Nuggets - Raptors deal

[Warwick <giants@eisa.net.au>]

Hey all,

Dont be surprised to see the Nuggets and the Raptors come to a deal
which would
send Doug Christie and Chauncey Billups to the Nuggets inexchange for
Nick Van
Exel and Dean Garrett or Bryant Stith.

Raptors

 C - Willis   | Garrett | Marks
PF - Oakley   | Wright  | Thomas
SF - Wallace  | McGrady | Slater
SG - Carter   | Brown
PG - Van Exel | Wheeler

Free Agents - Chris Garner, Oliver Miller, Gary Trent, Alvin Williams

Nuggets

 C - LaFrentz | Lauderdale
PF - Fortson  | Fowlkes
SF - Williams | Bowen
SG - Christie | Stith
PG - Billups  | Jackson

Free Agents - Cory Alexander, Harold Ellis, LaPhonso Ellis, Anthony
Goldwire,
              Johnny Newman, Eric Washington, Joe Wolf

If Denver can sign Tom Gugliotta (as they believe is possible) then can
re-sign Johnny Newman as a backup small forward and can sign a decent
backup
center then the Nuggets will have a greatly improved side. Whereas for
the
Toronto Raptors, a lineup featuring playoff veterans (Oakley, Willis and
Van Exel)
 and the enthusiasm of Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, John Wallace just
might
be enough for them to be the biggest improving side in the league. They
have
no reason to move  either Oakley or Willis and depending on how good
their
chemistry can get may sneak into the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference
(if)
Michael Jordan does indeed retire.

This may just be the closest season in NBA history. I'm really looking
forward to it. Each game counts. If a team has a slump for a week then
it'll
be extremely difficult to make up the lost ground, while if you're on
fire
and winning close games then you'll ge going a long way to securing a
playoff
spot and possible home court advantage. I love it when each game counts.

Cheers,

Warwick