George O'Brien
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Dec. 24, 2003. 01:00 AM
Raptors don't want Sun castoff Archibald
Team source denies Phoenix deal report Grunwald could trade
little-used Murray
DOUG SMITH
SPORTS REPORTER
Toronto Star
Just because they have a glaring need for another rebounder, the Raptors aren't about to become the dumping ground for every young big man wasting away on an NBA bench.
Contrary to a published report, Toronto has no interest in obtaining 6-11 forward-centre Robert Archibald from the Phoenix Suns, a 23-year-old project who has failed to crack either the Memphis Grizzlies or Phoenix rotation.
A high-ranking Raptor source said last night the team had been contacted about Archibald, but primarily because the Suns wanted to dump his salary — just over $500,000 (all figures U.S.) this season — so they could obtain forward Donnell Harvey from the Orlando Magic.
Harvey did indeed get traded to Phoenix yesterday, for a second-round draft pick, while Archibald was stashed on the Suns' injured list with the flu.
It was unclear, the source said, what the Suns would have wanted from Toronto for Archibald.
The native of Paisley, Scotland, has appeared in just one game this season, playing six minutes and scoring a single point.
The Raptors, struggling to find a fourth big man to fill out a rotation that comprises rookie Chris Bosh, the equally unproven Lonny Baxter and veteran Donyell Marshall, are unlikely to fill that spot with cheap, unproven talent.
General manager Glen Grunwald has been speaking to a handful of teams, as he does as a matter of course, but team sources say there are no substantial trade talks going on.
It's more likely the general manager will be trying to deal Lamond Murray, the veteran scorer with a $5 million price tag who is buried on the bench, rather than just take on some kid.
Murray, who hasn't played a significant minute since Jalen Rose, Marshall and Baxter were obtained from Chicago, may fetch a veteran big man but teams aren't beating down Grunwald's door with offers.
Toronto, which has lost five of its last six games and sits just one game above .500, begins a three-game road trip Boxing Day in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz.
Raptors don't want Sun castoff Archibald
Team source denies Phoenix deal report Grunwald could trade
little-used Murray
DOUG SMITH
SPORTS REPORTER
Toronto Star
Just because they have a glaring need for another rebounder, the Raptors aren't about to become the dumping ground for every young big man wasting away on an NBA bench.
Contrary to a published report, Toronto has no interest in obtaining 6-11 forward-centre Robert Archibald from the Phoenix Suns, a 23-year-old project who has failed to crack either the Memphis Grizzlies or Phoenix rotation.
A high-ranking Raptor source said last night the team had been contacted about Archibald, but primarily because the Suns wanted to dump his salary — just over $500,000 (all figures U.S.) this season — so they could obtain forward Donnell Harvey from the Orlando Magic.
Harvey did indeed get traded to Phoenix yesterday, for a second-round draft pick, while Archibald was stashed on the Suns' injured list with the flu.
It was unclear, the source said, what the Suns would have wanted from Toronto for Archibald.
The native of Paisley, Scotland, has appeared in just one game this season, playing six minutes and scoring a single point.
The Raptors, struggling to find a fourth big man to fill out a rotation that comprises rookie Chris Bosh, the equally unproven Lonny Baxter and veteran Donyell Marshall, are unlikely to fill that spot with cheap, unproven talent.
General manager Glen Grunwald has been speaking to a handful of teams, as he does as a matter of course, but team sources say there are no substantial trade talks going on.
It's more likely the general manager will be trying to deal Lamond Murray, the veteran scorer with a $5 million price tag who is buried on the bench, rather than just take on some kid.
Murray, who hasn't played a significant minute since Jalen Rose, Marshall and Baxter were obtained from Chicago, may fetch a veteran big man but teams aren't beating down Grunwald's door with offers.
Toronto, which has lost five of its last six games and sits just one game above .500, begins a three-game road trip Boxing Day in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz.
