A Case For The Return Of The Matrix...

[Rios15]

The most desirable free agent for the Toronto Raptors is the player they already had.

His name Shawn Marion. Big guy. Goes by the nickname Matrix.

Coach Jay Triano called Marion “a guy who could guard threes and could bring the ball up. He is small enough to play the small forward position and he allowed Chris and Andrea to both be on the floor at the same time with a true three.”

Sounds like a guy you want.

When the Raptors finally got on the same page with Marion, who came over in the trade for Jermaine O’Neal, they reeled off nine wins in their last 13. They ran, they rebounded, they scored. In 27 games, Marion delivered 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds a game.

Marion sometimes led the charge. He guarded everyone wearing an opposite colour. He turns 31 next month and has been largely injury free.

There hasn’t been much subterfuge from the Raptors. They would like Marion back and while missing the playoffs reflexively means change, the Raptors have had no shortage of turnover. T.J. Ford begat O’Neal who was parlayed into Marion. Coach Sam Mitchell gave way to Triano and two more members of the rotation, Anthony Parker and Joey Graham are up.

The Raptors desire to get Marion back speaks to this year’s crop of free agents. Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu and the Bulls Ben Gordon lead the unrestricteds. This is the year of the minnow. The class of 2010 is chock with big fish including LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Who knows if the Raptors, bolstered by the expiration of Jorge Garbajosa’s contract and free of O’Neal’s monstrous deal ($22.9 million next season) can produce the financial inducements to keep Marion. A wild guess is that $30 million over three years might do it.

Meanwhile, the full effects of the economic slowdown will be reflected in the salary cap for the 2011 season. That could have a dampening effect on salaries this summer.

It is an unknown market with no way to assess how clubs will approach the talent auction, but a hint might have come from Los Angeles where the Dodgers didn’t budge from their offer for Manny Ramirez. Agent Scott Boras went from demanding a four year-deal to accepting a two-year contract, albeit for $45 million. There were no other takers for him. And that’s in a system with no salary cap.

Marion’s memories of Toronto are fresh and positive. Moreover, the best way to convince Bosh that management has its eye on the prize would be to bring back Marion.

After a rough season, GM Bryan Colangelo could use a win.

Raptors.com | Mike Ulmers Blog

I'd definitely like to see the matrix back for another season in Toronto.