Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo: Deal Maker

As many have said before, the silly season is upon us and despite some misgivings from those who prefer news over rumor, trade speculation will run rampant until the trade deadline is past.

And why not!  Midseason trade speculation is the hope of every teams fan base that their team will acquire the missing pieces to contend  for a title or even just make the playoffs.  Even those fans who just want to blow it all up and start over again have something to hope for.

In Toronto, the Raptors GM has already blown up a substantial part of two teams and rebuilt them in only his fourth season at the helm.

Bryan Colangelo has made at least 15 trades since coming to Toronto and signed numerous free agents.  And since his teams have been to the playoffs in two of three attempts, his rebuilding history isn’t too shabby.

Bryan Colangelo joined the Raptors on February 28, 2006 just after Wayne Embry had completed some much-needed salary dumps courtesy of the New York Nicks.

By the time next season started, Colangelo had nine new faces on his team, putting his stamp on the Raptors and giving Toronto their first NBA division title.

June 2006 trades:

Rafael Araujo > Kris Humphries
Matt Bonner > Rasho Nesterovic
Charlie Villanueva> TJ Ford

Key free agent additions:

Anthony Parker
Jorge Garbajosa
Fred Jones

Bryan Colangelo established early on that he was not afraid to take chances and make deals.

After early success, Bryan Colangelo proved that he was willing to take the big gamble and go for it all when he sent TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston, and a first round pick to Indiana for big man and former all-star Jermaine O’Neal.

And the risk was as big as O’Neal’s $20 million contract.  After several years of knee problems, it was hoped that O’Neal had recovered enough to regain some of his all-star form and lead the Raptors deep into the playoffs.

No sooner had the experiment with O’Neal been deemed a failure, Bryan Colangelo was on the phones trying to move his recent acquisition.  Shawn Marion’s expiring deal was acquired to remove the financial limitations of O’Neal’s contract.

No one can say that Colangelo is hesitant to pull the trigger on a deal that he believes will help his club.

This season, like in 2006, Bryan Colangelo cleaned house yet again by bringing in nine new faces.

Summer 2009 trades:

Jason Kapono > Reggie Evans
Roko Ukic + Carlos Delfino > Sonny Weems + Amir Johnson
Shawn Marion + Kris Humphries > Antoine Wright + Devean George + Hedo Turkoglu
Devean George > Marco Belinelli

Key Free agents:

Jarrett Jack
Rasho Nesterovic

And the result of all this movement is the team at 19-20 is just ahead of the Atlantic Division Champion 2006-07 Raptors who were 18-21 after 39 games.

Way to go Colangelo!

But this season is different from 2006-07.

In 2006-07, the Atlantic Division did not have many obstacles for the Raptors to over come in their pursuit of first place.  This time, a proven veteran Celtics team will not permit a 47 win up-start to claim the title.

This season, the Raptors face a potential point guard controversy similar to the TJ Ford/Jose Calderon problems of 2007-08.  A controversy that cost the Raptors games down the stretch and saw that team significantly under-achieve.

And this version of the Raptors is better than the 2006-07 team.

Key players like Bosh, Bargnani, and Calderon are more experienced.

Key free agent additions are stronger than their counterparts in 06-07.  Specifically Jack > TJ Ford and Turkoglu > Garbajosa.

The 2009-10 Toronto Raptors may only be one or two additions away from truly contending in the Eastern Conference.

But is often noted by realists with a mind to contend, acquiring the necessary talent to put around Bosh will take the Raptors into luxury tax territory.

And MLSE  has permitted the Raptors to be a luxury tax payer when they have had a chance at becoming a perennial playoff team.  As recently as 2004, the Raptors paid $4 million in luxury tax.

The opportunities will likely exist for Bryan Colangelo to make the big deal before the NBA trade deadline that could vault the Raptors from a fifth to eighth seed and an early first round playoff exit to a team with legitimate aspirations of contending for the Eastern Conference finals.

MLSE has permitted the Raptors to spend to succeed in the past.

Is there any chance that a deal maker like Colangelo lets this opportunity pass his team by?

Let the rampant speculation begin!
(Oops too late.)