Raptors and Tyler Hansbrough Close to Deal
By Brad Rowland
The world-famous “Psycho T” could be headed north of the border for his future employment.
ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting that the Toronto Raptors and free-agent forward Tyler Hansborough are finalizing a multi-year contract according to the always-promising “sources with knowledge of the talks”. While the details of the potential deal are fuzzy at this point, the Raptors could certainly use the services of another solid big man and Hansborough’s former team, the Indiana Pacers, seem to be hamstrung by the $12 million per year contract they just signed with David West.
Hansborough has been exactly what most people expected him to be after he defected from North Carolina. He has a solid career PER of 15.4 to go along with 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game over 4 seasons in the league. He’s a pure energy player who annoys both the opposition and some fans, but guys who perform dirty work (Hansborough is great at this) as well as get to the free throw line (7 attempts per 36 minutes) can be very valuable in the league.
It would be a mistake by Toronto to give him any “real” money, but if the deal is cheap as many expect, he can provide quality depth behind Jonas Valanciunas, Amir Johnson, and company on the Raptors’ front-line next season while fulfilling his destiny as one of the most recognizable energy guys in the Association.