Team Mao

Looking at the workout schedule, it seems to me that there may be plans to pick up a mid first from somebody. But I'm not sure who we could trade to get that first.

Marcus Williams and Rondo will both be coming back for a second workout next week. Neither of these guys are in contention for the 1 spot. It seems that BC is sold on Bargnani and trading down looks more and more unlikely with Colangelo and everyone else in the organization spending lots of time in Treviso over the past month.

Do you think that Williams' and Rondo's agents would have them come work out for the Raptors twice if the Raptors haven't mentioned some serious plans to get a pick in the 12-15 range? It seems agents are so careful about who their guys work out for these days, that they would need some sort of assurances from the team that they are looking at a pick in that range. Otherwise, their clients are wasting their time and energy, and risking injury, to work out for a team with very little possibility of drafting them.

What could we trade to get a pick in that range? The only guys I can think of would be Joey or Mo. I'd hate to see either guy go, but if management is sold on Rondo or Marcus Williams as our PG, then maybe it's something that needs to be done. I really hope that it's not a trading out of the number 1 spot, because the longer these Italian playoffs go on, the more impressed I am with the numbers that Mago is putting up, and the measurements look great too.

On a side note, it's good to see Bobby Jones in for a second workout next week, but I'm upset that the Raptors haven't had Gansey in for a look. I'm with Lope31 in thinking that he'll be a steal in this draft.

Ballyhoo

There's always that Jermaine rumor, that could net the #17 pick. If the Bulls have their heart set on someone maybe we could get #2 and #16 for #1.

Team Mao

Right now, I'd rather have Bargnani and 10 million+ of capspace than oft-injured O'Neal. Plus, there's no way that Chicago would deal the 2 and 16 for the 1, I just can't see it happening at all.

Ballyhoo

Yeah I agree. I was just tossing out some ideas that didn't involve Mo or Joey.

rainman

toronto has some cap space right, either you go get a pg in fa or you take a bad contract from a team drafting in the late lottery and go draft one of the guys you mentioned. personally i would draft someone not knowing off the top of my head who you could get in the offseason that isnt going to break the bank.

speedythief

One of the fringe benefits of working out a lot of players is that you get to have advance scouting for when you play against them.

I think it's probably the case that Bryan is trying to keep all his bases covered in case something happens between now and the draft.

icehawk

I'd really like to see Ronnie Brewer in a Raptors uniform come next season. He's my sleeper pick.

I don't think we can afford to trade Mo Pete for a mid-first right now. Joey Graham could be expendable but BC seems to really like him despite his subpar rookie season.

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aizn

everyone seems to miss the fact that colangelo said our answer doesn't lie in the draft. he doesn't want us to get any younger or less experienced, so why would we trade mo pete, with 5 years of experience, for ANOTHER young PROSPECT? doesn't make too much sense.

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Humpty Dumpty fell down, that's his hard time.
Jack B. Nimble, what, nimble, and he was quick,
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Now little Bo Peep cold lost her sheep
and Rip van Winkle fell the hell asleep.
And Alice stilled her hunger in Wonderland"

Team Mao

My point is more that the agents are allowing these guys to work out twice for us, knowing that their guys aren't anywhere near the first pick. The agents must know something that noone else does or they're very friendly with Colangelo to allow him to get advance scouting. My guess is the first.

BaLL_HoG

Im not going to lie , if it took us giving up Joey Graham to aquire a lotto pick around #13 or #14 id pull the trigger.

Rondo and Maurice Ager( who I think will be the steal of the first round) are the 2 guys id like to grab if we indeed pick up another first rounder.

Rhubarb

The title of this thread is a little misleading.

I don't think this sort of scouting is in prep for another first rounder, moreso the covering of bases should we decide to trade down.

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"I don't really look at guys and memorize players, but (Bosh) is very impressive. He can shoot, he has an inside game, physical at times, he's pretty good...he's more than holding his own." - Shaq

"I really like him...to me he's already pretty special," Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki said after continually getting beat to the basket by Bosh. "He's going to be a great player in this league."

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ballocks

i'm a little puzzled as well. the thing is, we've always been doing this- i think it's customary around the league. if you're not in the playoffs, all of june is practically devoted to the draft- so you might as well work these players out, even if it means doing it several times over. just keep your options open, regardless of how likely you are to pursue them. that's my take from the team's perspective.

from the player's, they don't have much of a choice. neither do their reps/agents. there are only so many steve francises/gerald greens in this world. for the most part, i understand that these kids are just playing according to their respective schedules, and hardly have the time to be overly selective. and think about it from another point of view: if you're asked to have your client work out for the team holding the #1 pick for the third time, do you really need any 'proof' that they're looking to trade down? maybe you would, but when you consider the consequences (i.e. that choosing not to work out for them would likely cross your player off their list immediately... your player's now in less demand and that could extend beyond just the team in question), you're certain to go with it. i almost see that as common sense. and what would you have to lose, anyway? i guess injuries are always an issue but seriously, in the real world, are they a true concern? is it really that risky (all things considered)? i doubt it, but i don't know. i just think most people would weigh the pros and cons and decide to go with it.

in short, i'm not convinced the raptors are looking only to acquire another first. i think they're doing their due diligence. they're clearly not overlooking any possibilities and, considering the meaning of this summer, are ensuring the important decisions they make will be more done on the basis of good information than hearsay. so i think they're looking at everything- which is a conclusion almost anyone would reach after checking these boards every couple of days and seeing the conflicting reports coming from all sides (1: andrea!, 5-7: trade down, get a point + shelden, move out of the first entirely for jermaine or pau, etc.). all due diligence, imo.

peace

Dee-Zy

I stopped reading half way through the page, but just to remind you guys something, BC said we are young enough as it is, so I don't see him getting two first rounders unless we ship out our 2nd rounders. because that would make us with like 4 rookies, with 3 sophmores and we don't actually have that many spots left on the roster anyways.

Team Mao

I stopped reading your reply after your first sentence states that you didn't bother to read the post but still felt the need to reply.

billfindlay10