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What about Cleveland or Boston making an offer for Ford or Calderon?
While the "cultural fit" is not as great as Miami or LA, both of these are contending teams that can use an upgrade at point-guard.
- JL

Jay L. | 05/16/08, 07:02 AM

I THINK THEY SHOULD TRADE FORD DUE TO HIS HEALTH ISSUES AS IF THEY KEEP HIM, AND HE GETS INJURED THEN WHAT????? I'D SAY, FORD, GRAHAM BASTON AND RASHO FOR A PITBULL LIKE RON ARTEST MINUS HIS OFF COURT ISSUES AND ANOTHER PIECE (WELL LET'S SAY SOME ONE LIKE HEDU).
I'D CERTAINLY TRY TO PUSH FORD FOR TRADE. HE IS A CRY BABY. ALL HE CARES IS TO BE A STARTER.

SAM71 | 05/16/08, 07:21 AM

They are better off buying out Ford than trading Calderon, for the simple risk factor he brings.

Sports_Fan_19 | 05/16/08, 07:49 AM

What a mess.. Ford came in with allot of Hype.. he can play but what a mess.

drj0514 | 05/16/08, 07:53 AM

They can't trade Ford. He is too fragile and makes way too much money.

They can't buy him out either, the cap hit is too much and too long.

They will trade Calderon for secondary scoring help, which they need desperately.

I think a lot of people have overrated Calderon some. He is a good player, not an exceptional one. he is a brutal defender, and is a tad slow of foot. I feel his numbers would actually sag if he was the #1 guy. he hasn't proven he can handle major minutes over a long 82 game schedule. He always had big chunks to share with Ford. As a matter of fact, right before Ford returned, Calderon's play looked tired.

The market is way better for Calderon because of contract reasons.

joec | 05/16/08, 08:29 AM

There may be a better market for Calderon, but I don't think Colangelo is ready to give T.J the starting point guard position. joec I agree that Calderon is a poor defender, but Ford's even worse, and that's when he's not quitting on the play.

Look for Colangelo to package Ford with some expiring contracts (Rasho, Garbo(maybe if healthy) and see what they can get. There may not be as many people lining up to get Ford, but they could still get something done.

Now, if there was a deal to get an athletic swing-man that could poor in 20 a night for us, and a lock down defender, and we had to give up Jose - I say pull the trigger in a second.

Bentley00 - Welcome Schenner | 05/16/08, 08:41 AM

Ford is also a brutal defender, is way too small and will be a major distraction. Calderon had no back-up while he was the starter, that's what was starting to wear on him. Ford has also never proven he can play major minutes over a long 82 game schedule, he's always had to share big chunks with whatever back-up the team had (Calderon, Williams, etc.).

The market is better for Calderon because teams know he's the better option, coaching can help him with defence, he can learn to use his shot better and is less selfish than Ford (that not he is terribly selfish). No amount of coaching or experience will help with Ford's lack of size or spinal problem.

They'll trade Ford for a big that is some one else's problem.

Sports_Fan_19 | 05/16/08, 08:59 AM

trade t.j ford and bargani and the 17th pcik for melo

or t.j ford and graham for maggette

or t.j for crawford

mobchester | 05/16/08, 09:10 AM

I personally like the Raps a lot, they find themselves in the luxury of having two good Point Guards. But after consecutive early playoff-exits it becomes obvious that somethig has to change. The need a second scorer ! So it's time to trade one of the two.T.J. is a goog guy, but in the end it's all about business and his health condition makes him an unstable candidate for the future. At the same time I think Calderon could handle the starting spot for a full season.
So in first place I would try to trade Ford - Sorry T.J. - and maybe some others (exept Rasho - he play's great) and see what you can get for that.
If that doesn't work try again with Calderon..

DJRauce | 05/16/08, 09:29 AM

The Raps need a center who can play starter's minutes, can score inside and will do the dirty work..like the role Antonio Davis filled for the Raps back in the day....to help Bosh out. Sure the outside defending is a problem but the lack of interior muscle is a bigger one.

The Raps have no choice but to wear out Bosh defending the Howards, Brands, Duncans of the NBA because Rasho can only do it for 15 ish mins a game and a certain Italian "center".....well...

Andrea Bargnani is too soft to play at the 5....and I don't trust that he'll grow into the role with age. To me, he looks and plays like a (poor poor) poor man's version of Dirk Nowitzki.

It's pathetic when a guy 6'11 or whatever feet tall can only grab 3.7 boards in per 24 mins....or shoot only 38.6% from the field...or only block .5 shots per game in his time on the court.

But Andrea managed to do all of that....gees.

ArmchairAthlete Is Wall-E | 05/16/08, 10:02 AM

calderon isn't goin anywhere.

dubya | 05/16/08, 10:43 AM

Calderon should have been an All-Star this year. If he's traded, he'll be fine. It's the Raptors that will suffer. It would be a stupid move. to trade Calderon instead of Ford. However, Calderon's contract will expire this year and Ford's contract ($8.5 million) may make him untradeable. They might be able to get more in return for Jose.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 05/16/08, 10:59 AM

**** Boston!

CelticHater | 05/16/08, 11:53 AM

Pretty unfortunate that these two great PG's demand the starting position.

I Like Turtles | 05/16/08, 12:05 PM

The bottom line is Calderon will fetch more in a trade than Ford, he's simply too much of a risk. Personally, I'm a big booster of Ford, he showed some great tenacity before that dirty Horford throwdown.

If the rumors are true, I'd make a pitch for Melo. They need a PG (Chucky Atkins?! c'mon..) also send Rasho, Graham/Garbo/Parker and the #1 pick this year (outside of Rose and maybe Beasley, I don't see a lot of potential entering this year)

postrelevance | 05/16/08, 12:54 PM

I guess just beacuse he is Spanish he should play in Miami or Los Angeles? this article is crap...
How about Ming? in San Francisco

Diaw? In New Orleans

Nash? in Canada

Who am I missing.....Najera should Play either in Texas or Miami also....

I is the man | 05/16/08, 01:08 PM

Will everyone forget the TJ-for-Melo trade ideas?!? If you were Denver, would you make that trade? Besides, between TJ and AI, Denver's starting back court would be two guards under 6' tall!

If the Raps want to get back anything of value, they're either going to have to fleece someone (I'm looking at you, MJ) or give up Jose. Sucks, but...

OhMyBosh | 05/16/08, 01:13 PM

This article is BS !
Nobody said that Gasol ending up in LA made sense culturally right ?
Calderon would help a lot of teams. He's a solid pass-first PG with a low TO ratio. There's no way that player is overrated. As a starter he could vie for an All Star spot next season, provided he stays in the East.
Toronto is a great place for him to gain experience. He's not as exposed there as he would be in Miami or LA...

Aymeric | 05/16/08, 01:28 PM

i'm confused. you have a personnel/roster problem and so you trade away the better player with the better attitude? that may make short term financial sense, but that's about it. what really makes money in pro sports is WINNING. better players cost more and win more.

mk | 05/16/08, 01:59 PM

he has improved alot from a 3 point shooting 11 % to a high 42% this past season & a career high 47% 3 point shooting please Eric Spolestra get this guy to my miami Heaters.
Calderon, Wade, Marion, Beasly & Mourning as the lethal starting 5.

the dEE of dees | 05/16/08, 02:00 PM