NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors Point Guard Jose Calderon is (Again) on the Trade Block

By Craig Ballard
Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

Stop me if you have heard this before – the Toronto Raptors are rumored to be shopping point guard Jose Calderon. The eight year veteran has done nothing but be a team-first player who has consistently done what was asked of him, but he seems to be on the trading block annually. This season in particular I think Calderon trade rumors will be fast and furious as the calender turns to February (trade deadline is Feb. 21) as not only is he a legit contributor for your team, but also his $10.5 million contract comes off the books at seasons end making Calderon an on-the-court and off-the-court asset.

Over his career (all eight seasons have been with the Raps) Calderon has seen guys like Marcus Banks, Roko Ukic, Will Solomon and Quincy Douby get brought in to be depth guys, but players like T.J. Ford, Jerryd Bayless, and this season Kyle Lowry have been brought in to replace Calderon (or at least take the vast majority of the point guard minutes). General Manager Bryan Colangelo tried like crazy to land Steve Nash in this past off-season in yet another attempt to upgrade the point guard position.

Currently we are hearing that the Raps and Memphis Grizzlies may be in dialogue regarding a trade that would send Rudy Gay to the T-Dot in exchange for Calderon and Ed Davis, but the Grizz would want a third team involved to likely take Calderon. That team could be the Boston Celtics who just lost Rajon Rondo for the season, but there are also rumors of a Raps-Celts trade for Calderon that does not include the Grizz.

Calderon has played in 525 NBA games (323 as a starter including 30 starts this season) and he averages 10.0 points per game (that is up to 11.1 this season) with 7.2 assists per game (7.4 so far this season). He is shooting 42.9 percent from downtown this season which ties his career best (.388 career percentage from downtown). In Raptors victories this season Calderon averages 12.2 points and 9.4 assists, and he has a whopping .545 field goal percentage. We know he is a guy who will come off the bench, but he is more effective as a starter. The 31-year-old has not been in the playoffs since 2008, but his playoff numbers are: 11 games (one start) 12.5 points per game, and 6.1 assists per game.

It will be very interesting to see if the Raps use the Calderon expiring contract for their own benefit, or if they finally (after numerous attempts) trade him. We are already seeing rumors swirling, and that will surely increase as we approach Feb. 21. Rant Sports will have all of your NBA info, including any Calderon-saga info.

@craigballard77

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