Torn regarding the Raptors. Villanueva for Ford helps significantly in theory. Creates a direction for the team that could result in fifty wins in the Eastern Conference.
On the other hand: Trade has about a 20-50% chance of backfiring horribly due to the relative health and shooting ability of Villaneuva and Ford.
Skeptical of a deal that inspires sixty percent of Bucks fans to vote “I love it!” in an online poll. It could work out well and set the tone for Toronto’s resurgence. Think that the trade is more likely to succeed than not but less enthusiastic than other basketball addicted friends due to the risk involved.
One circuitous way to evaluate the trade is to ask if Toronto will be better than Milwaukee in 2006-07? Considering the rosters of both teams, the answer is no (on paper). But the Bucks are capped out and the Raptors are playing for the future. Playoffs are possible for both teams next year but Toronto must make more moves.
Replacing Villanueva: Villanueva’s shooting (Fred Jones, Eddie House?) and rebounding (Reggie Evans?) must be replaced and the Raptors need a guard who can defend to back up Ford (Marcus Banks?). Why not try for all of them? The lack of rumours is discouraging.
Nesterovic has played besides two of the best power forwards in the league; six points and five boards per game — along with a seat on the bench for the second half of the last two seasons — is his potential. Ford won’t score more than a dozen points per game. Since Toronto will lose James for nothing (Marquis Daniels was a bad contract anyways), who will score next season? Also, the Raptors must add defenders to the roster.
What’s Next: Toronto boasts half of a good team; Colangelo must find a back-up 4, a 3 who can shoot, and a 1 who can defend (a 2 with height would fit in nicely too). The Raptors are at one of those spots in a choose your own adventure book where one choice is the path to a happy ending and the other leads to total catastrophe.