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Raptors Considering LavrinovicThe Toronto Raptors are looking at 24-year-old Kristof Lavrinovic, a 6'10" center who has served prison time for his involvement in a gang rape. The Lithuanian has already told two European media outlets that the Raptors are prepared to offer him a contract when the NBA's signing period begins July 14. "Toronto presented me with a contract," Lavrinovic told a Russian sports Web site, a claim he reiterated in a Lithuanian newspaper. "But according to NBA rules I can't sign until (July 14)." Raptors interim general manager Jack McCloskey said that, while the Raptors are among a number of NBA clubs who "have some interest" in Lavrinovic, they have yet to make him an offer. "He's getting ahead of himself," McCloskey said by phone from his home at Skidaway Island, Ga. "We can't (sign him right now) and we're not sure we're going to." "(The rape conviction) concerns me enough that we're going to investigate," McCloskey said. "That's one of the things we'd certainly have to look at and consider ... (but) if he's paid his debt to society. ... Once we talk to him face-to-face that's an opportunity to evaluate (his character) even more." Said Jim Kelly, the Raptors' director of scouting: "There has been no proposal on our part. (Lavrinovic) has got some background issues. "We'll have to look at the whole picture. ... But we don't have a general manager." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Vince Carter's Mom Runs the RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors have the 8th pick of the draft but still no GM. Vince Carter on the other hand is attempting to help speed of the process by dropping Julias Ervings name into the hat. "If they feel that (Erving's) not the one, well then he's not the one. But I think now it's time to really buckle down and find somebody. Because this affects the whole summer. Without having a GM in place, or a coach, or both ... you need to collaborate on who we're drafting, what we're going after, free agents — you don't really have anybody to go after these guys." Carter was asked how he came to be in touch with Erving, with whom he has spoken about the GM job. At first he said, "I don't have the slightest idea." Then he laughed. "My mom just said, `Hey, here's Dr. J's number — give him a call.' I was like, `Who? Yeah, sounds good to me.'" It was former Raptors tough guy Charles Oakley who once said of Michelle Carter, "Vince's mom runs the team — she's the GM." If Erving does get to be the next Raptors GM it just solidifes Michelle Carter's posiition as the woman calling all the shots in Toronto. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Araujo's Stock is RisingBrigham Young University’s Rafael Araujo has seen a big jump in his stock with NBA general managers over the last few weeks. The scouts are mightily impressed after several individual workouts. “They always say you do really well,” the center said. "Who knows what they're really thinking. That's all just talk. I'll believe it June 24.” Araujo will work out wit the Jazz today and will then will leave tonight to do the same for the Lakers and Raptors. At 6'11" and 296 pounds, Araujo was slated as a possible first-round selection but he's displayed excellent skill in workout drills. Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Raptors May 2004 Archive
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