NBA Trade Deadline: A Content Colangelo Confuses Fans

Bryan Colangelo and trade deadline equals change.  At least that’s what this combination used to mean.

But the trade deadline came and went with barely a whisper about activity from the Toronto Raptors.  The biggest noise was from unnamed executives who were quoted as saying that Chris Bosh wasn’t available.

Perhaps this shouldn’t have been a surprise.  The Raptors had limited expiring contracts.  The GM had no interest in trading his best players.  And any move was likely to be a “real” basketball trade where both teams would be acquiring players that they actually wanted.

The Raptors' situation did not match the eventual realities of the 2010 trade deadline moves.  For the most part, trades that were made had a purely monetary basis for happening.  The Raptors just didn’t have the necessary pieces to participate.

So Bryan Colangelo advised the media that the Raptors were satisfied with how they were constituted.  We’ll see how he really feels in July.

But for now, it appears the Raptors GM is willing to see how his young group of players continues to develop.

Perhaps this is the safest strategy?  For certain it is the best financial strategy!

By standing pat, the Raptors are virtually assured first round playoff games (and revenues).  Plus, the Raptors are assured of receiving their share of luxury tax monies from the NBA’s tax payers.  Altogether, a package likely to put $10 million in MLSE’s pockets.

Add in the expected $6 million to be recovered from players salaries as the players are very likely to be paid in-excess of 57 percent of BRI this year, and our favorite local sports ownership group should be very happy.

But the fans should be happy with this course of events as well.  More money in MLSE’s pockets makes it more likely Chris Bosh gets his $130 million contract from the Toronto Raptors.

In the end, keeping a team’s All-Star does require the franchise to have the resources to do it.

By passing on potential moves to improve the roster at the trade deadline, even if he may not have had a choice, Bryan Colangelo has ensured the Raptors will remain one of the NBA’s more profitable franchises and in an excellent position to keep their star player this July.