What if the unthinkable happens this summer and Chris Bosh walks away from the Toronto Raptors for nothing?
No sign and trade deal, no talent coming back, not even a trade exception to work with. It could happen.
As unlikely as it is that Chris Bosh walks away from over $30 million in guaranteed money. And he would have to be stark raving mad to do it. There is nothing but money stopping Bosh from signing a free agent deal with another team without permitting the Toronto Raptors to hone in on the deal.
And there are a number of teams that appear to have the cap space to sign max free agents to five-year deals worth $100 million or more including:
- Miami Heat
- Chicago Bulls
- LA Clippers
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- New Jersey Nets
- New York Knicks
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Sacramento Kings
- Washington Wizards
About a third of the NBA deliberately or otherwise cleared enough contracts this season to be able to participate in one of the biggest free agent free-for-alls in living memory. And over half of the league could be in the unusual position of having at least some cap space with which to pursue players.
To clear that kind of salary space league wide means there are going to be an unprecedented number of free agents available. But everyone knows, this is supposed to be the summer of LeBron. (Wasted days and wasted nights – King James will be staying in Cleveland.)
Oh the mistakes fans should be expecting with so much money in the hands of desperate GM’s this summer!
But that’s digressing.
So what would the Raptors be left to work with once Bosh’s $15.8 million contract comes off the books? Sadly, not much.
Without Bosh picking up his $17 million option or signing a new contract with the Raptors, Toronto will have 9 players under contract after July 1 with total salaries of about $46 million. Hoopshype – Toronto Raptors Salaries
And according to recent estimates of the 2010-11 NBA salary cap, that would leave the Raptors with about $10 million in cap space to round out their roster.
Those feelings of more than mild panic that emanated from Raptorland at the end of last season, when fans realized just how little room Bryan Colangelo would have to work with if Shawn Marion walked for nothing, start rising once again.
There is no worse position for a GM in the NBA to be in than being slightly below the salary cap. You don’t have enough money to go after a big free agent and if you sign a mid priced veteran, the team loses the MLE that is so often relied upon to bring in that extra rotation player.
And to use that salary cap space, the GM often has to renounce their team’s own free agents.
In the Raptors case, Amir Johnson and Antoine Wright are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. But in order to re-sign them, Colangelo would first have to use any salary cap space that he has available. You cannot sign another team’s free agent first and then use your team’s bird rights to re-sign your own free agents.
But in a “Disaster Recover Plan” that has resulted from the unexpected loss of Chris Bosh simply walking away from the Raptors, renouncing Johnson and Wright could become the only way Toronto can pursue any of the numerous free agents available.
Another minor detail tossing a wrench into the Raptors summer if Chris Bosh walks is there is also a cap hold for first round draft picks. That $10 million in available cap space is closer to $8 million. Unless of course the draft pick is traded or sold.
As nice as getting another lottery pick is, even good lottery picks usually take time to develop. And relying on a rookie to replace an All-Star most often results in a return to the lottery next season. Rebuilding is not what most fans want to endure.
There are free agents available with more talent than Johnson or Wright have shown to-date. In a “Disaster Recovery Plan”, the Raptors could be pursuing:
David Lee, Unrestricted Free Agent
The Knicks made it clear that they didn’t want to give the highest scoring center in the NBA a $60 million deal last summer, but the Raptors could fill a big hole by giving the 20 and 12 big man what he wants.
The Raptors first and best choice in their “Disaster Recovery Plan”.
They might have to renounce all of their own free agents and move their draft pick to do it, but it would be worth it.
Al Harrington, Unrestricted Free Agent
In the Knicks drive for cap space, Al Harrington is likely left on the outside looking in. And in a free agent season loaded with teams’ discards, the 30 year-old veteran could be picked up at a very good price.
Harrington’s true value is better reflected in his career stats of 14 points and 6 boards, but he is still a solid player and acquiring him likely means the Raptors can keep Amir Johnson.
Brendan Haywood, Unrestricted Free Agent
At 30 years-old, Haywood is having a career year of 10 points, 10 boards, and 2 blocks. A true center, Haywood would potentially fill the big rebounding hole the Raptors are facing.
The risk is Haywood also fills a big hole on the Mavericks and the free spending Cuban could price this career 8 and 6 center out of reach of the Raptors.
It might be just as well. A five-year deal for Haywood comes some big risks.
Luis Scola, Restricted Free Agent
Scola is coming off his rookie deal at age 29. He doesn’t play like a young player and he doesn’t expect to get paid like one.
It is always risky bidding for a restricted free agent and it will take a long-term deal for significant money to pry Scola away from Houston.
But even at 5 years and $45 million, Scola is a player who would help the Raptors now and be an up-grade over Johnson. Any offer less and the Rockets might not let another team steal him. They might not even at that.
Drew Gooden, Unrestricted Free Agent
For a 6’10″ 250 lb big man who can get a team 12 points, 10 boards, and a block when given modest minutes, Gooden doesn’t get a lot of respect around the league.
At only 28 years-old, Gooden should still have some good years left in him. And even if he is considered a bit soft by some, he should come at a bargain price.
When a team is looking to fill a big hole with a little money, Gooden could be the answer.
Rudy Gay, Restricted Free Agent
Rudy doesn’t fill the obvious hole left by the departure of Chris Bosh. And he might be too expensive for the Raptors to acquire directly.
But Gay is a major upgrade at the wing, and the historically cheap Grizzlies might be persuaded to move him in a sign and trade to acquire a younger and cheaper version like DeRozan.
With better talent on the wing, maybe the Raptors could get by with cheaper talent in the post?
Udonis Haslem, Unrestricted Free Agent
This reliable 1o point 8 rebound veteran won’t be expensive, but he doesn’t want to leave Miami.
However, Haslem would be a nice complement to Johnson if Miami doesn’t have room for him.
Matt Bonner, Unrestricted Free Agent
The biggest factor in Matt Bonner’s favor would be that the Toronto fans loved this guy.
Bonner has limited skills beyond a 3-point shot and hustle. But he should be cheap and he would be popular. No one has ever faulted this guy for not always trying.
Bring the Red-Rocket back to T-dot. Just don’t spend too much to do it!
Carlos Boozer, Unrestricted Free Agent
Boozer would be a great pick-up. But a $10 million starting salary is not going to get it done.
Tyrus Thomas, Restricted Free Agent
The fourth pick of the 2006 draft has physical gifts that should make him a special player. But so far it appears he has been getting in his own way.
This 4-year player is good for 10 points, 6 boards, 1.5 blocks, and a steal in 20 minutes per game. If a coach can get his attention, Tyrus Thomas has All-Star written all over him.
A player the Raptors should gamble on if Bosh walks for nothing. Toronto should be able to offer Thomas enough to make the money-losing Bobcats back off and let him go.
Toronto Raptors management, coaches, and fans would prefer that the Disaster Recovery Plan is never put to the test.
Most would prefer that Chris Bosh just re-signs with Toronto and the Raptors make some trades to up-grade the team at the wing and possibly at point guard positions.
But since it seems Bosh has his sights set on moving to a contender, the most likely way for the team to acquire Players Who Can Help the Raptors To Forget Chris Bosh is by way of a sign and trade deal.
And Chris Bosh has over 30 million reasons to co-operate with Bryan Colangelo this summer.
I still think this team should just blow up and start over. Keep Amir, DeMar, and Sonny and Rebuild properly this time, no quick-fixes, no band-aids. I am just hoping that BC will be able to get some young players and draft picks for Bosh in a S&T, but with BC, it’s likely to be another blunder. I sure hope BC doesn’t get extended until at earliest December this year.
I am not that patient.
I sat through 3 years of rebuilding at the ACC with young guys that went no where.
Add some solid players to the roster – make the playoffs.
Chris Bosh isn’t necessary to be a playoff team. (couldn’t hurt though)
I’d get rid of five of those nine teams you listed as potential suitors for Bosh because he has stated many times that he wants to go to a winner or at least a potential winner. He’s not going to simply leave the Raps just for the sake of leaving. Therefore, strike the Clippers, T-Wolves, Nets, Kings, and Wizards from the record because they aren’t likely to be playoff teams for a while. The Knicks are located in the always tempting NYC and are at least headed in the right direction so I’ll keep them as a potential destination for CB4 along with those other three teams you listed.
At the end of the day, my gut tells me Bosh is going to Miami assuming that Wade re-signs with them as well. If this happens, I can picture the Heat letting Haslem and J.O. walk to make room for Bosh creating a new team built around the two superstars. Who knows, maybe they’ll even trade Beasley and possibly another young player for a third key piece in their quest to be a serious contender.
As for the Raptors and the list of potential free agent post players you’ve compiled, I think it’s safe to say that Boozer is the most talented player of the bunch. However, I don’t see the Raptors being able to afford him. I could be wrong though. After all, the Raps would have a good chunk of salary cap space free if Bosh left and the last time the Booze hound was a free agent he had all but re-signed on the dotted line with the Cavs before he surprised everyone and bolted to Utah for more money. Who knows, maybe the same thing will happen again.
However, the more realistic player I think Toronto should pursue on this list is David Lee. He’s a very solid big man and he actually can combine bulk with skill and be a legitimate starting center, which is something the Raptors haven’t had in years.
Other than Boozer and Lee, the only other players on the list that I’m the least bit interested in are both RESTRICTED Free Agents (Luis Scola and Rudy Gay). Any educated sports fan knows that good players who are RFA’S almost never leave their exisitng clubs and trying to steal them away usually proves futile so I don’t know why I even brought up those two players in the first place.
The good news for Toronto fans is most of the teams with max room available will be bad teams next year – with or without Bosh. Exceptions might be the Clippers who get Griffin back next season, Kings possibly, or if one of them can land 2 big free agents. Like Miami who already has one.
I’d agree Miami looks like what Bosh says he wants.
But they don’t have a lot to use in a S&T and Bosh has given strong indications that he’s not going to leave the Raps with nothing. But – we’ll see.
David Lee would be my first choice out of the FA available. I like Lee’s game a lot. Unselfish passer who can finish and rebound – what’s not to like?
The RFA do on occasion move – like Jarrett Jack coming to Toronto last year. It just takes offering more years and money than the team holding the right to match is willing to spend. But getting a RFA is tough.