Raps Want to deal? (Toronto Star)

This claims they want to move a half dozen, b ut keep saying 'No' to offers. What do Raps really want?

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...970081562040&DPL=IvsNDS/7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes

Feb. 1, 2005. 01:00 AM


Raptors' trade list almost half-dozen
Obvious who doesn't fit into team's future Babcock has string of clubs to talk to before Feb. 24

DOUG SMITH SPORTS REPORTER

It's clear that Donyell Marshall, Lamond Murray, Aaron Williams and perhaps Eric Williams and even Milt Palacio are not in the long-term Raptor plans centred on turning the team into something more than mere playoff participants.

None are young enough, or under contract for long enough, or good enough, or interested enough in sticking around for the years that the process will take, so general manager Rob Babcock has just 24 days now to start moving them and give coach Sam Mitchell something better to work with.

And some of those moveable parts continue to attract great interest around the NBA, even from opposing players during games.

Marshall would unquestionably welcome a deal, although he has never publicly expressed a desire to be moved. But seeing his minutes yo-yo from one game to the next — a difficult role to accept for someone who thrives on consistent playing time — can be doing nothing to make him consider Toronto a long-term proposition.

The San Antonio Spurs have been added to the list of suitors for Marshall, offering backup big man Malik Rose in return. However, Rose has an untenable contract — three years and almost $20 million (all figures U.S.) — and lacks the athleticism Mitchell wants.

The Heat remain strong suitors, strong enough that sources say players on the Miami team are mystified that Babcock has refused all entreaties for Marshall so far and let the veteran Raptor know that during a game in Toronto last week.

But the Heat offers, which include journeyman backup centre Michael Doleac, has done nothing to catch Babcock's attention.

And if there's one trait the general manager has displayed more than any other since his arrival, it's patience.

He is likely to weigh any offer until much closer to the Feb.24 trade deadline before acting.

Murray, with one season remaining on his contract, will be in the same position a year from now that Marshall is in today, and there's no question he'll leave as a free agent as soon as he can.

He also doesn't have the speed, or enthusiasm, that Mitchell wants and it's become apparent that young Matt Bonner is moving ahead of both Marshall and Murray in the rotation.

"Matt's been great for us," Mitchell said recently.

"He's been a diamond in the rough."

Aaron Williams, who can opt out of his contract this summer, has become little more than a bit player, while Eric Williams has been a disappointment recently.

 

DM for MR is a joke (due to contract statuses). But, MR for MoT I could be happy with.

I would have liked the article to have articulated what Raps are trying to do in the trade market -- a straight dump, or a philosophical effort?