June 22, 2006

TORONTO (CP) -- Toronto Raptors president and GM Bryan Colangelo managed not only to acquire a centre but dump a salary in one fell swoop Wednesday.

Colangelo traded fan favourite Matt Bonner, seldom-used Eric Williams, and a second-round pick in the 2009 draft, to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, in exchange for seven-foot centre Rasho Nesterovic and cash.

Nesterovic is a defensive-minded centre who doesn't need the ball to be effective. (NBAE/Getty Images)

Nesterovic fills a gaping hole for the Raptors, who have been in need of a true centre to help out star forward Chris Bosh. The move also rids the roster of the disgruntled Williams and his contract.

``We've got a lot of needs on this team right now and I think by acquiring a starting centre in the league right now _ he started over 50 games for the team with the second best record in the league _ we're filling a pretty big void on our lineup right now,'' said Colangelo.

In an unrelated move, the team also waived centre Robert Whaley. Whaley was acquired June 8 from Utah, along with forward Kris Humphries, for seldom-used centre Rafael Araujo, the Araujo trade being the first major move in the Colangelo era.

This trade comes a week before the NBA draft, in which the Raptors have the No. 1 pick. The two glaring holes in the Raptors roster were point guard and centre, but Colangelo said Wednesday's deal won't drastically alter how he'll approach the June 28 draft night.

``I think it affects it a little bit, not enough to actually alter the actual selection,'' said Colangelo. ``Obviously we've got many holes to fill on the roster and we're still looking to bring in the best pieces. But we said all along that anybody we get in the draft is likely to help us more in the longterm than in the shortterm.''

The 255-pound Nesterovic has three years left on his contract _ an ideal length, said Colangelo, in terms of future flexibility _ and is due to earn just under $7.3 million US next season.

He'll play alongside Bosh, who's expected to sign a contract extension on July 12. Colangelo spoke to Bosh about his new teammate and believes the two will make for a potent front-court combo.

``Chris wants to win, and he wants us to try to improve this team,'' said Colangelo. ``He wants us to get bigger, stronger, tougher. Rasho is a seven-footer who knows how to push his weight around and be a presence in the middle and block shots and if not block shots, change shots with his length. I think it's going to be a nice fit.''

Nesterovic has played in 548 games, and started in 456. But he had seen his role diminish this past season under coach Gregg Popovich.

The big Slovenian, who was originally acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round (17th overall) of the 1998 NBA draft, has averaged 7.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks over eight seasons in the NBA. He registered career highs of 11.2 points and 30.4 minutes during the 2002-03 season, and 7.7 rebounds per game in 2003-04.

Nesterovic scored a career-high 24 points against the Spurs on November 24, 2001, and grabbed a career-best 15 boards on three occasions, most recently March 5, 2004 versus Dallas. He'd seen his role diminish.

Bonner _ or the Red Rocket, as he was known to his sizable fan following in Toronto _ was due to make $2 million next season. He was acquired from the Chicago Bulls in a trade June 26, 2003, and averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in his two seasons with the Raptors.

Williams, who was acquired from the Jersey Nets in the Vince Carter deal of 2004, was owed $4.3 million US next season. But his role had diminished in Toronto, and he was vocal in his disappointment, publicly demanding a trade on several occasions. In two seasons in Toronto, he averaged 4.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 15.1 minutes.

Colangelo remains tight-lipped about his plans for the draft, although said there are still teams interested in swapping for the No. 1.

``There's tremendous talent at the top of this draft,'' said Colangelo. ``(Texas forward) LaMarcus Aldridge came in and, if anything, confused us even more the other day. You're hoping for one of these guys to come in and stumble. Today, Adam Morrison (Gonzaga), Rudy Gay (Connecticut), Randy Foye (Villanova). . . they all came in and had a great workout. I think we're going to keep everybody guessing.''

The Raptors also took a second look at University of Connecticut forward and Toronto native Denham Brown on Wednesday. The Raptors have the 35th and 56th selections, and Brown is projected to be a high second-round pick.