Luke Jackson a Raptor ?

[BOSS]

Raps hope to cash in on amnesty
Looking to save enough on Mourning deal to ink free agents
Working to get guard Jackson and possibly a locker-room leader

DOUG SMITH
SPORTS REPORTER

Alonzo Mourning may finally pay some dividends for the Raptors.

While also working diligently to obtain second-year Cleveland guard Luke Jackson, the Raptors are expected to take advantage of the NBA's one-time tax amnesty to save enough money on the cap obligation they have to Mourning to be able to sign free agents starting today.

Under the new NBA collective bargaining agreement, teams can avoid the tax penalties on one player by renouncing any claims to them this week. The salaries of the waived players would still count against the cap, but not the tax level and Toronto's ownership has made it clear to GM Rob Babcock that avoiding the dollar-for-dollar tax is his primary goal when remaking the roster.

While the Raptors are not at the tax level of $61.7 million (all figures U.S.) for this coming season, they are perilously close with nearly $60 million in salary — including $1.3 million they are still on the books for the ill-fated signing of the departed Nate Huffman.

That doesn't include deals that are pending with free-agents Pape Sow and Jose Manuel Calderon and certainly doesn't include anything to do with Matt Bonner, who may be pricing himself out of Toronto's plans.

Under the amnesty rule, the Raps would waive Mourning and save the buyout portion of his contract for tax purposes.

That's expected to be more than $4 million, allowing them to get the free agent backup point guard they desperately need and perhaps to add a veteran to act as some sort of locker- room leader.

Mourning would make the most sense, unless the Raptors were willing to use the tax amnesty on Alvin Williams but since Williams was in town last week working out, it appears he's still in the club's long-term plans.

And Mourning, with two years left on the Raptor books, has a longer contract than the other logical choice — Lamond Murray — who is entering the final year of his contract. It's also been rumoured around the Raptor offices that Babcock may just waive Murray and eat his salary to clear up a roster spot for a younger player. That player may be Cleveland's Jackson.
According to league sources, the Raptors and Cavs are discussing a deal involving Jackson and that doesn't work hand-in-hand with Cleveland signing one-time Raptor Donyell Marshall as a free agent.

Jackson, the 10th pick in the 2004 draft, was limited to just 10 games with the Cavs last year because of injuries and wouldn't seem to fit in with Cleveland, which also has Ira Newble and Sasha Pavlovic at the same position.

Cleveland, among the most active teams on the free-agent market, needs a backup for centre Zydrunas Ilgauskas and could be interested in Aaron Williams, another Raptor who doesn't fit into the team's long-term plans.

However, the addition of the 24-year-old, 6-foot-7 Jackson would give the Raptors a glut of swingmen, tossing him into the same mix with Morris Peterson, Jalen Rose, rookie Joey Graham, Eric Williams and the soon-to-be-acquired Spaniard Jose Calderon, who could play both backcourt positions.

But if any interest in Jackson is a precursor to other moves, Babcock isn't saying.

The notoriously close-mouthed Babcock — who plays his cards close to the vest in any and all personnel moves — doesn't expect the Raptors to come out of the gates making announcements this afternoon.

"But there will be over the following days," he said last night. "We're definitely going to sign some players but whether we have any trades will depend on how some dominos fall.

"But if the right dominos fall, it means we could have a deal or two going on."

Aside from an NBA proven backup point guard, Babcock admitted the Raptors are looking for a veteran big man who can provide some leadership to youngsters Rafael Araujo and Loren Woods, who remain the only two centres under contract.

Kevin Willis, at 42 the oldest player in the NBA last season, has expressed interest in returning to Toronto on a one-year contract and would fit the Raptor needs.

Babcock and coach Sam Mitchell are well aware of the locker room dissension that existed last season, primarily centred on point guard Rafer Alston, who clashed with his coaches and teammates.

Having some strong personality in the locker room may help lessen the problems that are sure to arise once this coming season begins.

[[L3]1101]

FINALLY some good raptor news!!

edit: How good/bad is this guy?

[Keo]

Luke Jackson would be a good addition.

[Blue Nugget]

I never really liked that guy so eeh,good riddance.

[RxC6]

he's a great 3pt shooter

[[L3]1101]

he's a great 3pt shooter

Yay!!!

[Its_asdf]

Yes, just what the Raptors need. More three point shooting.

I think that Luke would be a pretty good addition, espeically if we manage to get rid of Lamond Murray or Eric Williams.

[BOSS]

Guess this aint gonna happen. Donyell Marshall has officially been signed by the Cavs.

[cyanide]

So this means the Cavs can't unload Jackson?

According to league sources, the Raptors and Cavs are discussing a deal involving Jackson and that doesn't work hand-in-hand with Cleveland signing one-time Raptor Donyell Marshall as a free agent.