Bryan Colangelo is on the final year of his contract as Raptors president and someone who used to work for the franchise (no, not Isiah Thomas, no, not Butch Carter, no, aw, forget it) claims he’s in danger of being released when it expires June 30 or possibly months earlier.
If that happens, it’d hardly be a stretch to envision the former Suns’ boss trying to reunite with Mike D’Antoni should James Dolan decline to pick up Donnie Walsh’s one-year option come April or offer him an extension.
Considering the team has recaptured New York City’s imagination in Walsh’s third season as father superior, that’s a pretty obscene conclusion.
“Nothing Dolan does or doesn’t do surprises me anymore,” a veteran league observer allows. “While I think he wants to do the right thing and tries to do right by the people he likes, there’s frequently a conflict of interest. That usually results in his teams getting into worse trouble.”
Thomas is the name generally attached to Dolan’s compulsive conflict of interest. Should Walsh get pushed into retirement it’s dreadfully doubtful Colangelo the son . . . or Colangelo the father (Jerry) . . . or Michelangelo . . . or anybody could ever hope to compete with Isiah in Dolan’s affection/selection process.
At least one person close to Bryan bristled when I ran the above suspicious by him. He resented his friend’s name being irresponsibly thrown out there as a possible successor to someone still in charge of an unfinished product he’s all but acing.
It galled the guy even more that I’m speculating Bryan might trespass on Walsh’s land without first substantiating whether his Raptors days really are numbered.
I hate when someone shames me into doing that. It’s so damn time-consuming and often spoils a juicy story.
“I know the perception of the staff internally is that Bryan is going to be extended before Richard Peddie steps down at CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment,” e-mailed someone in prime position to confirm or deny such an allegation. “I believe Richard 100% when he says publicly he’s committed to getting an extension done with Bryan.
“With plausible rumors of a change in majority ownership swirling, and with Richard participating in the selection of his own replacement (he announced his resignation a couple months ago, effective Dec. 31 this year), I believe the last thing he wants to do is to conduct a search for B.C’s replacement.
“Richard is not bluffing when he gives his full support to Bryan–so, if a change were to get made it would be entirely the result of ownership’s decision, and ownership really likes Bryan. In fact, I believe the ownership/management situation gives B.C. considerable leverage in negotiating an extension.”
In closing, my valued source stated, “It’s hard to fathom the majority ownership making a change with either the Raptors or Leafs GM if they’re intent on selling. It’s equally hard to fathom them making a change in either position if they’re not selling — and so far they’ve not said they’re selling in the near future.”
What’s more, according to someone else on the scene owning peripheral vision on such matters, there’s a long-term plan in place, with an emphasis on patience, that’s supported by both Bryan and ownership.
“When our team lost Chris Bosh to free agency, traded Hedo Turkoglu and injuries dragged us down more, we became all about rebuilding and focusing on youth development.”
Reggie Evans, averaging 12.1 rebounds when he hurt his fifth metatarsal 15 games into the season, is the Raptors oldest (31 on May 18) player. Jose Calderon turns 30 on May 28. The rest — spearheaded by Andrea Bargnani (21.4 and 5.7 boards) and reinforced by onrushing DeMar DeRozan (15.3) — are mere saplings in the Petrified Forest. The impudence of column contributors to shriek for the 13-31 Raptors’ contraction!
*
Friend of mine worked with wealthy Russians for more than 15 years. “I can state with some confidence Mikhail Prokhorov is not finished in the Nets’ pursuit of Carmelo Anthony,” Sam Lefkowitz underlines. “He will allow all others to establish market value and then beat it. He may not get his man, but that is the plan.”
That notion is shared by a European contact. “After 30-plus years here I can only tell you that the Russians always want important things discussed behind closed doors,” e-mails the source. “If the talks are still going on (or if they’re not and start again), that will be the place they are conducted.”
Several team executives, looking to get a piece of the ‘Melo pie should the Nets revive negotiations, pressed GM Billy King on it, and he pinky swore they’re absolutely done. “If they’re not done,” one official stresses, “they’re trying like hell to convince others they’re done.”
*
A lot of us are proudly wearing newly purchased James Posey jerseys. Eight days ago, the Pacers’ reserve (and Celtics championship ring bearer) brushed off Blake Griffin, who had rattled Indiana’s cages for 47 points. Afterward, the Clippers’ sci-fi rookie forward approached Posey to shake hands and was left hanging.
“He tried to, I declined,” Posey declared. “He already gave us 40-something and I’m going to shake his hand and thank him? I’m good.”
“This huggin’ and hand-holdin’ and bleep is nothin’ more than lookin’ for airtime,” growls a retired player. “Ain’t enough hate in the league anymore, and hate is a good thing. I think guys will show less love after the new CBA is signed. The lowered pay scale will instill a bit more hunger and hostility.”