lingzi
Age: 34
Joined: 30 Dec 2012
Posts: 105
Location: 南极洲
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When Bryan Colangelo sent the teams top-scoring sixth man, Leandro Barbosa, to the Indiana Pacers for a second-round pick, he was giddy about the financial flexibility he had just provided his team with. Russell Wilson Authentic Jersey . All of a sudden Barbosas entire 2011-12 salary ($7.6-million) was eradicated from the teams ledger, affording them just a hair under $12-million in immediate cap space. Now, obviously the Raptors cannot use any cap space on an upcoming free agent until July, but as Colangelo has repeated again and again since Barbosa was shipped off, the space can be used in a lopsided trade anytime between now and July 1st so long as the team the Raptors are dealing with is no longer playing in the NBA Playoffs. In other words, the Raptors can use their space to absorb any player in a trade so long as the incoming salary doesnt put them more than $100, 000 over the cap. The Raptors can also add their own players to the mix and increase the amount they can bring back in a trade. For instance, lets peg the cap space at $12-million, which would allow them to bring in $12.1-million in a trade without sending back any salary whatsoever. Now, lets say that they want a more expensive player in return, they could add Amir Johnsons salary to the mix (assuming the other side wants Johnson in return) and all of a sudden a $12.1-million window becomes a $17.6-million window. There are all sorts of little niggles and rules, but in very broad strokes this is the situation the Raptors are looking at before July 1st when all sorts of new wrinkles enter the equation. However, it stands to reason that Colangelos ceaseless efforts to remind the world that he has this option available to him suggest he is seriously engaged in trying to make use of it, which then begs the obvious question: On whom? There is no greater need for the Raptors right now than on the wing at the starting small forward spot, so thats as good a place as any to look because there are several high-priced small forwards that Colangelo may be able to engineer a trade for. If he can land one of the better ones before free agency he could also do wonders to make his roster look more attractive to free agents, while also demonstrating an ability to acquire the pieces necessary to advance Torontos fortunes. Here is a look at the candidates for a move to Toronto, along with the viability of each guy getting acquired. JOSH SMITH ($12.4-million) The Atlanta Hawks are stuck in mud as a franchise and Smiths expiring deal is one of the clubs most tradeable assets. Hed immediately bring the kind of versatile defensive force that would have Dwane Casey salivating on the sidelines. He can guard multiple positions, while wreaking havoc with steals and blocks and would afford Casey options when designing various mid-game lineups. The problem is that Smith is a wild card on offense, and Atlantas unsettled ownership situation may keep the team from making any big trades at all, despite the clubs leveling-off in recent years. There is also the fact that the club would probably demand more in return for Smith than the Raptors would be willing to offer. Viability: Low DANNY GRANGER ($12-million) Paul George is Indianas small forward of the future, and with guys like Eric Gordon and O.J. Mayo in their sights in free agency, Granger could finally be moved on after years of trade speculation. Hed be a killer offensive upgrade on the wing for Colangelo and he is a more than passable defender when engaged. Working against Toronto, though, is the fact that Indiana doesnt need to move Granger to free up cap space to make a big move this summer. They actually have more space to play with than Toronto does (although they have to worry about re-signing Roy Hibbert and George Hill). Also, Indiana would probably want to be certain that they could secure the services of an offensive force like Gordon before they pulled the trigger on a move involving their teams high scorer. The risk of backsliding after a stellar season might prove too great to warrant putting Granger on the market in 2012. However, if the Pacers decided now is the time to move him, Colangelo is in a good position to package compelling assets to push a deal through, especially since he has a solid trading history with the organization. This is one to keep an eye on. Viability: Medium TAYSHAUN PRINCE ($6.3-million) Prince is an intriguing and often overlooked option for Toronto this spring. The Pistons are in a full-on rebuilding mode and Prince is a vestige of an era gone by. While hes still a perfectly capable player and a standout defensive option, Detroit is a lottery team that is pushing up against the salary cap and is going to have to make some salary-conscious moves this summer. While theyd love to keep Prince around as a mentor, they may not be able to afford that luxury when they have a well-compensated Jonas Jerebko sitting behind him on the depth chart. He wouldnt be Colangelos first choice, but hed be worth pursuing if other options fell through. Viability: Medium RUDY GAY ($15-million) The Grizzlies were at their best last season in the playoffs, ramming the ball down opposing teams throats with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. This spring Rudy Gay was supposed to diversify their attack and instead he looked totally lost playing his finesse game on Memphis blue collar team. Is that enough to get him onto the trading block? It might be, considering his astronomical salary and the teams history of frugality. However, Memphis still hasnt had a whole season with their core fully healthy, and one has to imagine they would want a solid look before they break it up. Viability: Very Low ANDRE IGUODALA ($13.5-million) Here he is, the guy every Raptors fan looks at with a possessive hunger, as he should have been theirs from the get-go. Unlike the ever-improving Pacers with Danny Granger, Philadelphia looks to have reached a plateau with Iguodala in toe. Not to mention, with Evan Turners role growing, Iguodalas place on the roster looks more and more tenuous. The Sixers are facing free agency for high-scorer Lou Williams and starting center Spencer Hawes, so freeing up some cash might be appealing to management, too. His tenacious defense is something Toronto would love to import, and his strong passing and newfound three-point shot (.394 this year) make him an ideal fit. He might cost Toronto an asset like their draft pick or DeMar DeRozan, but if Colangelo feels like he has Iguodala in his grasp hell have a hard time letting go. However, If Philly is patient then theyll watch Elton Brands $18-million contract come off of the books next summer, which might temper their desire to salary-dump Iguodala this year. Also, Philly was a top-three defensive efficiency team this season and a lot of that had to do with Iguodala. Lose him and the team may not only lose its identity but also their grip on a bottom-four playoff finish. That said, if Toronto offered DeRozan, Ed Davis and the right to swap picks (Torontos 8th, top-three protected for Phillys 15th) for Iguodala and Nikola Vucevic, it would be pretty hard for Philly to hang up the phone. Viability: Medium-High Seattle Seahawks Hats . Kevin Seraphin had 21 points and 13 rebounds, John Wall scored 16 points, and the Wizards beat the short-handed Bulls 87-84 on Monday night. Brandon Mebane Womens Jersey . Clevenger did not appeal the penalty and was set to sit out Saturday night at Pittsburgh. "I fully accept it," Clevenger said. "Major League Baseball stepped in and Im accepting their punishment for it. http://www.shopnflseahawksgears.com/nike-leon-washington-pink-jersey/ . The Portuguese, however, almost let victory escape their grasp as Cristiano Ronaldo squandered two chances that could have put the result beyond doubt in another miserable international game. Russell Wilson Youth Jersey . He was practicing the thing he needs to improve upon most. The linebacker from Arizona State didnt get selected in the NFL draft last month in large part because of the way he plays. Marshawn Lynch Pink Jersey . 1 Novak Djokovic and former champion and four-time runner-up Roger Federer were among Sundays fourth-round winners at the French Open. MILWAUKEE -- Left for dead in the playoff race a month ago, the Milwaukee Brewers inched closer to a wild card spot after sweeping the Atlanta Braves, a scenario that had backup first baseman Travis Ishikawa searching to explain the teams recent surge. Ishikawa, subbing for the injured Corey Hart, blasted a bases-clearing double in Milwaukees eight-run fifth inning, coming after a three-run home run by Rickie Weeks earlier in the frame, and the Brewers beat the Braves 8-2 Wednesday night. "I felt like we had dug a hole pretty deep that we werent going to be able to get out of," Ishikawa said. "That just shows you the character of this team. As far out as weve been and as bad as we played earlier this year, we just found a way to play the ball we knew we were capable of playing. Weve got a little ways to go, but its definitely going to be a fun few weeks." The victory was the Brewers ninth in a row at Miller Park and 18th in the past 23 games overall. Milwaukee (72-71) climbed above .500 for the first time since it was 4-3 on April 12. The Brewers moved within three games of St. Louis for the second NL wild card. Despite the loss, the Braves continue to have a strong hold on the top wild card position. Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo also connected for a run-scoring double in the game-turning inning, during which the Brewers sent 13 batters to the plate while collecting eight hits and two walks. Milwaukee trailed 2-0 entering the frame. Gallardo (15- pitched seven strong innings in his majors-leading 24th quality start of the season. He gave up two runs on only four hits while walking three and striking out six. Relievers Jose Veras and Kameron Loe combined to shut out the Braves over the final two innings. "Its pretty exciting in here right now, for all of us," Gallardo said. "Weve just got to keep it up. Thats a tough team on the other side and being able to win all three games is huge." Brewers manager Ron Roenicke credited Gallardo for overcoming early control issues. "At the beginning the command was a little off. Then he gets it going again and starts getting in a rhythm," Roenicke said. "He threw some great curveballs today." Atlanta starter Paul Maholm (12-10) held the Brewers scoreless through four innings before running into major trouble in the fifth. Maholm gave up nine hits, eight runs -- six earned -- in 4 1-3 innings. He walked two batters and struck out a pair. Maholm entered the game 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA in two prior starts against the Brewers this season. "I cant say I like this place. Im kind of glad to be out of here and not coming back this year. Theyve got a good lineup. Obviously, they know me and I know them," Maholm said. Russell Okung Jersey. Roenicke struggled to explain the Brewers success this season against Maholm. "We didnt do much until that (fifth) inning. Why we didnt do anything and all of a sudden we bust out, I dont really know," he said. Weeks connected for his 18th home run of the season to spark the fifth-inning outburst, giving the Brewers a 3-2 lead. Weeks, who began the season in a horrendous slump, has been on an torrid streak at the plate. "Hes been good for a long time now and this stretch has been really good and at a time when we really need him," Roenicke said. Following Weeks blast, Milwaukee added five more runs in the inning, three on a double by Ishikawa. "Coreys been doing a tremendous job over there. Hes definitely a guy you cant replace," Ishikawa said. "Im doing everything I can in my own capabilities to hold my own over there and just pray that he gets back healthy and quickly." Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez thought the Braves were poised for a victory after the team jumped out to a quick 2-0. "Early in the game, we made some great defensive plays. Guys were bouncing everywhere and got a couple of quick runs and I thought, OK, here we go," Gonzalez said. "But its hard to win ball games when we score three runs in three games and we give up a bunch." The Brewers are having success in all phases of the game, which has allowed the team to climb into the playoff hunt, he added. "In the second half of the season, theyre one of the hottest teams in the National League. Theyre playing good, theyre pitching good, putting the ball in play when they have to," Gonzalez said. Jason Heyward got the Braves on the board in the first inning when he hit a two-out, solo home run. The Braves added a run in the fourth. NOTES: Brewers CF Carlos Gomez left the game in the second inning with a lower quad contusion. Hes day-to-day, according to team officials. .The Brewers presented Chipper Jones with a Weber gas grill and a years supply of Klements sausages in an on-field ceremony prior to the game to mark the retirement of the Braves third baseman. Jones, who played his 42nd and final game against the Brewers on Wednesday, announced earlier this year his plan to retire at the end of his 18th full season in the majors, all of them with Atlanta. Jones got a loud standing ovation and tipped his cap to the crowd in his final at-bat in the ninth inning. ... Brewers 1B Hart took batting practice but sat out Wednesdays game as he continues to struggle with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Team officials said Hart, who hasnt played since Sunday, is questionable for the teams next game on Friday at home. ' ' '
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