Spurs Acquire Matt Bonner And Eric Williams From Toronto For Rasho

[Notorious H.O.P.]

Too bad Bab isn't still there. We could have thrown in Beno and gotten Bosh too.

[texasqb2]

if that is true about the sonics, I'd stay up all night trying to work a package that would work to bring us Rashard Lewis

[RON ARTEST]

I didn't say he's Haslem. I'm saying his defense, if worked on by the Spurs, could be used on Dirk like Haslem's was. Make Dirk work instead of having huge mismatches against smaller and slower players. Put a guy on Dirk who has a chance to match his size.

have you watched the raptors this season? bonner is a horrible defender. he cant guard you or me and you think he can guard dirk in the furture? yeah right.

[Tek_XX]

Is this just a trade to free up money or do the spurs actually think these guys can help?

[exstatic]

I didn't say he's Haslem. I'm saying his defense, if worked on by the Spurs, could be used on Dirk like Haslem's was. Make Dirk work instead of having huge mismatches against smaller and slower players. Put a guy on Dirk who has a chance to match his size.

Not to mention that his shooting range pulls Dirk away from a LOT of rebounds.

[Rescueone]

Sir, hand over the modem.

Nope, It's a wish list. What, you don't think we can land KG?

[Notorious H.O.P.]

Anybody have access to the Chad Ford Insider article, "What were the Raptors thinking?"

[exstatic]

Is this just a trade to free up money or do the spurs actually think these guys can help?

Bonner may actually help, but you never turn down someone who will lighten your cap by $15M and give you a draft pick.

Williams is an ending contract, but as recently as the beginning of the 04-05 season was playing VERY well for NJ until being thrown in to the V.C. trade. He just never seemed to click in TOR.

[strangeweather]

Update: What are Raptors thinking?
posted: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry

The Toronto Raptors have traded Eric Williams and Matt Bonner to the San Antonio Spurs for Rasho Nesterovic, Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo told me Wednesday afternoon. (According to the AP, a 2009 second-round pick and cash were involved as well.)

Will the trade affect their plans for the No. 1 pick in next week's NBA Draft?

Colangelo said not to read anything into the deal. "To be honest," he said, "we're still as wide open as ever. We have a lot of options right now and are just trying to find the best player."

But a month ago Colangelo said the team would try to address its needs at center and point guard via trades and free agency in addition to the draft. And adding a center making more than $7 million per season would seem to quench some of the thirst the Raptors might have had to draft a center.

In other words, it seems to make LaMarcus Aldridge a less likely choice and boost the chances of perimeter players Andrea Bargnani, Adam Morrison and Rudy Gay.

The Raptors worked out Morrison, Gay, Randy Foye and Denham Brown Wednesday, and Colangelo had glowing praise for all.

"It was a very good workout for everyone involved," Colangelo said. "It was by far the most impressive group we've had in. Everyone competed at a really high level. They were all really aggressive. I think we saw a couple of guys who definitely are in the mix for No. 1."

It sounds like the Raptors are still considering five players: Bargnani, Morrison, Gay, Aldridge and Tyrus Thomas, probably in that order.

What about a trade? The Toronto Sun reported this morning that the hot rumor had the Raptors swapping the No. 1 pick and Alvin Williams for Brevin Knight and Charlotte's No. 3 pick.

Not being considered, according to Colangelo.

"We have had some interest in some Bobcats players," Colangelo said, "but we're looking to do something much bigger with the No. 1 pick."

Does that mean a trade is in the works? For weeks it seemed the Raptors were likely to trade the pick. Now, maybe not.

"I'm feeling less and less that it's an option right now," Colangelo said. "The more we zone in on the prospects of the draft, the more I think we're comfortable keeping the pick. There are several players in this draft that could really help us."

• Speaking of Bargnani, his team, Benetton, won the Italian League championship on Tuesday. In the playoffs, Bargnani averaged 12.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg and shot 46 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range.

• It appears that all the concern about J.J. Re 's back injury was overblown. Re 's agent, Arn Tellem, told me that Re 's back was rested and feeling well enough that he'd resume working out for teams.

What happened to the wild Internet report that Re needed back surgery?

"That was totally false," Tellem said. "He just needed rest. His back will be fully healed in three weeks, but it's feeling good enough to give him the green light to work out again."

[exstatic]

if that is true about the sonics, I'd stay up all night trying to work a package that would work to bring us Rashard Lewis

Rashard would be nice if he didn't have a MAX contract. See: Marion, Shawn. There's a reason that Seattle is shopping him. Not very much bang for the buck. The Spurs tend to play the NBA version of "Money Ball", so there are only two chances for this: slim and none.

A Danger sign with him is that his post season number suck ass. His FG% drops from 46% to 41% and his 3G% drops from 38.6% to 30%. You don't want to pay for a choker.

[Kori Ellis]

Rashard would be nice if he didn't have a MAX contract. See: Marion, Shawn. There's a reason that Seattle is shopping him. Not very much bang for the buck. The Spurs tend to play the NBA version of "Money Ball", so there are only two chances for this: slim and none.

Rashard plays no D, rebounds poorly for his size, wants a max contract, and Hill told him that he's only playing up to 65% of his abilities.

[Kori Ellis]

It appears that all the concern about J.J. Re 's back injury was overblown. Re 's agent, Arn Tellem, told me that Re 's back was rested and feeling well enough that he'd resume working out for teams.

What happened to the wild Internet report that Re needed back surgery?

"That was totally false," Tellem said. "He just needed rest. His back will be fully healed in three weeks, but it's feeling good enough to give him the green light to work out again."

Draft Express needs to start being more careful with what they print.

[Big P]

I agree that Rashard would be great on the Spurs...while he is making a lot of money, I dont think its a "max" contract, it may be close, but its not max I'm pretty sure..he made $8.5 last year & will make $9.3, $10.1(player option), & $10.9 over the next 3 years...it is probably a very slim chance that we could get him, but a healthy Rashard Lewis, with Parker, Gino & TD would be sick...I have been hoping for Lewis to be a Spur for a long time.

[exstatic]

Rashard plays no D, rebounds poorly for his size, wants a max contract, and Hill told him that he's only playing up to 65% of his abilities.

I have to agree with that assessment. He used to rebound..before he got paid. His rebounding numbers for the last 6 years: 6.9, 7.0, 6.5, 6.5, 5.5, 5.0. That's an effort slide if ever I saw one.

[timvp]

Matt Bonner
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Matthew Robert Bonner (born April 5, 1980 in Concord, New Hampshire) is a professional basketball player currently with the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA.

Standing 6'10" at 237 lb, Bonner was drafted out of the University of Florida by the Chicago Bulls in the 2nd round of the 2003 NBA Draft and then traded to the Raptors. While playing for the Florida Gators, Bonner amassed 1,570 points 778 rebounds and 165 three pointers and finished his career ranked in the top 10 in six categories. Bonner graduated from Florida with a 3.96 GPA and was named the Verizon Academic All-American of the Year for the sport of basketball in both 2002 and 2003 .

Toronto recognized the future potential in Bonner but did not have a roster position available. Bonner was asked to spend a year in Europe honing his skills with a verbal promise to give him a shot at making the team in 2004.

After siging with Sicilia of the Italian league based in Messina Sicily, 2003 proved to be a harrowing year for Bonner. Bonner survived a 104.5 degree Fahrenheit temperature brought on by a bout of salmonella (treated by the team dentist) most likely caused by a lack of running hot water in his apartment. Sicilia had filed for bankruptcy in the middle of the season and had stopped paying its players. Bonner's heat and electricity were shut off and he was given two eviction notices. Despite half the team leaving, Bonner stuck it out and finished the year averaging 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds.

Bonner signed with the Raptors during the 2004-05 NBA season, averaging 7.2 points per game whilst playing all 82 contests. Matt received the nickname "Red Rocket" during the same season in which he was constantly sighted on the public transit in Toronto, the TTC, whose streetcars are red and slogan is 'Ride the Rocket'.

Matt Bonner's first prominent moment as a Raptor occurred on December of 2004 during an exciting game at the Air Canada Centre. Extending for a rebound, he knocked all-star Kevin Garnett from behind, sending him sprawling to the ground prompting the two players to get into a heated exchange. The crowd chanted "Bonner, Bonner" as he was ejected from the game. This immediately established Matt as a fan favorite, and the website www.mattbonner.org saw Raptors fans rallying behind Bonner.

Sounds like Spurs material. Smart. Had to do his time in the minor leagues. Wasn't expected to do much in the NBA.

Should fit right in.

[picnroll]

Pop sure likes to surround himself with high IQ guys. Sometimes I wonder if his main priority is having intelligent guys around to talk to.

[Kori Ellis]

Pop sure likes to surround himself with high IQ guys. Sometimes I wonder if his main priority is having intelligent guys around to talk to.

[angel_luv]

Angel_luv... don't do anything harsh... If the forum lost you it would be worse than the Spurs loosing Rasho.

Thanks. I won't. I went to church for some hope and found some.

[Pistons < Spurs]

WOW.

I heard this while at work today and was very suprised.

I'm still not sure if I truly like the deal, but I do think something had to be done. I like what the deal means from a financial standpoint. I just don't know how much better it makes the team.

I've always felt that Rasho could be alot better than what he showed in San Antonio. I always felt that he needed to play more minutes.

In his 3 years in SA he continuously lost minutes each year.

2003:28.7
2004:25.5
2005:19.0

I beleive he needed closer to 30-32 minutes per. I also believe POP need to attempt to run some plays for him to become involved in the offensive scheme.

I never liked the whole distribution of minutes between the bigs. I want a legit starter. Not 3 guys that asverage 18.5 apiece.

My fear is that Bonner will fall into that same role getting 20 minutes a game.

I like Bonner. I like his energy. I like his heart. I think he can and will bring an at ude that the Spur frontcourt has been lacking. I'd like to see a little fire in someones eyes.

I just don't think he's the answer. He's not the fix. He'll be a good role player. I picture him being something like a mix between Haslem and Junk Yard Dog ... with an outside shooting touch ... but not quite as good as either.

Williams is nothing more than a piece to be traded at a later time.

I wonder if there are more moves to be done. I wonder if Nazr stays. If not, does he start? Does Bonner start? How much will Oberto and Horry's PT eat into Bonners time?

I'm also happy for Rasho. He should get more minutes now. I think his play and numbers will see a decent improvement. Toronto is a good place for him. He'll be alongside some atletic big guys who will get him some easy buckets.

IMO Rasho will be more of a 12 & 8 kind of guy up there, and Spur fans around the world will be asking why he couldn't do that while in San Antonio.

[yavozerb]

Williams will be thrown in with nazr during a sign and trade...I am not sure if this would work but what about those two for chandler (not to crazy about his contract though)

[Kori Ellis]

Williams will be thrown in with nazr during a sign and trade...I am not sure if this would work but what about those two for chandler (not to crazy about his contract though)

I believe Williams can't be traded in conjunction with other players for 2 months.

[RashoFan]

Sorry Angel and RashoFan.

I feel for you guys but I have to say I'm personally relieved.

Thanks Budkin, I know it is a business thing and I will have to move to Toronto now ...Angel, you are coming with me...

[gameFACE]

One down, two (Barry and Nazr) to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give me Luol Deng, Tim Thomas, Jared Jeffries, or give me death beyotch!

Nazr is an unrestricted free agent. There is no Nazr to get rid of. Technically he's gone.

Williams doesn't make the team any younger. We have enough veteran leadership in tim, Bruce, Finley and Horry. Maybe he can be traded for a younger SF to a young team needing a veteran player. Atlanta? Sucks about that two month time frame, though.

[Slinkyman]

I believe Williams can't be traded in conjunction with other players for 2 months.

what about a player's rights?

[Kori Ellis]

what about a player's rights?

Are you asking if they could trade Williams plus Scola's rights?

I would guess they could but I'm not an expert at this stuff. ChumpDumper should know.