Delfino for Amir? lol

:stein:


ESPN.com sources say Raptors working hard to move Delfino in a sign-and-trade. http://bit.ly/12gSh1

Hard to believe that Delfino is only 26 years old.

So long, Carlos and Roko

Just when you thought it was safe to think the Raptors were done, they’re not.

Details are a bit sketchy at the moment, but according to league sources, they are about to finalize a trade that could send swingman Carlos Delfino and point guard Roko Ukic in a two-for-two deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Young big man Amir Johnson is headed to Toronto but the other component of the deal remains unknown. It's unclear when the deal will be official but it could be done as early as today or tomorrow.

The financial aspect of the deal will be felt at the end of next season.

Johnson has just one year and $3,666,667 left on his contract while Ukic had an option for $1,450,000 in the 2010-11 season.

And with the expectations that the salary cap and luxury tax thresholds will drop next season, any long-term savings will help keep some kind of financial flexibility for president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

But giving up on Ukic is a gamble, even for a Toronto team with a surfeit of point guards.

The 24-year-old struggled at times in his rookie season but at 6-foot-5 and with the ability to break down defences, his skillset could see him eventually thrive in the NBA.


STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR
Roki Ukic and all his potential are off to Milwaukee.

However, with Jose Calderon and the recently-acquired Jarrett Jack cemented as the top two point guards on the roster and Quincy Douby seemingly able to handle third string duties if necessary, Ukic did become expendable.

Delfino spent last season with Khimki in the Russian league after a year with Toronto and three with the Detroit Pistons.

The Raptors originally had major interest in bringing him back but the acquisition of free agent Hedo Turkoglu, the drafting of DeMar DeRozan, the acquisition of Marco Belinelli and the arrival of Jack made Delfino redundant.

Johnson? Well, he’s big, 6-9 and 210 pounds; raw and really hasn’t done much in the four years he’s kicked around the league. But with some playing time available on a front court rotation that will be dominated by Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, Rasho Nesterovic and Reggie Evans, he might get a chance to contribute – or at least push Patrick O’Bryant for those five-big minutes.

What else does it mean?

Well, Toronto now has two roster spots to fill and who knows if they’ll come to terms with fan favourite Pops Mensah-Bonsu. But, it can be said that Johnson will be the fifth big and is at least as good, if not better, that Pops so Bryan could very well go looking for another backup small forward – still a hole in the roster that has to be filled – with someone who can shoot from range.

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/2009/08/so-long-carlos-and-roko.html

So Amir was penciled in as the starter at PF in Milwaukee as of two weeks ago. They get Warrick and bam, he's off to Canada as the #5 big.

I bet he's thrilled.

Amir could be out of the league pretty fast, good deal for Waukee

:stein:


RAPS & BUCKS have a four-player deal. Laid out here at the following ESPN.com link http://bit.ly/12gSh1

So Amir was penciled in as the starter at PF in Milwaukee as of two weeks ago. They get Warrick and bam, he's off to Canada as the #5 big.

I bet he's thrilled.


Couldn't find the Amir trade thread (maybe it wasn't in a separate thread). What did Hammond say again when he traded for him?

http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15222

Hmm, didn't see his comments anywhere in there. I did find these comments by him though:


"At just 22 years of age, he has four years of NBA experience," said Bucks general manager John Hammond, who was the Pistons vice president of basketball in 2005 when the Pistons drafted Johnson. "He brings to the table some of what we don't have on our roster right now -- he rebounds and finishes above the rim and he is an excellent shot-blocker."

"I think this will be a great situation for Amir," said Bill Duffy, Johnson's agent. "(Milwaukee Bucks GM) John Hammond really pushed for him, which is something we talked to Amir about. He's going to a team that really wants him.
Duffy said Johnson will benefit from a fresh start in Milwaukee as well as a familiar face in Hammond, who is a former vice president of basketball operations in Detroit.
"John knows him and believes in him, that's why he pursued him," Duffy said. "John has confidence in him, and for a young player such as Amir, that's important. It's amazing what a little confidence can do for a young player."

Warrick just does it better.

or delfino is just THAT desirable.

or delfino is just THAT desirable.

Roki was the key to that deal me thinks.

actually i think BOREDOM was the key to that deal. still several weeks from training camp....nothing better to do....let's make a deal!

actually i think BOREDOM was the key to that deal. still several weeks from training camp....nothing better to do....let's make a deal!

Agreed. Hammond hadn't given up on anybody for about a week. He had the itch.

Agreed. Hammond hadn't given up on anybody for about a week. He had the itch.

Glan es en fuego.

I'm just not given a reason to care enough about this deal. Curry made both Delfino and Johnson into starters when they were medium bench guys all along, which is good enough for the All-Star Team in Milwaukee.

I'm just not given a reason to care enough about this deal. Curry made both Delfino and Johnson into starters when they were medium bench guys all along, which is good enough for the All-Star Team in Milwaukee.

I'm not following your Curry/Delfino take.

Welcome to the site.

I'm not following your Curry/Delfino take.

Welcome to the site.


We've been waiting for you.

I'm just not given a reason to care enough about this deal. Curry made both Delfino and Johnson into starters when they were medium bench guys all along, which is good enough for the All-Star Team in Milwaukee.
So Curry was simultaneously the coach for the Pistons and the Russian team that Delfino played for?

NOW it all makes sense...

So much for being diplomatic, lol