The Toronto Raptors are at a crossroads. With this season starting to slip away with each dispirited loss the hopes of reaching round one, let alone two of the playoffs is becoming slimmer. What Chris Bosh decides to do, it appears to be, much like Vince Carter in the past, controls our destiny.
If, Chris Bosh were to announce, or have his representatives announce that he doesn’t want to stick around, the response from most media and the public at large would be very predictable. Toronto the bad loses another. No one likes it here. Take your pick, the sentiment, I think would be pretty much the same. The ever fragile Toronto psyche would exposed and those with the ability to press on our inferior complex.
What if, Bryan Colangelo were to preempt the Bosh camp and decide that it was time for Bosh and the Toronto Raptors part ways? I mean Colangelo is really smart right? No, I am not being a smart ass here. I don’t think anyone questions his knowledge of the game or his ability to get things done. His inability to advance a round in the playoffs in Toronto, notwithstanding, no one is really suggesting he is or was a bad pick for GM. Could or would Colangelo say NO to the Bosh camp? Could Colangelo say we don’t want you back at max money so we want to pursue a sign and trade?
If Colangelo looks at Bosh and says, someone is going to be willing to pay him 130m, I can maximize the value of this asset right now and build this team in one fail swoop by actively pursuing a sign and trade. I am an admit NBA baphoon, so I don’t know what they would get in a sign and trade, but I gather it would be a combination of young talent, draft picks and cash. Tell me Raptors fans, should Colangelo pass on handing Chris Bosh $130m and instead elect to trade him in a sign and trade deal?
If it is Colangelo who passes on Bosh( by telling Bosh that the Raptors want to pursue a sign and trade as opposed to resigning him for themselves) and not vise versa (and we may never know the truth) is the Toronto psyche saved or at least spared? I mean if we don’t want him or let him know that we are passing on him before he can accept or reject us…does that help anyone out? I am kind of kidding on this point, but will people feel better if we decide to get him out of here before he decides he wants out?