@movernie
Before the 4-team player trade yesterday, Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo had ongoing conversations with the Indiana Pacers regarding a trade involving Jose Calderon. BC would like to have a package of players including Centre Roy Hibbert. However, Pacers were only offering Mike Dunleavy Jr. or TJ Ford. Both players weren’t that attract or making sense for the Raptors. Instead, Pacers took a quick bite at acquiring a young and emerging PG in Darren Collison from the New Orleans Hornets.
But that will not stop Bryan Colangelo from actively calling other teams for the service of Jose Calderon.
The latest rumours have Jose Calderon going to the Detroit Pistons for Tayshaun Prince. Prince is in his final year of contract and he seems to be a little redundant in Detroit since the Pistons have the emerging Swedish player and signing T-Mac. The Pistons want a true PG, shifting Rodney Stucky to the SG position.
Another rumour has the Raptors trading Jose Calderon to the Portland Trailblazers for another Spinard, Rudy Fernandez and Jeol Pryzbilla.
This trade also makes sense as Rudy Fernandez is being buried on the Blazers bench and has demanded to be traded elsewhere for more playing time. Also, Joel Pryzbilla is making 7M this season and is the odd man out now that the Blazers have Aldridge, Greg Oden and Marcus Camby playing in the 4 and 5. Raptors have been working hard to find a true centre to play beside Andrea Bargnani. Bryan Colangelo would like Il Mago to focus on scoring and letting a centre such as Pryzbilla doing all the dirty work down low, grabbing rebounds, taking up space and box out the oppoents in the paint. The blocked trade for Tyson Chandler didn’t materialize, so this trade makes sense for the Raptors.
Also, Trailblazers lose guys such as Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw, the guys who shoots 3pters with good %. Jose Calderon could come off the bench, subsituting for Andre Miller. Andre as we know, is a type of player who goes inside often and attack the basket, however, lacking the ability to shoot 3pters in a high%. Jose’s passing and high 3pter abilities would help the Blazers.
I will keep everyone posted if I hear anything updated news from my sources.
