Hornets trade Peja and Bayless to Raptors for Jack, Andersen and Banks!

[Rose]

Hollinger says it saved them about a million. So it could have saved them realistically anywhere between nothing and a billion dollars. So I guess it does benefit them for the tax. Jack's an alright floor spacer, and Anderson supposedly shoots well from midrange which fits into what they do with the CP3 pick and roll. So I guess it isn't terrible, but they could have gotten far far more.

[bdreason]

And how about Marcus Thornton? Is he hurt of just in the doghouse? This guy showed more at the end of last year than Bayless ever has... get him some PT.

[Vince15]

actually excited to see anderson get some pplaying time at NO

[VishaltotheG]

So what's the depth charts for the Hornets and Raptors now?

[bokes15]

You couldn't have conjured up a more pointless, nonsensical trade if you were toying around with random players on ESPN Trade Machine. Aside from the financial aspect of this it's a wash.

Peja, despite his reoccurring health issues, is still a threat from the perimeter. He's slowed way down which has had its obvious adverse affects on his defense but he's one of the purest shooters in the league and NOH gives him up like he's nothing. If they go deep in the playoffs they're going to regret letting him go.

NOH acquires Bayless... only to dish him off to Toronto weeks later? Does this kid have an attitude problem that we aren't aware of? His upside is HUGE and I was shocked that Portland even gave him up. He's going to be starting for a team by 2012.

Getting Jack is decent... but still, why? Because Paul wanted one of his pals on the team?

The Hornets are messing with a team that clearly is firing on all cylinders and ready to contend. Instead of taking on players of this ilk they should use their resources to snag a solid veteran at the trade deadline. Maybe a Michael Redd or someone along those lines.

The reports are that Peja was unhappy about losing his starting spot to Bellinelli. That's why they got rid of him because they felt they had an adequate replacement and he was no longer in their long term plans.

[Rose]

And how about Marcus Thornton? Is he hurt of just in the doghouse? This guy showed more at the end of last year than Bayless ever has... get him some PT.

Monty isn't playing him much because he's disappointed in Marcus' defense. Which I can understand seeing as NO is winning mostly because of their D

[A Roc 23]

Jarrett Jack is an awesome back up.

But anyone who watches the Raptors this year knows he's been chucking. That's what being a veteran on a young rebuilding team will do for you. He'll make a nice back up on a contender if his three point shot starts falling like it did last year.

Jack has been killing the offensive flow. Calderon is not a good player and he does hold the ball too much, but he takes slightly less bad jump shots and a lot less random blind drives to the basket.

I like what the Raptors are doing. Stockpile young guys, hope some turn out, draft high, and then fill in the holes with veterans. No point holding on to a 5.5 million dollar back up veteran point guard if you can get a young guy for him.

Check out the roster now:

Bigs:
Amir - 23
Alabi - 22
Bargnani - 25
Ed Davis - 21

Forwards:
Kleiza - 25
J. Wright - 23

Swings:
Weems - 24
DeMar - 21

Guards:
Bayless - 22

Add a lottery pick + Miami's late 1st and you've got some young guys to work with. Not to mention the Raptors have a big TPE (12-15 million depending on how the trade works out), and 25 million in expendable expiring contracts. Imagine if they took on a contract like Baron Davis' to get another top 5 pick!

[magnax1]

I thought they could get better then that for a 15 million expirer. Good trade for NO, but how much is Jack even going to play?

[AKADS]

Add a lottery pick + Miami's late 1st and you've got some young guys to work with. Not to mention the Raptors have a big TPE (12-15 million depending on how the trade works out), and 25 million in expendable expiring contracts. Imagine if they took on a contract like Baron Davis' to get another top 5 pick!

Donald Sterling has never traded a first round pick since he has owned the Clippers don't see him doing it now.

Problem with the Raptors young talent is they are all role players and anyone not on their rookie contract is over paid.

[A Roc 23]

Donald Sterling has never traded a first round pick since he has owned the Clippers don't see him doing it now.

Problem with the Raptors young talent is they are all role players and anyone not on their rookie contract is over paid.

Yeah it's a dream scenario (for a fan who doesn't have to pay Baron's salary). Realistically you can't have Bayless, Baron, Calderon, AND Kyrie Irving or Brandon Knight. It's just too much even if you're doing it to get the pick.

And on the other part, meh.

- Bargnani makes 10 million on average, which isn't great but isn't terrible.
- Amir makes 5.5 million on average (before incentives), which is overpaid but not crippling for an awesome bench big.
- Kleiza makes 4.5 million on average. Once again it's a decent deal in my opinion.

That's it really. All okay contracts that should be a little lower. The only BAD contract is Calderon, who makes 10 million instead of the 3-4 million he deserves.

Other contracts:

Barbosa - 7.5 million next year if he opts in. He has a player option. If he opts in it's a bad deal, and this is very likely. Even with the opt in he's an expirer next year.
Peja - expirer
Reggie - expirer
J. Wright - expirer
Bayless - 3 million
DeRozan - 3 million
E. Davis - 2.5 million
Weems - 850 thousand
Dorsey - 850 thousand
Alabi - 750 thousand

So really Calderon is their only bad contract past next year, and Barbosa is their only bad contract past this year. Then Bargnani, Amir and Kleiza are slightly overpaid, but all 25 and young and no health issues. You could argue Bargnani is worth his contract. Same with Kleiza and Amir.

[no pun intended]

Steve Nash says hi.

[Kujo]

This trade makes the Hornets a better team. Jack is waaaaaaaaaaaay better than Bayless, who hardly played. Hornets now have a solid backup PG. Anderson is a serviceable big. Peja sucks now.

I guess this is clearly a cap saving move by the Raptors. It's the only thing that makes sense. This makes us worse, and a better chance at securing a top lottery pick.

[AJ2k8]

Wow read this last night but for some reason thought it was a rumor

Anyway i'm glad to see David Anderson outta Toronto and kinda surprised to see Bayless on his way to Toronto.

[Qwyjibo]

Steve Nash says hi.

Bryan Colangelo will wait until Nash is 41 to trade for him or sign him. He generally waits until veterans are completely over the hill.

I don't trust these huge expiring deals, the TPE and high draft picks in the hands of Colangelo. Little good will come of this as long as he is still the GM of the Raptors.

[LosBulls]

You guys don't understand. They want to resign West and go after a good SF in free agency while they get a candidate for 6th Man of the year to work behind CP3.