http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2806/jose-calderon

Thanks to Kurtis W for bringing earlier attention to this possibility.

Since Toronto traded with Houston to pick-up Kyle Lowry, Calderon becomes more than expendable. He has just one year and $10.5 million left on his contract. He's 30 yrs old which makes him more than just a mentor for Lilliard, without demanding too much playing time though.

Over the last few years he's averaged 10 pnts @ 48%, 88% ft, 38% 3pnt, 8 Assists w/ 2 TO, 3 reb.

With an unbalanced trade of Nolan Smith and Luke Babbit (not sure of the unbal trade parameters: $10.5 vs $3.5 mill) we would still have 4 million under the cap to sign a center. Przy at $2mill ??

This deal allows the utilization of the the Batum cap count of $5.5 mill instead of $11.5 if we don't use that cap space now. This deal gives Toronto something for their overstocked veteran guard position (versus getting nothing next year when Calderon becomes UFA) frees cap space for them, gives them a young backup guard in Smith. And for the Blazers, Jose is a great asset that drops $10.5 mill off the books next year if we wish, or is great January trade ship if Lilliard is all we hoped by then.

Other ideas? Are you ok losing Smith and Babbit at this point?

See the Poll after the jump