Todd Sumlin
The Toronto Raptors have been defeated by Michael Jordan again.
The former Chicago Bulls star turned Charlotte Bobcats owner apparently nixed a proposed trade that would have seen the Raptors send guard Jose Calderon and forward Reggie Evans to the Bobcats for centre Tyson Chandler and forward Boris Diaw, according to multiple published reports.
As of Monday the players involved had been told they were being dealt, though executives from both teams declined to confirm the trade when contacted by The Globe and Mail
But Monday night word began to leak out that the trade was being reconsidered with Jordan concerned about parting with Chandler, a defensively minded centre who has had health problems the past two seasons, but is among the NBA's best rebounders when healthy. As well, his $13.1-million salary comes off the books this season and may prove to be a bargaining asset that could net something more at the trade deadline.
The two teams were scheduled to have a conference call around noon to salvage the deal, but without success.
Also not on board with the prospect was Bobcats head coach Larry Brown, who -- sources told The Globe and Mail -- was "not happy, not happy at all" when he heard about the proposed trade.
Calls to Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins and Brown were not returned Tuesday, while Raptors president Bryan Colangelo was not available to comment.
The Raptors are said to be moving forward with a trade with Phoenix that would see Hedo Turkoglu sent to the Suns in exchange for Leandro Barbosa, but the club has not confirmed that trade either.