John Salmons Steps Away From Deal With Raptors

John Salmons won’t be playing for the Toronto Raptors. At least not any time soon.

A week after the Philadelphia 76ers swingman agreed to a five-year, $23 million deal with Toronto, Salmons stepped away from the contract, citing concerns about his future role with the team.

“Upon reviewing the basketball situation in Toronto, John decided it’s not the best fit for him,” his agent, Joel Bell, said in a statement.

“In a very stressful and tough decision, he decided he could not accept the opportunity to play for the Raptors, even though he was excited about the prospect of being in Toronto.”

Toronto Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo was quick to express his disappointment with losing Salmons, who was to be acquired in a sign-and-trade for a 2007 second round draft pick and a $2 million trade exception.

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out, I wish him the best,” Colangelo said.

Colangelo has also said, however, that he has several other potential trade scenarios in the works and does not expect he’ll have too much trouble filling the roster spot that would have been Salmons’.

Clearly the versatile 6’6″ combo-guard had concerns over just how much playing time he would get on a Raptors roster filled with new, young players.

Still, some have questioned the logic of the move, since after turning down an offer from the Phoenix Suns and having his qualifier rescinded by Philadelphia, he now has no guaranteed deal anywhere for 2006-07.