Post by kmatrixg on Nov 23, 2010 18:51:36 GMT -5
Toronto, CA -- Toronto was involved in yet another trade, this time sending starters Tyson Chandler and Tayshaun Prince to Minnesota in exchange for veteran Stephen Jackson and Tito Maddox. Neither Chandler nor Prince were performing up to par this season, both still on rookie contracts.
In 47 games for the Raptors, Chandler averaged under 8 points and just over 8 rebounds a game, while blocking 2.5 shots per game in under 30 minutes per. Prince, who was acquired in the offseason trade that sent Shareef Abdur Rahim to Detroit, struggled all year with his shot, and was an offensive liability nearly every night.
Jackson, in his 5th year as a pro, becomes the most experienced starter on the team, with only 6 years experience combined for the rest of the starters. Jackson will be featured along side Wade in a new look lineup that the coaching staff will test out starting tonight. They are focusing on speed, and scoring from a variety of positions, in what they hope will be a shootout every night.
Jackson is averaging 11 points, 8 rebounds and a steal so far as the starting two-guard for the star studded Timberwolves. Toronto GM Mister Stephens hopes his scoring will increase being the second option on the young Raptors.
"We really hope he can provide that leadership and scoring punch for our young guys to really learn from. Most of our team is still on their rookie contracts, so everyone has a lot to learn still in this league. Whether or not Jackson has interest in returning doesn't really matter. It's a win-win right now. If he stays, we get a relatively cheap veteran starter, and if he goes, we add another 6 million to our cap situation."
Some may question the move as a downgrade, as on paper, the Raptors simply traded Shareef Abdur Rahim and Matt Barnes for Stephen Jackson - that being Prince was the centerpiece in the SAR trade and Barnes in the Chandler deal. Even though the players are gone, the Raptors have picked up 4 extra draft picks in this June's draft, as well as roughly 22 million dollars in cap space for next seasons free agency period.
The trades weren't without adequate reason either. Word is, the Raptors were visited by a lead scout in the NBA who works as freelance throughout the league with different teams.
"The only thing I'll say is that the scout informed us, with a series of personal IQ tests, the Caliper Profile and other varieties of comprehensive analysis, we were able to assess Chandler and Prince would not fit into our future plans." We got what we could for what we didn't see fit."
Rumor has is, this scout was the driving point behind the departure of 10th pick Kendrick Perkins also. Mr. Stephens did not offer a comment on the trade.
The Timberwolves add yet more depth to their conference leading squad, and both Chandler and Prince are expected to have an impact coming off the bench.
In 47 games for the Raptors, Chandler averaged under 8 points and just over 8 rebounds a game, while blocking 2.5 shots per game in under 30 minutes per. Prince, who was acquired in the offseason trade that sent Shareef Abdur Rahim to Detroit, struggled all year with his shot, and was an offensive liability nearly every night.
Jackson, in his 5th year as a pro, becomes the most experienced starter on the team, with only 6 years experience combined for the rest of the starters. Jackson will be featured along side Wade in a new look lineup that the coaching staff will test out starting tonight. They are focusing on speed, and scoring from a variety of positions, in what they hope will be a shootout every night.
Jackson is averaging 11 points, 8 rebounds and a steal so far as the starting two-guard for the star studded Timberwolves. Toronto GM Mister Stephens hopes his scoring will increase being the second option on the young Raptors.
"We really hope he can provide that leadership and scoring punch for our young guys to really learn from. Most of our team is still on their rookie contracts, so everyone has a lot to learn still in this league. Whether or not Jackson has interest in returning doesn't really matter. It's a win-win right now. If he stays, we get a relatively cheap veteran starter, and if he goes, we add another 6 million to our cap situation."
Some may question the move as a downgrade, as on paper, the Raptors simply traded Shareef Abdur Rahim and Matt Barnes for Stephen Jackson - that being Prince was the centerpiece in the SAR trade and Barnes in the Chandler deal. Even though the players are gone, the Raptors have picked up 4 extra draft picks in this June's draft, as well as roughly 22 million dollars in cap space for next seasons free agency period.
The trades weren't without adequate reason either. Word is, the Raptors were visited by a lead scout in the NBA who works as freelance throughout the league with different teams.
"The only thing I'll say is that the scout informed us, with a series of personal IQ tests, the Caliper Profile and other varieties of comprehensive analysis, we were able to assess Chandler and Prince would not fit into our future plans." We got what we could for what we didn't see fit."
Rumor has is, this scout was the driving point behind the departure of 10th pick Kendrick Perkins also. Mr. Stephens did not offer a comment on the trade.
The Timberwolves add yet more depth to their conference leading squad, and both Chandler and Prince are expected to have an impact coming off the bench.
