Published: July 26, 2009
Less than 12 months after being dealt to Indiana, veteran big man Rasho Nesterovic has returned to Toronto.
The deal is for one-year at the biannual exception of $1.9 million which allows the team to maintain roster flexibility next summer while adding a veteran presence for the upcoming season.
Nesterovic was included as part of the Jermaine O’Neal deal last summer, but he fell in love with the city during his time here and kept his house. There were rumours circulating of some interest from the Detroit Pistons in recent weeks but he was more comfortable returning to Toronto. Because of his familiarity with the franchise combined with his calming influence, he was a natural fit as the team sought out a veteran presence to play spot minutes behind Andrea Barganani next season.
Last season Nesterovic averaged a steady 6.8 points and 3.4 rebounds a game, starting 19 of the 70 games he appeared in. But it’s not his stats that make him a valuable commodity to the Raptors – it’s his steady presence in the locker room. When he was last in Toronto two seasons ago, he acted as a calm, veteran presence. He’s far from the most talkative player I’ve dealt with over the past few seasons, but from what I witnessed he served as a great mentor to Andrea Bargnani. Even with all the strides Bargnani made last season it’s clear he can learn a lot from Nesterovic this season.
While this is a great deal for the Raptors, Bargnani and Nesterovic, it pretty much kills any chance of the team resigning fan favourite Pops Mensah-Bonsu. The team now only has one roster spot remaining but that will like be used on a wing player such as Carlos Delfino or Linas Kleiza. With Nesterovic now back in the mix he will be the backup centre behind Andrea Bargnani and along with that duo, Chris Bosh, Reggie Evans and, gulp, Patrick O’Bryant, the Raptors are now set in the front court.
4 Comments on "Nesterovic Returns To The Nest"
Morning Coffee July 26 - Raptors Republic - Raptors Blog ESPN True Hoop on Sun, 26th Jul 2009 8:49 am
[...] Hoops Addict Sorry to burst the bubble of some Raptor fans, but this pretty deal much kills any chance of the team resigning fan favourite Pops Mensah-Bonsu. The team has one roster spot remaining but that will like be used on a wing player such as Carlos Delfino or Linas Kleiza. With Nesterovic now back in the mix he will be the backup centre behind Andrea Bargnani and along with that duo, Chris Bosh, Reggie Evans and, gulp, Patrick O’Bryant, the Raptors are now set in the front court. [...]
Steve on Sun, 26th Jul 2009 11:21 am
Yes!
A proven vet on the cheap for 1 year instead of another project!
I believe the max is 3 dead contracts or projects per team looking to make the post-season. Sorry Pops, already full up. Maybe in January if POB is a total bust and there’s any luxury tax cap room left.
(There are still other/better FA vets with decent numbers out there for the 15th spot)
Linkage for Jul 24 9am to Jul 26 7pm - Raptors Republic - Raptors Blog ESPN True Hoop on Sun, 26th Jul 2009 8:00 pm
[...] Hoops Addict » Nesterovic Returns To The Nest Sorry to burst the bubble of some Raptor fans, but this pretty deal much kills any chance of the team resigning fan favourite Pops Mensah-Bonsu. The team has one roster spot remaining but that will like be used on a wing player such as Carlos Delfino or Linas Kleiza. With Nesterovic now back in the mix he will be the backup centre behind Andrea Bargnani and along with that duo, Chris Bosh, Reggie Evans and, gulp, Patrick O’Bryant, the Raptors are now set in the front court. [...]
Ryan McNeill on Mon, 27th Jul 2009 2:09 pm
Steve – Exactly, the chance to add a proven vet, cheap and for only one year is yet another brilliant move from BC.
I know a lot of people are hoping Delfino comes back, but personally I would like to see LK come over from Denver. I think he could play the 2, 3 or even 4 for us while providing a huge scoring spark off the bench.