2010 Free Agent: Chris Bosh

[lurker23]

If the Spurs had kept plans to have 2010 cap space, then I think Bosh probably would have been their #1 target (after the default #1, LeBron, of course). However, it's doubtful that they could have done it in such a way that they could get a max free agent plus Manu, so the point probably would have been moot anyway.

With the Spurs 99.9999999% out of the mix, I think Bosh ends up in OKC. Bosh and/or the Thunder may view things differently, but I view that as basically a match made in heaven. The main thing the Thunder lacks is good big men. In OKC, Bosh can get his money without having to be the top dog, gets to play with a lot of guys near his age, and isn't that far from Texas.

[lurker23]

If the Spurs had kept plans to have 2010 cap space, then I think Bosh probably would have been their #1 target (after the default #1, LeBron, of course). However, it's doubtful that they could have done it in such a way that they could get a max free agent plus Manu, so the point probably would have been moot anyway.

With the Spurs 99.9999999% out of the mix, I think Bosh ends up in OKC. Bosh and/or the Thunder may view things differently, but I view that as basically a match made in heaven. The main thing the Thunder lacks is good big men. In OKC, Bosh can get his money without having to be the top dog, gets to play with a lot of guys near his age, and isn't that far from Texas.

Sweet, my theory is crashing and burning well before July 1st.

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

Sources: Bosh gives Raptors wish list

CHICAGO -- Chris Bosh's agent has told the Toronto Raptors that he's narrowed his list of preferred teams to five, two sources told ESPN.com's Chad Ford at the NBA draft camp.

The list of five teams -- Toronto plus the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks, sources said -- were given to Toronto management in case the Raptors want to construct a sign-and-trade deal (assuming he doesn't re-sign with Toronto).

Bosh likes that option, sources told Ford, because he'd get one more year on his contract and could make more money.

Sources said the Raptors prefer a sign-and-trade if Bosh is intent on leaving as well. They likely would want a big man to replace the 6-10, 230-pound Bosh in the lineup.

One source said Bosh's decision hinges on where LeBron James signs.

"If LeBron decides to go to either New York or Chicago, I think that's where you'll see Chris land," the source told Ford. "If LeBron stays in Cleveland, I think the process is more wide open."

Bosh, 26, is an unrestricted free agent. He averaged 24 points per game last season and has averaged 20.2 points per game for his career.

---

As a side note, from Chad Ford's twitter account:

"Note on Bosh: Rockets, Mavs, Spurs and Thunder were not on the list his agent gave the Raptors ..."

http://twitter.com/chadfordinsider

[coyotes_geek]

The more I think about it the more I think Brand and the 2nd pick for RJ is more likely than Bosh.

No way in Philly wastes the #2 pick in the draft like that. If the Spurs want to do Brand for RJ without the #2, Philly might be interested. But teams don't give away top 3 draft picks like that.

[DPG21920]

Philly would have to give up the number 2 just to have a shot at unloading Brand. Even then, I don't think teams do it.

[ChuckD]

No way in Philly wastes the #2 pick in the draft like that.

You do know how much Brand is owed AFTER next year, right? The Spurs would essentially be paying $35M for that pick, taking it directly off Philly's books. That's not a giveaway.

Brand is a horrible fit in Philly, much worse than RJ is here, and they owe him a pot of money. He's also got some health red flags, only playing 37 games in the 07-08 and 08-09 seasons, combined. Brand would do better in our slower system, and RJ would do better in Philly's go go system.

If the Spurs want to do Brand for RJ without the #2, Philly might be interested. But teams don't give away top 3 draft picks like that.

The Spurs wouldn't be interested in that at all, and as I explained above, $35M <> giveaway.

[coyotes_geek]

You do know how much Brand is owed AFTER next year, right? The Spurs would essentially be paying $35M for that pick, taking it directly off Philly's books. That's not a giveaway.

Brand is a horrible fit in Philly, much worse than RJ is here, and they owe him a pot of money. He's also got some health red flags, only playing 37 games in the 07-08 and 08-09 seasons, combined. Brand would do better in our slower system, and RJ would do better in Philly's go go system.

The Spurs wouldn't be interested in that at all, and as I explained above, $35M <> giveaway.

No argument that Philly wouldn't mind moving Brand, but they're not going to forfeit the #2 pick to do it. That's just stupid. Teams simply do not give away top 3 draft picks like that. Philly is going to keep that pick, draft someone they think can be the cornerstone of their franchise for a decade and worry about dumping Brand later.

[ChuckD]

No argument that Philly wouldn't mind moving Brand, but they're not going to forfeit the #2 pick to do it. That's just stupid. Teams simply do not give away top 3 draft picks like that. Philly is going to keep that pick, draft someone they think can be the cornerstone of their franchise for a decade and worry about dumping Brand later.

You're falling into the classic trap of thinking that all decisions made by NBA franchises are basketball driven. They are, after all, businesses. You think someone is going to just come along and just White Knight Brand off their books? There is a high cost that will have to be paid for that, and maybe next year, they are sitting at pick #10 or pick #14, and no one wants Brand for that.

Philly is in trouble. They're sliding backwards, they really don't have a franchise guy, they don' have cap room, and they're not going to get better with anyone in this draft not named Wall. Iguodala is at best a weak #2 or strong #3 option on a good team. It wouldn't shock me to see them do a deal with the #2/Brand AND also do a straight salary dump of Iguodala to a spurned FA suitor this summer. Iggy's contract, in many ways, is more foul than Brand's. He's shown that his top end is to lead a team in the weak EC to an ignominous first round exit in the playoffs.

Another thing to consider is that the Spurs wouldn't even be bothering with talking to players in that range if they didn't have a willing party ready to cough up a pick. I haven't found a better mark than Philly.

[lurker23]

coyotes_geek, did you see this story?

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...ping-no-2-pick

A number of teams have already looked into the availability of the Philadelphia 76ers' No. 2 pick in the June 24 draft.

The asking price? Several sources said they were told that the Sixers want their trade partner to take Elton Brand off their hands. Good luck with that. With Brand set to earn $51 million over the course of the next three years, he's virtually impossible to trade.

As much as teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, for instance, love Evan Turner, I don't think they love him that much.

[DPG21920]

I agree with C_G that they won't give up that type of young player just to dump Brand. But that is the only way they can do it.

[coyotes_geek]

You're falling into the classic trap of thinking that all decisions made by NBA franchises are basketball driven. They are, after all, businesses. You think someone is going to just come along and just White Knight Brand off their books? There is a high cost that will have to be paid for that, and maybe next year, they are sitting at pick #10 or pick #14, and no one wants Brand for that.

I know it's a business so I'm not falling in to any trap. If anyone is falling into a trap it's you for thinking that you can simply connect a couple of dots and end up with the conclusion that the sixers would be willing to make a horribly lopsided trade in the Spurs favor. It is a business and wasting the #2 pick like that is horrible business.

Philly is in trouble. They're sliding backwards, they really don't have a franchise guy, they don' have cap room, and they're not going to get better with anyone in this draft not named Wall. Iguodala is at best a weak #2 or strong #3 option on a good team. It wouldn't shock me to see them do a deal with the #2/Brand AND also do a straight salary dump of Iguodala to a spurned FA suitor this summer. Iggy's contract, in many ways, is more foul than Brand's. He's shown that his top end is to lead a team in the weak EC to an ignominous first round exit in the playoffs.

No doubt Philly has problems. Giving away Brand and the #2 pick for Richard Jefferson and Iguodala in a straight salary dump do not solve them.

Another thing to consider is that the Spurs wouldn't even be bothering with talking to players in that range if they didn't have a willing party ready to cough up a pick. I haven't found a better mark than Philly.

Not true. Teams talk to a bunch of players. The Spurs talked to Blair last year even though everyone thought he was going to be drafted in the lottery. Talking to a guy doesn't mean there's a deal in place.

coyotes_geek, did you see this story?

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...ping-no-2-pick

A number of teams have already looked into the availability of the Philadelphia 76ers' No. 2 pick in the June 24 draft.

The asking price? Several sources said they were told that the Sixers want their trade partner to take Elton Brand off their hands. Good luck with that. With Brand set to earn $51 million over the course of the next three years, he's virtually impossible to trade.

As much as teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, for instance, love Evan Turner, I don't think they love him that much.

Everyone is talking to everyone because that's what GM's do this time of year. Philly wanting to move Brand and teams calling Philly about that #2 pick doesn't mean that the Sixers are going to give away that pick for just Richard Jefferson. That being said, i'm 100% in favor of teams making bad deals in our favor, so if it happens I sure as won't be complaining.

[Buddy Holly]

Bosh, Calderon and the number 13 pick for Tony, Jefferson and the number 20 pick.

[Darkwaters]

Bosh, Calderon and the number 13 pick for Tony, Jefferson and the number 20 pick.

Thats actually a fairly realistic scenario that I've seen floating around. I think it would make decent sense for both teams. The Spurs get a big to build around (Bosh), a new starting PG and the pick that will secure Jefferson's replacement. The Raptors get something for Bosh, who would otherwise simply walk, and upgrade at PG while taking a downgrade in a draft that is still very deep and will still reward them with a quality pick even 7 slots lower.

[admiralsnackbar]

Thats actually a fairly realistic scenario that I've seen floating around. I think it would make decent sense for both teams. The Spurs get a big to build around (Bosh), a new starting PG and the pick that will secure Jefferson's replacement. The Raptors get something for Bosh, who would otherwise simply walk, and upgrade at PG while taking a downgrade in a draft that is still very deep and will still reward them with a quality pick even 7 slots lower.

Trouble is Bosh would have to agree to a S&T, and he's already made his desired destinations known. We aren't on the list.