Thursday, July 30th, 2009 at 9:00 am  |  91 responses

Trade: Marco Belinelli for Devean George

by Marcel Mutoni

The wheeling and dealing of this wild offseason is evidently far from over, as evidenced by the Warriors basically giving away Marco Belinelli to the Raptors (does Devean George even still count as an NBA player?)

Although Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo is said to be in love with Belinelli’s game, like many moves in the NBA these days, this was yet another financially-driven one. The Warriors are going to save themselves a bit of loot, as explained by FanHouse:

The Warriors traded shooting guard Marco Belinelli to the Toronto Raptors for small forward Devean George and cash considerations. The deal will be announced on Thursday, according to a source.

The cash considerations are that the Raptors will pick up most of George’s contract, worth $1.6 million in 2009-10. To that extent, George will be helpful to the Warriors even if he never plays a game for them. It certainly goes further in explaining why the Warriors would give up on Belinelli, just 23.

The 31-year old George (and his coveted expiring contract) averaged a shade over 3 points per game last season, while Marco dropped in just under 9 points a night.

Belinelli, a young and talented shooter, becomes the fourth European player on Toronto’s roster. He’s set to earn about $1.5 mil next season, with a team option the following year.

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  • Anony Mous

    Nono, Turkoglu over Marion… Bargnani is way too inconsistant. Anthony Parker was sick. Derozan won’t contribute much this year. Belinelli is unpolished. Bosh doesn’t have the heart for the Raps anymore. The bench is better though with Evans and Jack. This is a 40-45 win team. C’mon guys.

  • Anony Mous

    BTW, I said the talent level was similar, not the roster. The bench is obviously better, but the lineup is almost the same.
    Calderon, Parker, Marion, Bosh, Bargnani.
    Next year:
    Calderon, Derozan?, Turkoglu, Bosh, Bargnani.
    If they can mesh quickly and well, 45 or so wins. Fair?

  • vmcb

    How can you say Bargnani was inconsistant? he was averging 20 and 6 while shooting around 50% since JO went down and was eventually traded. Dude played well for the last three quarters of the season. 45 wins seems like a certainty, but I’m expecting 50. However, I was pretty excited about last year’s team, too…

  • Anony Mous

    If I remember right, Bargnani only played well when he had Bosh on the floor with him. If that stays the same, Bargnani’s contract will look awful after Bosh leaves. I can’t see Bargnani living up to what was expected out of him. People thought we had a younger Dirk. I don’t see it.

  • Anony Mous

    Also, I don’t like Triano as a coach at all, do you?

  • chingy

    Having watched the majority of the raps games last year, Bargnani played well and consistently since Triano became the coach; also, a healthy Calderon(!) will make a difference (ie. won’t get blown by every time)

  • chingy

    (maybe just every other time) haha

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    @ Anony: What are you talking about? Parker was good but let’s be realistic. DeRozan has way more potential than arguably any rookie has. For a team that’s been rebuilding, this is more valuable than having a seasoned vet in Anthony Parker. In other words, DeRozan is a BOOST in talent.
    The talent level is NOT the same, dude. Shawn Marion past his prime when he left Phoenix. He can’t create off the dribble, or defend that well anymore. He isn’t a leader. Hedo Turkoglu has consistently gotten better even after people expected him to flop after his Sacremento days. And he is a leader who can handle the ball and make clutch plays down the stretch. The Raptors needed a crunchtime scorer. They have one. Jarrett Jack, who’s good enough to start on most other teams, is coming off the bench (probably). Reggie Evans is there to bang bodies and snatch boards, something the Raptors couldn’t do last season. Belinelli gives instant offense off the bench.
    The talent on this team has improved by a LONGSHOT.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    45 wins seems possible, though.

  • Coast

    I feel bad for the Warriors fans. Belinelli wasn’t great but he was only 23.

    And Belinelli’s contract has a team option next year so it’s expiring as well, just like George’s. So I don’t see why George’s contract is more attractive than Bellinelli’s, except for the Raptors paying most of it. Golden State must be desperate for cash or to free up playing time.
    And what would the team option on Belinelli be, $2 million? That’s not much if he contributes.

    Our Raptors will give up 110 points per game though (either with George or Belinelli).

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    Teddy…you had me until you said Jarrett Jack could start on most other teams….
    ___
    most other teams bound for the lottery perhaps.

  • iLL wiLL

    Uh…APizzle was a nice player, yeah, but after his first year with the Raps, he fell off – badly. He’s consistently inconsistent. Nice guy to have off the bench who can come in and play the 2 and the 1 spots.

    I do miss him though.

  • http://sjsu.edu davidR

    tenorca, i dont even know what to say. i’m sure you feel the same way

  • http://sjsu.edu davidR

    for devean f*cking george?! damn man, why couldnt he use that trade block he used when he stopped the kidd trade the first time?!

  • http://sjsu.edu davidR

    for devean ufcking george?! why couldn’t he use that trade block he used to stop the kidd to dallas trade?

  • http://sjsu.edu davidR

    living on the bay and watching the warriors often, raptor fans will enjoy marco’s game. he was starting to come into his own as a passer and defender. seriously, his passing is criminally underrated.

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com Blinguo

    Trading away a solid draft pick for salary reasons. I mean this guy wasn’t Patrick O Bryant, who wasn’t supposed to be drafted there anyway amid Nellie coming in. And Don made sure to pick this guy high when he did, convinced in his skills. Now to give up on him so easily. Can’t even afford to keep a rookie salary draft pick around? (even if higher than other rook salaries due to 1st round position) Sell the team, please.

  • Flight

    Trianos a plug, Bellinelli is a nice addition especially for a scrub like george. Jesus Collangello for exec of the year.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    @ Dacre: You don’t think Jarret Jack is a starting-caliber point guard? He singlehandedly won ball games for Indiana last year. He ain’t an All-Star yet, but he’s decent man.

  • Marco

    The Raptors have a nice bench now: beli/derozan, jack,wright, nesterovic, evans and maybe carlos delfino. They can easily win 45 games. And when Bosh is gone Bargnani will be an all-star

  • onions baby onions

    @teddy-the-bear: Jack’s nice, but it’ll be tough for him to knock Calderon out of the starting spot.

    @michael: YES!! Pops is too sick

  • floe

    i’m just excited about the potential to see this before the start of every game this season.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lseTryKrc7s

  • Anony Mous

    Look I get it, but last year I thought they had a 45 win team. Sure, they could win 45, but your heavily relying on production from Bargnani and Derozan. I do like BC’s moves though. If Derozan doesn’t pan out to the guy you all want (A healthy T-Mac/J-Rich), this team lacks a shooting guard. I would have much rather had Parker then Belinelli for this year.. but not futuristically. Parker did the little things, and was clutch. I guess Hedo can be that guy but I still wont overhype this season like everyone did last year. 40-45 wins. Also, (@ Teddy) Jack will NEVER be an all-star, don’t kid yourself. He would be a 15 and 6 guy as a starter. All Derozan has right now is potential, those types of players don’t walk in day one and light the house on fire. 2-3 years from now, sure, a reliable 3rd option scorer that can jump.

  • Anony Mous

    On a side note, Onions Baby Onions!!! Chuck was the best dude ever (mostly cause he looked like a chipmunk).. Bring out the salami and cheese mama, this game is over! Good times…

  • http://joeloholic.wordpress.com Joel O’s

    On paper, Raps fans, I think we have the best team we’ve had in years. Not only do we have a bunch of spot-up shooters, we have a coupla guys who can create shots for themselves and other players. The entire season’s success or failure, I think, rests on whether the Raps can rebound the ball – especially offensively. Lots of shots going up and little rebounding means getting burned on lots of easy layups.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    @ onions: Yeah, what I’m saying is having Jarrett on your bench is a definite plus, considering he’d be a starter in many other places. And he’s Bosh’s homie.

  • lawlow

    what happened to the raps trying to get tougher

  • chingy

    Joel, that’s what we said about our raps last year; let’s approach this season without putting too much hype and pressure on the raps

  • catalan

    toronto = little italy: colangelo, gherardini, triano, bargnani and belinelli!

  • whalleywhat

    The Raps major problems last season were defense, rebounding, and bench depth. With all the moves BC has made this summer, they’ve fixed the bench depth. Evans should do some rebounding, but it looks like he’s the only one? Turkoglu seemed to get signed off of playoff run hype when he didn’t really have that great of a playoff run, he was just on the team that made it to the finals, not to mention that it’s gonna be diminishing returns for the extent of his contract. They’re certainly going to be more fun to watch this season, and I look forward to never having to watch Kapono be a liability and not shoot 3s, but I’m reserving any expectations for this team until I see how they gel.
    Basically, they either need to focus in on playing solid team defense or Triano needs to start cribbing some pages out of the D’antoni playbook.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    @ whalleywhat: Considering Bosh is a 20 10 player, he’s going to do a lot of rebounding.
    @ Anony: Dude, I didn’t say Jack is going to be an All-Star. BUT, starting he’ll be a pretty good player. I’ve seen him win ball games for the Pacers.

  • JoeMaMa

    If you’re a Raps fan this team is the best we’ve had since VC and TMAC dared us to dream. Bosh is guaranteed, Bargs stepped up BIG second half last year, Hedo will thrive in the up tempo we’ll play, along with Derozan (who’s raw but Teddy you’re right, MAJOR potential). Jack is a starter on most teams too!! There’s alot to be excited about!!!!!

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    @Teddy-the-bear.
    ___
    Jarrett Jack is average in my opinion. I don’t dislike the guy but I don’t think anyone getting into a successful playoff run at this point in time is starting a PG like Jarrett Jack.
    In 08-09 for IND: He played 82 and started 53, so he certainly is a durable servicable player. He averaged 33.1 minutes a game and shot 0.453 FG, 0.353 from 3PT and at the line he was an excellent 0.852 – so that all looks fine. His rebounding numbers dont jump out at you at 0.5 offensive and 2.8 defensive = totals of 3.4. it’s the assist and turn over numbers that really shorten JJ’s worth unfortunately (assists) 4.1 and (turnovers)2.24. His offensive production is fine overall (13.1 PPG), but in a steady support role and minimising his turn overs he would be alot more valuable…give him another 3 years and I bet he’ll be a 6th man of the year.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Point taken, Dacre. I agree though, he’s nice to have coming off your bench.

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    Hey Teddy – Look out if he could get onto the bench for the Lakers, Cleveland or Orlando!

  • whalleywhat

    @Teddy – Bosh’s rebounding was there this last season, also. Pay attention to the rebounds he gets. A lot of it’s just him cleaning up garbage and padding his stats. I mean, I love Bosh, but even given what this team looks like on paper, people are being really optimistic. People only seem to be able to see the best in each new player. How about reserving praise for a guy like Derozan before he plays an actual NBA game. Kid’s got hops, but he’s not that well rounded. I’m just skeptical.

  • http://nbacheapseats.blogspot.com Chendaddy

    I guess we’re just automatically assuming Stephen Curry is the answer over there in Oakland, huh? Colangelo is seriously putting together a Euroleague team up north. Pass-first point guards, shooters from 2-4, and a skinny post player who plays face-up. They just need Rasho to get hairier, dirtier, and start smoking during time-outs, and you might as well call them Benetton Treviso. Demar Derozan is the only x-factor on that team.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    @ whalleywhat: Dude, the bulk of DeRozan’s points in Summerleague came from midrange jumpshots, not dunks. He can penetrate AND shoot off the dribble. That’s pretty well-rounded for a rookie.

  • lao

    Don’t forget about Quincy Douby. He’s putting on a case to get ahead of DeMar DeRozan. This is his shot to get an everday role on the team or to at least show his stuff to be traded for something the Raptors would want… or for the next offseason. He did great in the summer league and I’m curious on how he’ll do in the season.

  • Buschfire

    if Triano is good enough for team usa and coach K, I think though skeptical at first, will be good enough for the raps!

  • http://siccness.net trillwill

    bellineli is a solid player that gives a effort on playing d and was doing a good job guarding opp. point guards he should start @ the 2

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