Raptors "Curious" About Arenas?

[Built Ford Tough]

Outside of Orlando's flirtations, I can only claim to have heard what are best described as "rumbles of curiosity" from the suddenly starless Toronto Raptors. Wouldn't describe it as anything more serious than that, especially when the $14.5 million salary-cap exception that the Raptors created in a sign-and-trade with Miami when Chris Bosh bolted isn't big enough to absorb Arenas' salary-cap number this season. Or when Canada's strict gun laws could well make acquiring Arenas, after a felony conviction, rather complicated even if the Raps were game.

 

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-101105-07/gilbert-arenas-john-wall-work-washington

 

Wouldn't surprise me at all if this were to be true.

 

The only thing is that the TPE isn't large enough to absorb Arenas' salary, so the Raptors would have to be giving up players in return, one of which would be Calderon I would imagine.

 

As much as I would hate to see this happen, if the Wizards are so desperate to get out of Arenas' deal that they would send a couple of draft picks with him, I think I might actually consider it. His deal is absolutely terrible, but it is only 1 year longer than Calderon's deal and the picks could prove to be valuable.

 

I wouldn't want it to happen, nor do I really think it would happen, but it is definitely concerning to see the Raptors name linked with Arenas considering Colangelo's track record of making desperate moves.

[AboveLegit]

HIGHLY doubt we trade any draft picks for Arenas. Ted Leonsis wants to build through the draft and values every pick we have, if anything he would be looking for picks in return.

[Dash]

Absolutely no way the Wizards would give up a draft pick along with Arenas unless MAYBE the both teams were to swap picks much like the Rockets/Knicks did for 2011.I think at best the Raptors come out with a prospect like Nick Young but Washington seems to covet him and aren't likely to let him go. Washington and Toronto just don't seem like very good trade partners. The Wizards don't want to be giving up value along with Arenas unless they something goes awfully wrong this season and they get desperate, but they may feel a contender (Orlando?) would take Arenas without having to give up extra value.

[Built Ford Tough]

Absolutely no way the Wizards would give up a draft pick along with Arenas unless MAYBE the both teams were to swap picks much like the Rockets/Knicks did for 2011.I think at best the Raptors come out with a prospect like Nick Young but Washington seems to covet him and aren't likely to let him go. Washington and Toronto just don't seem like very good trade partners. The Wizards don't want to be giving up value along with Arenas unless they something goes awfully wrong this season and they get desperate, but they may feel a contender (Orlando?) would take Arenas without having to give up extra value.

 

How does that make any sense for Toronto, considering the fact that they are likely to have the more valuable pick? They would be taking on the albatross contract, they would be taking on the circus that Arenas brings, etc...

 

There would be absolutely no way that the Raptors would move down in the draft to acquire Arenas. Colangelo makes some desperate moves, but even he isn't going to make a move that ridiculous. Only way a scenario like that plays out is if the Raptors and Wizards swap picks, but it is the Heat's pick that the Raptors are swapping, not their own.

 

I agree that Washington and Toronto aren't very good trade partners, but can you name me a single team in the league that is a good trading partner for the Wizards trying to dump Arenas? I sure can't.

 

As for Orlando, that ship has sailed if you ask me. It makes no sense for them to trade Carter for Arenas considering as inconsistent and lazy as Carter can be, he is still the better player than Arenas, is an expiring deal and doesn't bring the baggage that Arenas does. Unless they are dumping Lewis' absurd deal, trading for Arenas makes no sense for the Magic. The only reason why they've been mentioned is because of Otis Smith's friendship with Arenas, but he is smart enough to look past that friendship to realize Arenas is not the answer.

 

HIGHLY doubt we trade any draft picks for Arenas. Ted Leonsis wants to build through the draft and values every pick we have, if anything he would be looking for picks in return.

 

Right, because Washington will be getting legitimate assets in return for Arenas. Let alone picks from a probably 28-30th place team.

 

There will come a point in time when Arenas does yet another bone headed decision and the Wizards will finally come to terms with the fact that he is a detriment to the team and not somebody that they want around John Wall while he is at an impressionable point in his career. When this time comes, they are going to do whatever they can to get somebody to bite on Arenas and that may result in them giving up picks or something to make it worthwhile for a team to take on the headaches that Arenas brings to the table.

[The Lone Granger]

There is no way that the Raptors would be willing to give up a pick at all for Arenas. First, he has a big contract, and hasn't proven to stay healthy or stay out of trouble. Maybe a deal like Jose Calderon or Jarrett Jack and a couple second rounders would be all they offer, and rightfully so. There is no way that the Wizards are going to be able to just ship Arenas out for good pieces. He may still be a very good player, but his past leaves it very difficult for teams to really go all-in for him. Toronto does need some kind of "star" player, but I don't think they should go after a guy like Arenas. Personally, I think their roster is fairly good. Stick with it, and see if Bargnani, DeRozan, and Ed Davis can step up.

[headliner]

The idea that the Raptors would trade their trade exceptions for a player like Arenas is ludicrous to me. Considering the drama that is Arenas most teams are not willing to take on that headache. Raptors will be looking for the right deal because if the league has a lock out there will be some teams looking to dump salary and teams like the Raptors and maybe the Cavs will be willing to take on salary as long as it’s the right deal for their team.

[Dash]

How does that make any sense for Toronto, considering the fact that they are likely to have the more valuable pick? They would be taking on the albatross contract, they would be taking on the circus that Arenas brings, etc...

 

There would be absolutely no way that the Raptors would move down in the draft to acquire Arenas. Colangelo makes some desperate moves, but even he isn't going to make a move that ridiculous. Only way a scenario like that plays out is if the Raptors and Wizards swap picks, but it is the Heat's pick that the Raptors are swapping, not their own.

 

Disagree Toronto with Gilbert Arenas would easily be above Washington in the standings. The Wizards have been dreadful and the one game Wall and Arenas played together, they were blown out by 20 points by the New York Knicks. I wouldn't worry to much about Toronto finishing below Washington and the Raptors would have the option to swap picks. Anyways its still a subpar trade for you guys, I was just fishing there but clearly nothing works out well for either side.

 

I agree that Washington and Toronto aren't very good trade partners, but can you name me a single team in the league that is a good trading partner for the Wizards trying to dump Arenas? I sure can't.

 

I can't think of any specific team but if the Wizards front office play the waiting game till the trade deadline, they might just hook mid-card or contending team that might want to take on Arenas so they can jump ahead of the competition.

 

As for Orlando, that ship has sailed if you ask me. It makes no sense for them to trade Carter for Arenas considering as inconsistent and lazy as Carter can be, he is still the better player than Arenas, is an expiring deal and doesn't bring the baggage that Arenas does. Unless they are dumping Lewis' absurd deal, trading for Arenas makes no sense for the Magic. The only reason why they've been mentioned is because of Otis Smith's friendship with Arenas, but he is smart enough to look past that friendship to realize Arenas is not the answer.

 

I disagree again, the Heat game showed that the Magic need another perimeter threat that doesn't live and die by the three ball. Gilbert can create his own shot and isn't as soft as pudding like Vince Carter (albeit he's more injury prone), he could actually be a big help to Orlando if he were to stay healthy and allow Dwight Howard to be the #1 option. The problem is matching his atrocious salary and that may end up being the deal breaker.

 

Personally I think the moment any team shows interest in Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards should do whatever they can to get a deal done as long as they keep their picks and most of their core.

[Built Ford Tough]

Disagree Toronto with Gilbert Arenas would easily be above Washington in the standings. The Wizards have been dreadful and the one game Wall and Arenas played together, they were blown out by 20 points by the New York Knicks. I wouldn't worry to much about Toronto finishing below Washington and the Raptors would have the option to swap picks. Anyways its still a subpar trade for you guys, I was just fishing there but clearly nothing works out well for either side.

 

Toronto with Arenas would be the exact same team that they are now, just subtract Calderon from the roster. The Reason I say this is because Arenas will be in the lineup for, what, 10-20 games before he gets injured or does something stupid.

 

The only reason why Toronto has even been in games this season is because they are a hard working team that gets contributions for everybody and outworks their opponent night in and night out, how often do you really think that is going to last? They aren't going to be outrebounding teams like the Lakers by 17 or whatever they did last night. They aren't going to be getting a consistent and efficient 24 points a night from Andrea Bargnani. They aren't going to continuously hold their opponent under 100 points for the majority of their games either. This team is eventually going to come back down to earth because at the end of the day, hard work only gets you so far and a lack of talent will overshine that hard work,

 

Arenas doesn't really do much to change that either. Sure, he will score 20 points a night but it will be on terrible percentages, he will play no defense and he will make players around him less effective. Add in the injury concerns and the fact that he is more likely to miss a 20 games than play in 20 games, and it makes no sense for Toronto to trade for him without getting some sort of compensation for taking on his albatross contract.

 

I can't think of any specific team but if the Wizards front office play the waiting game till the trade deadline, they might just hook mid-card or contending team that might want to take on Arenas so they can jump ahead of the competition.

 

The problem with that is I really think Arenas' reputation around the league is absolutely shot because of his past. I could obviously be wrong about this and somebody will probably be willing to overlook his past if he plays great until the deadline, but I think all of his injury problems, his crazy antics and his contract has basically made teams take a double take when thinking about trading for him.

 

I disagree again, the Heat game showed that the Magic need another perimeter threat that doesn't live and die by the three ball. Gilbert can create his own shot and isn't as soft as pudding like Vince Carter (albeit he's more injury prone), he could actually be a big help to Orlando if he were to stay healthy and allow Dwight Howard to be the #1 option. The problem is matching his atrocious salary and that may end up being the deal breaker.

 

Personally I think the moment any team shows interest in Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards should do whatever they can to get a deal done as long as they keep their picks and most of their core.

 

And Arenas is supposed to be this perimeter threat who doesn't live and die by the three ball? His game is even more dependent on jump shots than Carter's is. At least Carter has the ability (albeit once every handful of games) to dominate because of his ability to get into the lane and create plays. I honestly don't think Arenas has that ability anymore. Arenas is just as soft as Carter is, as well. I don't see how that is very arguable.

 

I finally agree with something that you've said in this thread, though. The moment anybody shows the slightest interest in Arenas, Washington should be all over it.

 

However, it goes back to my original point which is that I don't see any teams actually being interested in giving up real assets in order to get him, especially considering the uncertainty with the CBA. A team like Toronto would want draft picks because Arenas isn't nearly enough to put them over the top, or probably into the playoffs, so they would want something worthwhile for the future while crippling them financially. A team like Orlando probably wouldn't want to give up a huge expiring deal like Carter has with the uncertainty around the CBA.

 

Bottom line is that I don't see Washington moving Arenas without making it worthwhile for another team by adding extra incentives. Teams know that Washington has no leverage as they desperately want to move him (and they clearly do) so they are going to squeeze them for extra assets and sure as hell won't be giving up assets of their own.

Edited November 6, 2010 by Built Ford Tough

[Check my Stats]

I am pretty sure the Raptors are committed to a rebuild. Didn't read posts in btw.