Preparing for a Bosh-free future

Okay, what am I missing here?

Last week, the night of the draft, Bryan Colangelo sat at the podium discussing Ed Davis and whatever else was on his mind and said, and I quote:

“I’m not going to sit here and tell you I’m confident Chris is coming back.”

Last night, I understand he went on the radio and said it’s not likely that Chris is coming back and all heck breaks loose?

Semantics, people. Old news.

Here’s the deal: Barring some seismic shift in the NBA landscape, Chris Bosh is not returning to Toronto. He’s gone. Out of here. Entirely by his choice, mind you. But it’s bye-bye. Finished. So long. See ya.

The radio revelation was nothing, I have the feeling the Raptor hierarchy has felt for weeks that they’d better start hoping Bosh wants to go somewhere there’s a really good sign-and-trade deal possible because the “coming back” ship has sailed.

So, what next?

Well, I can assure you the front office is doing its due diligence on a handful of places he might land – nothing official, mind you; but checking contracts and fits and what have you – because the time has come to get ready to move.

Trouble is, I don’t see fits in either of the top two destinations, Miami and Chicago.

There is zero interest in Michael Beasley, there is no way in the world the Bulls are giving up Joakim Noah (although I hear Kirk Hinrich might have been a person of interest) and you’re looking at bits and pieces and trade exceptions if either of those franchises are the Bosh landing spot, I can imagine.

But the thing is: They are prepared to move on and everyone else should be, too.

I guess the door isn’t absolutely closed on a Bosh return but I’ve got it at 1-99 at the moment.

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So, what of Bosh?

Let me say this: Not only won’t he be The Man if he goes to the Heat or the Bulls, if he goes to either city with LeBron, as some reports indicate, he’s won’t even be second fiddle.

He’ll be the third guy on a three-man team and that runs counter to everything he’s said and, to me, says something about him.

And maybe he realizes it as the free agent season opens, maybe he says, “hey, wait, I’m me, I cannot thrive in the shadow of LeBron and Dwyane or LeBron and Rose” and decides one of the five or six other suitors are a better fit.

I can imagine the Raptors are hoping that, too, because there are far better sign-and-trades out there elsewhere than there are with the Heat and Bulls.

We’ll get into them tomorrow because I need to figure out what those other teams are.

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Now, this was a classic moment in sports bar history.

Post-grad (yes, Super Son got the piece of paper and got out of there before they’d realized what he did, taking with him the Music Award in what was a first in the history of Clan Smith) I drop Super Uncle off home and decide to wander into this Real Sports place down by the arena.

Good spot, bazillions of TVs, exceptional wait staff, and as Pucks-centric a moment as I’ve ever experienced.

They’ve got this ginormous TV above the back bar (I prefer the quieter front one, actually) and about 10 p.m. on Monday, after the Jays game as over, what was it showing? NCAA hockey.

Taped, old, who-gives-a-rat’s-bum NCAA hockey.

Air Force vs. Connecticut, I believe.

Surely in the name of all that is good in world someone just momentarily lost the clicker, I’m hoping.

Unreal.

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To get ready for the summer league, the Heroes Of The Harcourt are holding a mini-camp here for whatever team they put together starting about July 6 at the Air Canada Centre, I think it is.

It’ll be the usual suspects – DeRozan, Weems, Davis, Alabi, Dorsey and whatever other free agents they’ve plucked out of the ether – and one other guy.

Jarrett Jack.

Yeah, I’m told, as of now, Jack not only plans to come back to take part in the two-day practice session but that he’s probably going out to Vegas, too, just to hang around with the guys who are there.

Kind of impressive, no?

Now, I still think there’s a possibility he’s somewhere else when training camp starts but it seems as long as he’s a Raptor, he’s really a Raptor.

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Spain-Portugal? Could be epic.

Hope the writing’s mostly done by then because if it is, I think there might be a chance to sneak away and check out the last – and possibly best – game of the round of 16.

Who do we like?

I’m big on Spain for the usual vacuous reasons, I’ve been there, love Madrid, love Barcelona and a nice glass of Sangria never hurt. Not to mention the food.

Yep, I choose my sides carefully and after much deliberation.

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Ryan Gomes.

Like him?

Not sure how many of you have been following what’s going on with him but the serviceable backup (who I quite like as a player, by the by) was traded from Minnesota to Portland and will either be traded or waived by 3 p.m. Tuesday to save the Blazers some money because his contract is not fully guaranteed if he’s released by that time.

I will tell you this: I know from league sources that the Raptors have made a call to see if there’s a trade fit and while it’s doubtful that gets done (it’s in Portland’s best interest, really, to waive him) I know Toronto will see if it can get something done with him in free agency.

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What the heck, let’s get this started early this week because I’ll have some down time waiting for calls to returned and comments to be posted.

If you want to get into the mailbag, click here. But I caution you, by the time it gets up Sunday morning, free agency will be underway so maybe that’s not a topic for questions right now.

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Comments

[Hedon't]

Bryan Colangelo needs to be fired he's destroyed this franchise.
Me and my family are seriously considering canceling our season
tickets if he is not fired soon. His tenure as GM has been nothing short
of a disaster. If the Raps were smart they would snatch up Pritchard from
Portland before it's to late. The Raps need to do a proper Rebuild and since
Colangelo is on a contract year expect him to do another patch job and have
the team fighting for the 8th seed.

[dribbles]

Totally agree on Bosh's doublespeak regarding wanting to be the top banana but seemingly willing to play with any of Lebron, Wade or Kobe. That's never made sense to me. Regardless, it's his life and career and if he walks for nothing it's all on BC. Bosh never made any promises as far as I know and I hope he's never booed playing in the ACC.

[Lawrence]

2 days and nothing on Sam?
If its anybody's news, its Doug Smith's news.

[Steve G]

Good job today Doug. I really liked the Gomes segment.

Again proving your "critics" wrong in that if you hear something from sources you'll divulge the info! I think Gomes could be a great peice off the bench here next year.

I know its impossible to predict, but how much do you think he would cost? (what's he make now?)

Blogger's note: Couldn't guess a cost in the next deal; he's got three years and about $14 million left on the deal he'll be waived under

[Jeff]

If he has to go, please please please make it this S&T:

"The Lakers are expected to offer Andrew Bynum, a legitimate low post center, and Lamar Odom, and take back Jarrett Jack,"

And yes i know Sam Smith is often full of BS, and likely is just dreaming this one up too...but Raptor fans would be very excited about such a deal.

[Mauro]

I live well in a post Bush era, I will survive a post Bosh era as well. :)

[G Keeping]

"He’ll be the third guy on a three-man team and that runs counter to everything he’s said and, to me, says something about him."

What is this "something"? Maybe he's sick of playing a team that traditionally sits in the bottom 1/3rd of the league for the last 15 years. Maybe he's sick of a GM content on overhauling the roster with mediocre talent year after year? His numbers are great, he's been nothing but class all the while he's been in Toronto and has played his heart out. He's got money and now he has a chance to win muliple titles and become part of a dynasty if things play out as they've been rumored. I find it sad that you take cheap shots at him now.

Toronto had 7 seasons to put something around Bosh and failed miserably. They've spent more time over the last 2 seasons talking about a sign and trade than they have resigning him and I don't think that has done anything to further their cause. They will be lucky to draft a player of his caliber no matter where they pick over the next 3-4 years.

[Skiff]

Classic Raptors...a third of the league is talking about signing LBJ, Wade, Bosh, Johnson, Amare, et al....we're looking at Ryan Gomes. Reason # 17 and counting why BC should be let go. He built what looks to be a bad team for 4 straight years. Sigh...

Blogger's note: Hang on sec; nowhere does it suggest Ryan Gomes is the only guy they're looking at. Yeesh

[erc]

Let's hope we don't ever boo Bosh. He was the 'face of the franchise' long before he was ready for it, and has done a good job on and off court.
I disagree with some things Doug Smith believes, BUT long ago, he was saying that no one player can lead a team to the top by himself and that it mattered greatly what pieces they brought in to supplement CB.
People seem to forget that just a couple short seasons ago, Kobe wanted out of LA because he couldn't win with the existing cast. Bosh has never had proper support and has decided to take the easy way out. Not admirable, but certainly human. Who among us, hasn't?
Re-building time -- We are Raptors fans. We do not NEED a winner right away. That's proved by the fact we're still Raptors fans. What we DO need is the expectation that the team will get better and the FACT that they compete almost every night.
European, American, Australian -- who cares. We're just really tired of allegedly pro basketball players who can disappear in a game faster than Harry Blackstone and who refuse to to the grunt work.
Give us a young, energetic team that can some day be very good. We haven't had that in awhile. Shoot, we haven't had that EVER.

[Derek S]

Hi Doug,
I've emailed a couple of times in the past, trying to understand the Raps "salary cap situation" and still having a hard time understanding how these rules work.

Given how much money Bosh is getting paid currently, I'd assumed that if he left (with no S&T), that we'd have that money to spend on someone else, but apparently thats not the case.

Blogger's note: No, it's not. WIth other salary obligations, what's called a "cap hold" on Bosh and other free agents, there is only the mid-level exception to spend.
In one of your columns, when you have a chance, can you give us a breakdown of the players the Raps have under contract, and how much salary each one is for next year (showing us who's getting what, and what players are putting us over the cap)?

Also, just my sense, but I get the impression more and more that the Raps don't really want Bosh back (maybe they don't want to pay him max money?) It seems like some time ago they just "gave up" and conceded not only that he was going, but also that they'd give him a S&T (which Cleveland apparently told Lebron they would not do).

I know you've said previously that public campaigns and sales pitches orchestrated by the team and the city are silly and useless, but if the player is vain and shallow (which I think is certainly possible with Bosh who seems to love any and all attention he can get), maybe those type of things do have an influence on the player. Not saying the Raps should have spent alot of money on something like that, but they probably could have done some PR things relatively inexpensively, that might have played to his "I'm a celebrity" ego.

[Ben]

Doug, I'm sure this will be on your list, but as Bryan alluded to, he's not against grabbing a trade exception, which could almost work itself out as pure cap space.

What about Taj Gibson (and maybe a pick?) and an exception? He's certainly not going to replace Bosh, but he's young, big, had a pretty decent rookie year, and would give us yet another young player to add to a growing core.

[Andrew]

Personally, I'm excited about the Raptors for the first time in many years. No more of this false hope, or high expectation. To me ... this is when you really need a guy like Brian running the show, when you lack a big name superstar, and you're building around a team of young energetic athletic guys. I hope to see a 'basketball team' created over the next few seasons much like the Atlanta Hawks. Develop a bunch of young guys, throw in a few good veterans/leaders, and create some fun basketball that is rooted in defence and shot blocking. Say I'm playing devil's advocate, or tell me I know nothing, but the truth of the matter is that Bosh was not a true leader in my humble opinion (at least on the defensive end where it matters). It was time to rebuild any way you slice it. Oh yeah ... and the Bargnani progression should continue at its slow pace, but at least there is progression. Maybe this is his opportunity to be more assertive and step up. I'm happy for Bosh, he deserves to play for a contender, hopefully he lands in Houston close to home. Lets not forget that he did give the Raptors a shot and resigned a few summers ago. Good guy, wish him luck.

[Jeff]

Doug, I have to assume that most of your posters are 15 yrs old. Great job putting up with so much nonsense here every week!

[MJB]

Me and my family are seriously considering canceling our season
tickets if he is not fired soon.
----

ya, I bet they will listen to your family, right?

get real. bosh is overrated and he is going to hear so many boos he wont be able to think

[MJB]

for those ripping on BC - remember how we should have made the playoffs but the TEAM played terrible for that stretch? BC doesn't play on the court. There were countless games where we should have won (which would have slid us into 8th) but failed. point your fingers at the players for once - BOSH mostly, he died out by the end of the season because he knew he wasnt coming back. HEDO as well, what a loser.

[Tiger]

Anyone remember being so excited Christmas morning that you just had to sneak down and start opening your goodies before the rest of the family got up?
And how did you feel later in the day when your brothers and sisters were gleefully opening their stuff and you had nothing left?
Worst of all, the toys they got were always better.
Which is to say all this draft and free agent nonsense is as interesting as watching other kids get better toys.
At least my favourite toys didn't walk out on me.

[Steven]

Considering the favourites to land Bosh are Miami and Chicago and since those teams do not have or will not give up any players the Raptors want, is it possible to receive, other than trade exceptions, more than one first round draft pick or do NBA rules prohibit a team from trading more than one? I would hope from Miami they could get their own pick back plus Miami's first pick and two or three second round picks as Miami has accumulated a few that could be used to move up to the first round in future drafts.

[Joseph]

Bosh is seriously overrated. Have you guys followed Elton Brand's career? Both are serious stat packers and dare I say Elton Brand was a much better defender than Bosh. They look great on paper but look at their true value to their teams. All losers. I'm not a huge D-Wade fan but with the scraps that he plays with, he took the team on his shoulders and took them into the playoffs. Where was Bosh? Missing that gimme at the buzzer of that Golden State game? Whenever he goes up against a quality team, you almost forget that CB4 is on the floor cause he plays like a POB when it counts! Finally the Raptors most predictable ISO play could be used less and the offense can be a lot more creative! Can't wait for the POST BOSH ERA!

[Skiff]

Doug, I didn't say we're only looking at Gomes either, just that it's funny that so many teams at least are dreaming about top tier free agents and we're not even getting speculation about someone that's maybe an above average player. If the Raptors are thinking about some good players, let's hear it.

Frankly, with Bosh gone, who in their right mind would sign here short of just wanting to get the cash. And we know how that works out...ahem, Turk! Throw in the at most, 30 cents on the dollar we'll get in a S&T for Bosh and this team has the makings of an absolutely brutal year. As a Raps fan, one thing I can recognize easily is a bad team...and that's what we're looking at right now.

So BC gets fired next summer due to 4 straight losing seasons...why wait if there are good people available? Who cares if Pritchard is a bad manager...this is a sport, so the only relevant question is, can he build a successful team. The rest is BS...we all work with bad managers. Maybe if results mattered more than happy feelings in the office the Raps wouldn't be where they are.

(Sorry this sounds so negative...it's not meant to be, I just feel saddened by what this team has become).

[Dave]

Bosh said what it would take to get him to resign with the Raptors.

Does this mean they won't go over the cap after all and get that 3 he wanted? They where willing to go over the cap to resign and put a good team for next year. If no Bosh does that mean more of the same. Under the cap and not making the playoffs?

Did you ask him what his plans are?

[Pain777PAS]

Gasol has got two championships under his belt. Bosh is COMPARABLE to Gasol in every single way only I think Bosh has a quicker first step and Gasol is a better passer. If he plays with either Lebron or Wade distribution and easy buckets are guaranteed. If he plays with Rose and Lebron the game is going to be easy for him and very difficult for the defensive coaches. I really can't wait to see how this all plays out because a new Celtics could arise and win in their first year together. All of these guys played together for the US so they know what each other can do. The Raptors are in the muck of muddy waters right now. What can they do this season but put something on the floor try to make it work and develop through the draft. Best case scenario is they snag Amare or Joe or CP3 somehow which would be epic what is the likelyhood of that happening without Bosh? To me not likely. Happy for the NBA on a whole though because the anticipation is exciting. Doug aren't you kinda enjoying this and what do you see in the Raptors future beyond the development of Davis, Albi, Demar and Weens?

Blogger's note: Enjoying it? I'd rather be enjoying a summer on my deck

[marc in Panama]

Hola Doug,

"and he is going to hear so many boos he won't be able to think"

Why would anybody boo Bosh? Because he excersied his right to choose to go to another team? Are you kidding me?? Bosh played at a high level while he was here, he did everything that that organization asked of him, and at the end of his contract he chooses to explore other employment opportunities. Has nobody here not done the same thing in their lives—put this in perspective please!

Get over yourselves.

[Hedon't]

Honestly half the Raptors fanbase is incompetent the only joy I get out of
this situation is that these morons get to suffer witht he rest of us.

"ya, I bet they will listen to your family, right?

get real. bosh is overrated and he is going to hear so many boos he wont be able to think"

I know Bosh is overrated but that doesn't mean Colangelo isn't a horrible GM
Should I name all of his 1000 bad moves to remind you?

And go ahead and Boo Bosh all you want. But explain to me how his
situation is any different then Roy Halladays who most people love.

Blogger's note: Hey, easy with the name calling; we attempt to be at least a bit civil here; grown-ups can disagree without crap being thrown around

[Dadeo]

Hi Doug, dont want to make a big deal out of it considering where the Raps picked Alabi but any comments/thoughts on the report that he has Hep B and how that might impact his potential career?

Blogger's note: The Raptors have one of the most thorough and cautious medical staffs in the world, they cleared him. 'Nuff said.

[Steve G]

Anyone who boos Bosh when he returns to the ACC should be kicked out of the arena. He's given nothing but 110% to this team (and country) for the past 7 years!

He deserves nothing less than a standing ovation in his first visit back