Though I know on most messageboards there has been a negative
reaction to this rumour, there are a number of factors and fringe
benefits to doing this deal.

First of all the idea of trading AD for a center is a good one. The
problem is Mutombo's aging body. We're just not sure he can
contribute enough to justify his obscene contract (Hakeem 2).
Personally, if I knew for sure Mutombo could play 30 semi effective
minutes for the whole season I would do the deal. I think Mutombo
could anchor the defense with his physical presence at center and
Mutombo shouldn't demand as many shots as AD either.

Other factors:

- Mutombo should play less than AD would have and thus open up
minutes at center for Bateer in a backup role. Right now Bateer looks
like a bench warmer.

- PF becomes wide open and the Raptors have a number of players to
battle it out all season to be top man. Bradley, Bosh, Moiso, and JYD
is nice depth even without AD.

- the Raptors need a first round draft choice from somewhere to close
the obligation they have to Cleveland from the Yogi trade. They
better get one in this deal.

- the trade moves players from our strength at PF/SF and aquires a
player at our number one weakness which is center.

- moving Murray unloads a lengthy contract so that Peterson can be
resigned next season. With Jefferies, Curry, and possibly George
Williams to go along with Peterson and Murray the Raps would be
spending too much on the SF position.

- the ending contract of Mutombo in two years is right when Moiso,
Bateer, Palacio, Bradley, Jefferies all could be allowed to become
free agents. I think the direction of the franchise could be
determined then. Right now we'd have to wait an extra year until AD's
contract is up.

Finally it is a potential home run cut for Grunwald and O'neill. If
Mutombo can play at a high level, then the Raptors make the playoffs
and Grunwald get his new contract and O'neill strengthens his
position as coach. I can feel O'neill's fingers all over this trade.
If the trade busts then Grunwald's ass is fired and his coach may
follow.

I'm still not sure it is a great idea, but I can see why a GM and
coach might want to take a chance on the payoff.




--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, akaz1976 <no_reply@y...> wrote:
> http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?
>
pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Artic
> le&cid=1063404610441
>
> Toronto star had the above article. Now though i believe Raptors
over
> paid for AD (like they did for AW and JYD) but to replace him with
> mutumbo is even worse. Mutumbo was a great player but his playing
> days are done (almost), though i guess i am still suffering from
the
> experience with the Dream.
>
> Unless Raptors are trying to get out of paying AD for the two
season
> after next one. Which might be a good move!
>
> Akaz