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I can confirm what the hardcore among you know already: The Raptors and the Mavericks are in talks to work a sign and trade involving Marion and Jerry Stackhouse. In some late night chatter with sources what I gleaned is this is a case of Colangelo trying to do something to help Marion, who otherwise is looking at a mid-level deal, while also steering him away from the Eastern Conference. What the Raptors get out of it isn’t clear: maybe some cash, maybe cash and a pick. But really it’s a case of getting something for nothing if Marion simply walks. There may be a back-end rotation player, but again, details are sketchy. The first $5-million of Stackhouse’s $7-million contract is not guaranteed if he’s waived by August 10th. The Raptors would need to find a way to shed the remaining $2-million to make sure they had money to sign Turkoglu. One thing this does not do is put the Raptors back over the cap and in turn allow them to use the mid-level or biannual exceptions to add more depth.

Some other points: The Raptors have been working hard to find a way to keep either Carlos Delfino or Anthony Parker and of the two my sense is that Parker is the preferred option as part of the backcourt rotation, coming off the bench and picking up some minutes at point guard. He’s also viewed as an ideal mentor for DeRozan. That said there is a lot of money for him in Europe, so it will be a tough trick to pull off.

Also, I’m hearing the Raptors are going to try and bring Turkoglu into town this week, likely either Wednesday or Thursday.