Willie

Solomon

Solomon, whose contract is up at the end of the season, had played just once in the last seven games while slowed by shoulder and back trouble.

He’s 30 years old and is coming off a solid Euroleague season with Turkey’s Fenerbache, where he averaged 17.9 points and 3.9 assists in 21 Euroleague games. He gives the Raps a full roster, and a third point guard, heading into the season, but won’t offer much fantasy value. Then again, no one thought Jamario Moon would see the light of day with the team last season, either.

He’s 30 years old and is coming off a solid Euroleague season with Turkey’s Fenerbache, where he averaged 17.9 points and 3.9 assists in 21 Euroleague games. He was a second-round pick of the Grizzlies in ’01 and played in 62 games with Memphis that season. He shouldn’t offer fantasy value this year, but does give the Raptors a full roster, and a third point guard, heading into the season.

“There was a big difference from (Friday) to (yesterday),” said Calderon. “I was shooting the ball, I was doing more stuff. Good news.” We still wouldn’t pencil him in as a guarantee to start, but it at least sounds like a possibility. Will Solomon will start if Calderon is not able to go today.

“Will Solomon (sore hamstring) hasn’t been practicing so right now Roko will get those minutes,” said coach Sam Mitchell. Unless starter Jose Calderon gets injured, Ukic won’t have value in average leagues.

On the down side he also committed five turnovers and hit just 3-of-11 shots. Unless you own Jose Calderon, you probably don’t even know who Solomon is, but he is battling with Roko Ukic for the back up point guard job in Toronto. Ukic played just eight minutes for two points.

That may make it tough for the Raptors to have enough guys available for 5-on-5 scrimmages in practice, but has no fantasy impact.

Will Solomon played well in a start on Sunday, but his value will last only as long as Calderon is sidelined. Keep Calderon benched for now, though it sounds like he’s on the verge of returning.

Calderon was questionable coming into the game, but the Raptors obviously aren’t going to take any chances with their prized PG. Will Solomon will get another start but his value can be measured in days. Calderon remains day-to-day.

“I’m close,” Calderon said on Tuesday. “The problem is, in the game, I cannot react.” Start him at your own risk...if he can’t play, Will Solomon will get his third consecutive start at PG.