Jack Filling Out Roster

The signing of Jarrett Jack is not a blockbuster, but it may well be the piece that solidifies a playoff spot for the Raptors this season. Jack is the perfect piece to provide depth for the backcourt and insurance for the Raptors most vulnerable position.

First off Jack is a competent starting point guard that came into his own last season. He began last year as the backup point for the Pacers and beat out TJ Ford to become the starter as the season wore on. Jack is a quick and physical point that will provide a good change of pace from the more controlled style of Jose Calderon. Jack is a better defender then Calderon so he is pretty much the perfect complement at the point. He is also a quality person and just the type of person that Colangelo likes to add to the organization.

At 6’3 Jack can also play the two spot so we can expect to see him and Calderon share the court at times during the season. He will be the first guard off the bench and should put in 25 to 30 minutes a game.

The other important thing about this signing is that the Raptors now have a fall back plan if Calderon gets injured. Last year the team fell apart without Calderon in the lineup and he was rushed back from injury. As a result he never fully recovered physically and the team suffered even when he came back into the lineup. Should Calderon get hurt again this season Jack is fully capable of running the team for a three or four week stretch.

Ukic was rushed last year and will take a step back in playing time. For the Raptors he would only be the third point so Colangelo is exploring trade options for him. With four year commitments to Calderon and Jack there really is not a long term fit for Ukic here. I could see him develop into a solid player with a non-playoff team where he can earn serious minutes as the back up point guard.

Colangelo would love to find someone to take Marcus Banks’ salary off his hands but that will be a challenge since he has two more years left on his contract. Douby is the other player without a role but would be a fine third point guard if Ukic and Banks are moved.

From my perspective this signing further decreases the need to bring Delfino back and I would hate to see the Raptors tie up future cap space by signing him to a long term deal. The last word form Colangelo is that he would like to bring Delfino back, but he would rather overpay a little on a one year deal then commit to a multi year deal.

The last piece is another big man and Nesterovic is still in the Raptors sights. He would be a very important for the team and be able to chip in 8 to 12 minutes a game, grab some rebounds, play defense against some of the bigger centers and eat up some fouls. If he is not signed by the end of the month look for the Raptors to make a move to sign another back up big man.

A minor side point in the Jack signing is that he and Bosh are former teammates at Georgia Tech and still good friends. Jack’s signing will not be the tipping point in trying to retain Bosh, but it definitely does not hurt.