Free Agency – Can Colangelo Bring FAs to Philadelphia 76ers

I have met the enemy, and he is me

Bryan Colangelo was his own worst enemy in his seven years with the Toronto Raptors.  The rush to generate a playoff competitive team created a number of problems for the team, problems which developed early on and contributed mightily to the absence of the team from  post-season for Colangelo’s last five seasons straight.   His worst nightmare came true when he signed away the team’s salary cap money with little in return.

Since Colangelo is expected to focus on free agency and trades initially with the Philadelphia 76ers, we’ll break down those moves with the Raptors at first:

2006

Anthony Parker (3 years, $12M) – Out of the gate, the team picked up former Philadelphia 76ers Orlando Magic shooting  guard Anthony Parker.  He immediately filled the role of a 3 and D guy, and gave the Raptors their money’s worth. (Good Signing)
Jorge Garbajosa (3 years, $12M) – Another early signing.  His first year was promising, but he was severely injured in March 2007, which shortened his rookie season. He attempted to come back in his second year, but his injury nagged and he opted to have a second operation.  The team bought out his contract. (Good to Bad Signing)
Fred Jones (3 years, $11M)            – One more early signing who never panned out, and was traded mid season to the Portland Trailblazers for Juan Dixon and “future considerations”.  The Raptors subsequently traded Juan Dixon to the Detroit Pistons for center Primoz Brezec and cash.  The more Colangelo tinkered with this deal, the worse it got for the Raptors. (Bad Signing)

2007

Jason Kapono (4 years, $20M)- Bursting with confidence from his year one success in free agency, Colangelo wanted to add veteran shooting from the perimeter, and got it out of Kapono for about a year.  He never came close in value to his paycheck.  During his stint with the Raptors, Kapono was hesitant to shoot, and that was the start of Colangelo’s fall from his rookie success. The Raptors were just .500 the next season, and failed to make the post-season in each of the next five years. (Bad Signing)

Jamario Moon (2 years, league minimum $854k)  – Colangelo found Moon in a three day free agent mini-camp, and immediately signed him to a low-risk, high-reward contract.  The small forward emerged to become a big part of the Raptors’ rotation. (Good Signing)

Next: The Good, But Mostly The Bad With Some Ugly