Will Jose Calderon Remain With The Toronto Raptors This Season?

Jose Calderon, who has spent the past five seasons with the Toronto Raptors was almost dealt on two separate occasions to the Charlotte Bobcats who were (and still are) looking to add an experienced point guard. On the first occasion the Bobcats pulled out of the deal at the last minute killing a proposed trade between the Phoenix Suns-Toronto Raptors and the Charlotte Bobcats. The Raptors would have sent Hidayet “Hedo” Turkoglu to the Suns and dealt Calderon to the Bobcats along with power forward Reggie Evans, in exchange for Leandro Barbosa and Dwayne Jones from the Suns, and Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw from the Bobcats.

The second attempt was during the four-team trade that saw five players change zip codes. The Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, and the Charlotte Bobcats talked about moving T.J. Ford, Jose Calderon, and Erick Dampier that would help each team out in terms of future financial flexibility. However, the teams were a little hesitant, and the other four teams were ready to make the move official. Calderon has been the subject of trade talk and maybe an offer will come up before or during training camp that will let the Raptors move him in exchange for contract relief or possibly for a veteran that can be a solid addition to a team that is looking to find its identity.

It appears that the Raptors are ready to go in another direction with Jarrett Jack at the point guard spot with Barbosa playing alongside him joined by DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani inside. I believe that Calderon will be moved either before the start of the season, or somewhere closer to the trade deadline, as he makes too much money to play off the bench. This is a really good example of how things can change very fast in the NBA, and how a player can fall out of the rotation one season, and can be moved during the next season.

 The NBA is a fast-paced business where things can change very quickly. Teams that perform well in one season are not guaranteed to perform at the same level the next season. The Raptors thought that with the addition of Turkoglu, they would be a contender in the Eastern Conference, but that did not happen. Instead, they are once again left questioning the decision they had made in the past, and are looking to make better ones in the future especially since General manager Bryan Colangelo could be on the hot seat if things do not take a turn for the better soon.