NBA Trade Rumors: Toronto Raptors Would Be Foolish to Move Jose Calderon

The Toronto Raptors are building a decent core of players, they would be taking a step backwards by trading Jose Calderon. According to head coach Dwane Casey, the team has had deals proposed to them for Calderon. He said this to Jeff Blair of The Globe and Mail:

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We’re trying to hold on to him and keep him, but he has played his way into a very high status as a point guard,

A lot of teams have been calling and wanting him.

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The Raptors should send these calls to their voice mails, as none of them are likely to yield the types of returns to compensate Toronto for the loss of Calderon.

Calderon is one of the top PGs in the Eastern Conference. He's second in assists in the NBA behind Rajon Rondo with 8.9 per game, and he is shooting 37 percent from the arc.

Calderon has long been one of the most underrated lead guards in the NBA. His career averages show this year is no fluke. He's averaged 10 points and seven assists through his six-plus seasons and he's an 88 percent free-throw shooter.

In short, the Lou Ferrigno mini-me can ball.

Tell me you don't see the resemblance:

The Raptors aren't likely to find another PG on their roster, or elsewhere, who can produce those numbers.

The Raptors are known to covet restricted free agent Wilson Chandler, but they would need to cut salary to offer him a multi-year deal. Calderon has one more year left on his contract at $10.5 million per year, and he currently makes $9.7 million. Hoopsworld's Steve Kyler said this a month ago in regards to Toronto's interest in Chandler:

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Sources close to the process say the Raptors plan to make life hard on the Denver Nuggets with regards to restricted free agent Wilson Chandler.

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In my opinion, moving Calderon to make room for Chandler isn't worth it. Chandler is a solid small forward, but he isn't the type of presence you move your effective starting point guard for.

Chandler has averaged 14 points and five rebounds per game in his NBA career. As I said, these are solid numbers, but he doesn't put the Raptors in the playoffs.

Chandler's impact on the Raptors won't be as big as Calderon's is currently. The Raptors are struggling this season at 10-23, primarily because of injuries to Andrea Bargnani and no real presence in the middle.

Bargnani will heal and Jonas Valanciunas is headed to the Raptors next year after his buyout is complete, so the Raptors hope these events help them take the next step.

Without Calderon to run the show, it'll be a tougher process.

Coach Casey further acknowledged Calderon's impact on the team:

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"That is why we need Jose,” said Casey. “That’s the argument for him. He gives us stability. You need that leadership."

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If the Raptors want Chandler so badly, then they should facilitate that union in the offseason, when Chandler becomes an unrestricted free agent.

The Raptors have Leandro Barbosa's contract set to expire at $7.6 million. That total could easily be thrown at Chandler, with a little bit of cash rolled in to make it a more competitive offer. 

Toronto needs to keep things in the proper perspective and hold on to Calderon.