Bosh will be key piece of Rockets' puzzle

[spursfaninla]

As for Bosh wanting to go to Houston, I don't see it. Bosh can go play with Wade in Miami, Rose in Chicago, maybe even Lebron in New York. There's far better situations for Bosh than going to a Houston team with Kevin Martin and a perennially injured Yao.

and

This is where we absolutely disagree. Bosh won't get traded to Houston unless Toronto is happy with package of players/picks it gets in return. Without Toronto's cooperation, he can't get more than the MLE from Houston. Toronto will be paid for their cooperation or they'll tell him to find another team.

Superstar 1-2 punch teams make the NBA go. However, since the Spurs did it with 3, the arms race began a few years ago and teams load up with 2-3 all-star level players. Houston is doing it the old school way with a bunch of good players. Yao is all-star level, but do you risk 5 years of your career on his health? No thank you.

Sign and Trade is historically a very rare way to get a superstar deal done. Teams typically are so bitter about losing their franchise guy that they kick them in the ass on the way out, and start rebuilding. The odds of that are slim.

Chicago and Miami look like likely, important destinations for either of Wade or Bosh. I think Bulls do best with Bosh, and imagine if Dirk also leaves and teams with wade in Miami.

[djohn2oo8]

J.A. Adande, ESPN.com: All the Raptors ask from Bosh is for him to give them a heads-up if he plans to leave so they can work out a sign-and-trade. It would help Bosh too because he'd get more money. The Raptors aren't looking for expiring contracts, so teams with salary-cleared depleted rosters -- such as Miami and New York -- could actually fall out.

John Hollinger, ESPN.com: I think he's gone; it's just a question of whether Toronto does it by sign-and-trade (more likely) or Bosh walks on his own (less likely). I think there's going to be a feeding frenzy because teams know that unlike LeBron or Wade, there's a real strong chance Bosh will leave. In addition to teams with cap space, I expect several contenders to try to get involved with sign-and-trade proposals. There are too many balls in play to figure out exactly where he'll end up, but I'm thinking the closer to Texas you go, the greater the odds.

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/p...423/chris-bosh

[Mel_13]

Toronto has no leverage here, Bosh and Toronto already agreed to work on a sign and trade, If Bosh wants to go to Houston, Toronto can't tell him to look for another team because they don't like what they get. If he is intent on playing here, then Toronto HAS to accept the offer. Or, they could lose him for nothing.

I disagree on many points, but I will focus on the essential one.

You state that Bosh and Toronto have agreed to work on a sign and trade. I have also read reports to that effect. What you take away from those reports is that Toronto has committed to deal with Bosh's first choice no matter what.

What I took away is that Bosh will give Toronto more than one team to deal with so that the team can get reasonable value in return.

If Bosh only gives them Houston to deal with, of course Toronto has leverage. Bosh will not sign for the MLE, so Houston will have to provide an agreeable package of assets to make the deal happen.

[Mel_13]

The Raptors aren't looking for expiring contracts,

but I'm thinking the closer to Texas you go, the greater the odds.

1. Yet you propose a Rocket package of expiring contracts plus Hill, Taylor, and a draft pick.

2. Dallas is in Texas

[coyotes_geek]

Toronto has no leverage here, Bosh and Toronto already agreed to work on a sign and trade, If Bosh wants to go to Houston, Toronto can't tell him to look for another team because they don't like what they get. If he is intent on playing here, then Toronto HAS to accept the offer. Or, they could lose him for nothing. A Knicks first rounder, Jordan Hill (Which has been stated that they want him in a deal) Jermaine Taylor, and possibly Trevor Ariza. Also they can't forcefeed Hedo on anyone.

Toronto doesn't have to take Houston's offer because they're really not at risk of losing him for nothing. Even if Bosh wants to go to a team that has cap room the Raptors can still work a sign and trade with that team and come away with a fat trade exception. Bosh will go along with it because he gets more money. If Toronto doesn't like Houston's offer they can tell Bosh to tell Houston to sweeten their offer or go find another team.

[djohn2oo8]

1. Yet you propose a Rocket package of expiring contracts plus Hill, Taylor, and a draft pick.

2. Dallas is in Texas

Ariza isn't expiring, Toronto really likes Hill, and Taylor is a good prospect

2) Dirk would have to leave for Bosh to go to Dallas

[Mel_13]

Ariza isn't expiring, Toronto really likes Hill, and Taylor is a good prospect

2) Dirk would have to leave for Bosh to go to Dallas

Why would Toronto want Ariza when they are already massively overpaying Hedo to play SF?

Why would Dirk have to leave?

[Shank]

Ariza isn't expiring, Toronto really likes Hill, and Taylor is a good prospect

2) Dirk would have to leave for Bosh to go to Dallas

Maybe lineup-wise. But financially, he wouldn't need to.

[djohn2oo8]

Why would Toronto want Ariza when they are already massively overpaying Hedo to play SF?

Why would Dirk have to leave?

Lineup wise, Dirk and Bosh would be redundant, when they need a slasher/scorer type.

[Mel_13]

Lineup wise, Dirk and Bosh would be redundant, when they need a slasher/scorer type.

If Yao goes down again, than it will be Bosh at center, and Scola at PF.

So Dirk and Bosh won't work, but Bosh and Scola will?

Ok

[Mel_13]

Plus there's one thing Dallas can do that Houston absolutely cannot.

Dallas can make one of Toronto's horrible contracts (Hedo and Calderon) completely disappear by including Dampier in a trade. Houston can't match that.

[djohn2oo8]

Plus there's one thing Dallas can do that Houston absolutely cannot.

Dallas can make one of Toronto's horrible contracts (Hedo and Calderon) completely disappear by including Dampier in a trade. Houston can't match that.

It has been mentioned that Bosh would feel uncomfortable playing in Dallas, so that's a no go

[Mel_13]

It has been mentioned that Bosh would feel uncomfortable playing in Dallas, so that's a no go

Link to where Bosh ever said he would be uncomfortable in Dallas? There was a ESPN Insider headline last summer that said something like that, but it linked back to a DMN story that said no such thing.

In fact, the only city that I've seen him mention as a place in which he does feel comfortable is Toronto.

[lakaluva's mom]

Today, ESPN's Marc Stein mentioned the possibility that Bosh could be playing for Houston next season. From the article:



The Rockets' No. 1 free-agent target? Sources say it's still Bosh, who earlier this season said the idea of playing in his hometown of Dallas holds limited appeal ... but hasn't said anything to suggest that he wouldn't play somewhere else in his home state.

If the Raptors and Bosh reach the expected conclusion that it's time for an amicable divorce, Houston has amassed an enticing cache of sign-and-trade assets. One source, offering one small example, says that the Raptors are intrigued by young forward Jordan Hill, whom the Rockets extracted from the Knicks in the Tracy McGrady three-way deal in February.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...he-rockets.php

FWIW, But I'll believe Marc Stein over Ric Bucher any day

[noob cake]

Bosh playing with Dirk means that he will have to player center since Dirk is not exactly center material.

Beside Bosh wants his own team. Dirk at this stage of his career is still > Bosh.

[Shank]

Would Bosh be able to operate as Lamar Odom does? Wouldn't a Dirk-Bosh-Haywood front court be doable, if so?

[Mel_13]

You gotta love it when fans try to convince themselves that their preferred outcome is also the most likely outcome. Let's see:

Bosh playing with Dirk means that he will have to player center since Dirk is not exactly center material.

If Yao isn't healthy, Bosh would have to play center in Houston.

Beside Bosh wants his own team. Dirk at this stage of his career is still > Bosh.

If Yao is healthy, it's still Yao's team.


Therefore, logic dictates that if Bosh wants to play PF on his own team he would choose a destination other than Houston.

[noob cake]

You gotta love it when fans try to convince themselves that their preferred outcome is also the most likely outcome. Let's see:

If Yao isn't healthy, Bosh would have to play center in Houston.

If Yao is healthy, it's still Yao's team.

Therefore, logic dictates that if Bosh wants to play PF on his own team he would choose a destination other than Houston.

Everyone on this board seems to assume that Yao will still be injured next season. Even if Yao is injured again, we'll play Hayes or Anderson at center. Bosh is an upgrade over Scola no matter how you spin it.

[redzero]

Damn, I want Bosh on my team so bad. Sadly, the Hornets have David West.

[Kai]

I'd say that the team that will most likely get Bosh is the team that Bosh wants to go to. Since none of us actually know the guy, we don't necessarily know he wouldn't want to play with a team like the Nets or whatever. Only time will tell.

I'm not saying Bosh will necessarily go to his preferred team, but I would consider it the biggest hurdle to clear in the process. So if he were to choose Houston, I believe that the Rockets would have the a very good shot at him, but wouldn't necessarily get him, considering the lack of cap room in the organization.

[Mel_13]

I'd say that the team that will most likely get Bosh is the team that Bosh wants to go to. Since none of us actually know the guy, we don't necessarily know he wouldn't want to play with a team like the Nets or whatever. Only time will tell.

I'm not saying Bosh will necessarily go to his preferred team, but I would consider it the biggest hurdle to clear in the process. So if he were to choose Houston, I believe that the Rockets would have the a very good shot at him, but wouldn't necessarily get him, considering the lack of cap room in the organization.

Finally, the voice of reason.

[The Franchise]

I have no idea where he's headed, but let's just assume he chooses Houston. Hill (young prospect on a cheap contract), Jeffries & Battier (expirings), Our 2011 first round pick (can swap with NY), and NY 2012 first round pick is going to be a hard package to match for any team. The flexibility this package gives Toronto is second to none.

That leaves us with this team:

Yao/14th pick (Solomon Alabi )
Bosh/Scola
Ariza/Budinger
Martin/Taylor or MLE
Brooks/Lowry

Miami and Chicago are a better situation? You must be ing mad! This Houston team would have a weapon at every position in the starting lineup, and on the bench. We would be a matchup problem for every team in the league. Who you gonna double off of? Plus we would have enough frontcourt depth to rest Yao the entire year which would only help us to keep him healthy. Chicago and Miami just don't have the depth to put as good a team on the floor as Houston would. You really think Adelman can't make that work easily? By the time the playoffs arrived next year that team would be firing on all cylinders. I don't give a who wins this year, that Houston team would be the favorites to take their crown. Bosh would be the perfect fit in Houston. Anybody not willing to admit how monstrous that team would be had better hope their team is in the east if that S&T ing happens.

[Cane]

Tony Parker/RJ/McDyess for Bosh?

[JayJaay]

Found this on the General forum over at RealGm and by way of Clutchfans as well:

Interesting interview by D. Morey on Houston radio this morning. If you monitor Clutchfans like I am doing now I have noticed they have a habit of loosely transcribing or "highlighting" all the interviews the Houston personell give on all the sports radio stations down there. Today Morey was on this station:

http://www.790kbme.com/main.html

and gave an interview about what is up for the future of the Rockets. Here are the highlights that contains a very interesting piece of information:

Morey was on 790 this morning and while most of the conversation was just back and forth banter and largely irrelevant, some interesting notes:

1) Team is likely to move from their draft position again as they like to maximize assets. Whether up or down or out is unclear.

2) Team will definitely pay luxury tax next year.

3) Team will definitely use the MLE this offseason. Edit: Also said that the entire MLE will be taxed.

4) Les has given Morey the go ahead to take on big contracts if need be to get a star player. He is all in and only asks that Morey "be smart" with the money, but has given him no limitations. The question was obviously a reference to Turkey Glue.

First lol at what they are calling Turkoglu but more intrestingly it doesn't look like his inclusion in a deal (or maybe that of Calderon if they go in another direction) for Bosh would be a dealbreaker.

Here is where they are discussing the interview:
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=186006

Here is a link to the interview if you want to listen to it for yourself : (fast forward to the 10:30 mark to find the highlights from above.)
http://www.790kbme.com/mediaplayer/?...e=MattAdam.xml

[Mel_13]

Toronto has no leverage here, Bosh and Toronto already agreed to work on a sign and trade, If Bosh wants to go to Houston, Toronto can't tell him to look for another team because they don't like what they get. If he is intent on playing here, then Toronto HAS to accept the offer. Or, they could lose him for nothing. A Knicks first rounder, Jordan Hill (Which has been stated that they want him in a deal) Jermaine Taylor, and possibly Trevor Ariza. Also they can't forcefeed Hedo on anyone.

I disagree on many points, but I will focus on the essential one.

You state that Bosh and Toronto have agreed to work on a sign and trade. I have also read reports to that effect. What you take away from those reports is that Toronto has committed to deal with Bosh's first choice no matter what.

What I took away is that Bosh will give Toronto more than one team to deal with so that the team can get reasonable value in return.

If Bosh only gives them Houston to deal with, of course Toronto has leverage. Bosh will not sign for the MLE, so Houston will have to provide an agreeable package of assets to make the deal happen.

Sources: Bosh gives Raptors wish list

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5208043