Based on how Brewer gets most of his pts... (Off of movement, back cuts, screens and going to the basket) coupled with his size and age, he's the most attractive of the players listed.

He could certainly play alot of minutes as well. He's long and gets into the passing lanes. I was shocked that Utah dumped him, and Memphis didn't both picking him up.

Totally agree. I thought Brewer was such a gem coming out of college and thought that he never got a great chance in UTah, because of their depth. He is able to play some point as well, which would work great next to Jack.

[CapeCrusader]

No point of getting hyped up untill they actually name names.

[RapticPride]

JJ Rediculous at the 2, DeRo at the 3...would be a thing of beauty.

[gerrit4]

Could it be Brendan Haywood?

Doubt it. If Amir got almost 7 a year, Haywood is going to get 10.

If Haywood did take a discount, it would be for a team like LA or even Chicago if they were to pick up Bpsh & Lebron. I could see a potential S&T of Deng for Haywood happen if that was the case.

But yeah, I don't see any way we get Haywood for less than 10 mill.

[Silvie Lysandra]

The thing is that how are we going to cut salary, with Bargs, Jack, Calderon and Hedo signed up. Even if we move Turk for expirings, it will be pretty tough for this team to be well below the salary cap to sign a big name. The MLE nowadays is actually a great way to acquire talent. Look at Salmons, Jack, Ariza. We could wait longer and see which guys are left in the market once the dust settles, but we will be picking from the scraps. I think to BC, he rather pay the full MLE and get the guy that he wants with potential.

With so many teams with cap space not being able to be contenders for the MLE, we might as well try to snatch up the guy we want first.

I'm confident BC will get a nice find and bring in a starting calibre player.

It's not just about signing FAs - it's about having an overall plan and direction, and not just signing guys left and right. For example, maybe your star is stuck on the bench, and needs floor time to develop. Oops, you have 100m over 4 years tied up in 2 guys at the same position! So you have to play them. Maybe Derozan's a future 25/5/5 guy. Oops, you have 100m over 4 years tied up at the 2 and 3 spots! Maybe you lucked out and drafted Wall. Oops, now Jack and Calderon are pissed because they're making 60m to ride the bench!

That's the problem overpaying too many players creates. Obviously, you'd like to sign a star, but arguably the more important part of cap management is not being too invested in too many guys to actually build a team.

[Harry Palmer]

It's not just about signing FAs - it's about having an overall plan and direction, and not just signing guys left and right.

This is the point I've been trying to hammer for years.

A lot of BC's most damnable moves are/were arguable in isolation.

It's like Homer in the land of chocolate. HALF-PRICE!!!

[RapsFanInVA]

Doug Smith must be proud that one of his tidbits has generated 23 pages of discussion, without the majority of it being posters bashing him as a terrible journalist.

[IntricateOh25]

Does anyone think Ryan Gomes could come in and fill the role Garbo used to have? A tweener forward that can rebound, defend a little bit, and knock down some shots?

[djesuan]

Doug Smith must be proud that one of his tidbits has generated 23 pages of discussion, without the majority of it being posters bashing him as a terrible journalist.

As the saying goes, 'A broken clock is right twice a day'. It should come as no surprise if we use our MLE on someone.

[phailing101]

Does anyone think Ryan Gomes could come in and fill the role Garbo used to have? A tweener forward that can rebound, defend a little bit, and knock down some shots?

I dunno if he has the range to park himself behind the 3 point line and throw up shots whenever he gets the ball.

[Bankai]

I totally forgot we still have Reggie Evans on the payroll, we need to package him and Marcus Banks for something if we dont plan to use them. Maybe for someone who is a good shooter. Then try to get a Center from a Bosh S&T or the MLE.

[tkim01]

Does anyone think Ryan Gomes could come in and fill the role Garbo used to have? A tweener forward that can rebound, defend a little bit, and knock down some shots?

I dunno if he has the range to park himself behind the 3 point line and throw up shots whenever he gets the ball.

Gomes is a very underrated passer.

I woull personally prefer Brewer but I don't think there will be minutes to go around. We can take a chance with Foye, but the safest signing would be Gomes.

[Brinbe]

Yawn, 23 pages for nothing.