Do you REALLY think this is plausible? I mean, even if KP was able to trade for the guy, how could he guarantee Bosh would be re-signed? KP just isn't gonna take that chance. Sorry.
The rumors I've heard include Aldridge and Rudy for Bosh. I'd do that in a heartbeat. However, Aldridge is BYC and Rudy is paid very little as a late first round pick on a rookie scale contract. So, that doesn't even come close to meeting the CBA requirements. Trading Aldridge will be VERY difficult due to his BYC status. It would have to be a much larger trade, involving several players, and including a third, and possibly a 4th team (with at least one of those teams being significantly under the cap. Yes, I'd trade for Bosh, as long was we didn't have to give up Roy, Oden or Batum (and I'd prefer to keep Bayless, too), but I don't think it's likely to happen due to the complicated nature of such a trade. I'd also want a verbal commitment from Bosh that he'd be willing to resign with Portland for a 5-year max. contract deal when his current contract is up (either this summer, or next if he "opts in" to the final player option year of his current deal). A core of Roy, Bosh, Oden, Batum and Bayless would be flat out awesome for the next 6 - 8 years. BNM
Basically sums up my feelings on it. As long as Bosh is not against being in Portland, I think he'd re-sign, since Portland would be able to pay him more than anyone else. Thus, the need to speak with him prior to doing a trade. Better yet, though, would be to do it in the off-season, as a sign-and-trade, so there's no risk to Portland.
Even if they can just get him to indicate he'll opt in to the final year of his current deal (at $17 million). I think Bosh REALLY wants to win - and I think he's also tired of carrying the load in Toronto for very middling (at best) results. In Portland, paired with fellow all-star Brandon Roy, he would have a a much more realistic chance of going deep in the play-offs. This year, with all the injuries, the Blazers most likely would to contend for a title, even with the addition of Bosh (but I do think he'd be enough to get them past the first round). Next year, with Oden back, the Blazers, with Bosh, would be poised for a deep play-off run - and I think that, combined with the ability to pay him more than anyone else, would be enough to keep Bosh in Portland long term. The hard part is getting him here. BNM
Actually dealing LMA isn't that hard at all. I got a few to work on Trade Machine in minutes and I'm pretty sure we have cap-guru Tom Penn in our corner. Also, if for some reason Bosh did bolt, with all the salary we gave up to get him, it would put us significantly under the cap for 2010 FA Bonanza (Dmiles 9 mill off the books too)
I don't want to poop on any fantasies but wouldn't Bosh be better off pairing with Wade in Miami? He'd probably prefer that too, seeing as how he's buddies with D-Wade. Miami also has Michael Beasley, a player they can easily turn into some nice complementary pieces for Wade and Bosh. That's assuming Bosh decides to leave the Raptors.
Bosh couldn't make as much signing directly with Miami as he could signing with Toronto or whichever team, at the point, holds his Bird rights. As for whether he'd be better off there in terms of winning, I'd say it's arguable. Wade is a better player than Roy, but the remaining talent beyond that definitely favours Portland, IMO. Miami is a better media market, though, so that may well play a role in his decision.
Not if the other team gives permission. Portland would need to require from Toronto being able to talk to Bosh (and being satisfied with his answers) before doing a trade.
Aldridge makes a LOT of money and I don't think that (m)any teams are going to be eager to acquire him as the primary value in a big-time deal. Ed O.
Well, if the Raptors sense that Bosh will leave, a package that includes LaMarcus/Rudy/+others would seem like it'd be enticing.
If you were Toronto however, and Miami offered you Beasley in a sign and trade would you take that or the LMA offer?
Probably Beasley, considering Aldridge's regression this year, even though I think Aldridge is the somewhat better player. Beasley is so inexpensive for his production. I wasn't addressing that in my previous point, though, because the poster I responded to was positing the possibility of Bosh playing alongside Wade and Beasley. If Portland offered an Aldridge/Rudy package, that might be better than Beasley, though. Aldridge costs a lot, but Toronto is going to have to take on a large contract to equal Bosh's extension in a sign-and-trade scenario. No one is going to trade them a max contract player who's worth every penny of it...that team may as well just keep such a player. Toronto can't just sign-and-trade Bosh for Beasley. It would have to be Beasley + a big contract. Does Miami have anyone attractive making a lot of money, other than Wade? There won't be "expiring contracts" to deal once the trade moratorium ends in the off-season. For an expensive-good-player-who's-somewhat-overpaid and an interesting, cheap young player, Aldridge and Fernandez isn't bad. Another team may be able to beat it, definitely, but I don't see that as obvious.
Exactly. Plus, if you believe the hype about a possible 2011 lockout, and the owners refusing to pay high salaries anymore . . . it's even worse. Lamarcus' $13/14 million a year doesn't seem tragic right NOW when you compare it to guys like AK 47 or Elton Brand getting $18, but that could change. There was an article (on hoopshype I think?) quoting anonymous owners as saying that Amare will probably have to sign for about $6 million a year (assuming he picks up his player option for next season and is a FA in 2011). That sounds crazy, and probably is. But they are trying to make a point I guess - the salaries have gotten out of hand and they are prepared to lockout the players for an extended period of time. If you buy into this, Lamarcus' contract might look terrible in a few years and if we can see that, I'm sure other teams (to potentially trade with) can too.
