Rebuilding the Raptors: Chris Bosh Trade Scenarios

(Photo by: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Maybe I'm just a pessimist.

I consider myself to be a pretty opportunistic guy under most circumstances, but following the Toronto Raptors over the years has turned my normally positive disposition into a jaded NBA fan.

So whenever I stumble across a Raptors story which includes a Bryan Colangelo quote about how he's still committed to keeping Chris Bosh in Toronto long-term, I can't help but cringe. It feels like we've been down this road before.

Damon Stoudamire was the original face of the franchise before requesting a ticket out of town. The return for the Raptors? Spare parts and a point guard (Kenny Anderson) who would never step foot in the city. 

Then you have the cousins from Florida—Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter. Both played an integral role in the Raptors rise from the cellar to credibility, and both would leave Toronto for virtually nothing. T-Mac would exit via free agency, while Carter was "traded" to the Nets after demanding his own trade out of the T-Dot. That deal, which is regularly mentioned when the discussion of "Most lopsided deals in NBA history" gets brought up, is still a particularly sore spot for the Raps faithful.

So you'll have to excuse me when I get a little cynical at the chances of Colangelo locking up Bosh in the summer of 2010. That's not a poor endorsement of BC's general manager skills, nor is it an indictment of Bosh's character. I just can't shake the image of another Raptors star skipping town without receiving something significant in return.

So without further ado, I present some trade scenario's that involve the Raptors and three teams that could use a player of Bosh's calibre around the association.

Scenario No. 1: Toronto Raptors trade F Chris Bosh to the Chicago Bulls for G Ben Gordon (sign-and-trade), F Tyrus Thomas, and two first-round picks in 2009 (No.'s 16 and 26 overall)

This is the scenario that is getting pumped out by most rumor mills as of late, and on the surface it appears to make sense for both teams.

After underachieving in 2007, Derrick Rose infused new life into the Bulls franchise and has the Chicago brass thinking about joining the Eastern Conference's elite sooner rather than later. A trade for Bosh would give the Bulls the low-post option that they have been missing since roughly the turn of the century, and a core of Rose-Bosh-Deng-Hinrich-Noah has the capability to take the next step in the Windy City.

For the Raptors, the arrival of Gordon would mark a major improvement at the shooting guard position over Anthony Parker, although BG's deficiencies in the defense and shot selection departments may not bold well for a team that already struggles in both of those areas.

That being said, Gordon's pure offensive exploits are amongst the best in the association and would give a freshly inked Jay Triano many more options on that end of the floor.

Bryan Colangelo originally wanted to mold these Raptors after the high-scoring Phoenix Suns teams from 2004-07, but he was always missing one key ingredient—players who could score. Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono and Joey Graham weren't exactly the most intimidating foursome at the wing position, but BG would provide the team with someone who can fill it up from anywhere.

Thomas has been a model of inconsistency during his first few years in the league, but no one can question his athleticism and the excitement he's capable of bringing to the game at any given time. He's received some bad press during his time in Chicago as well, so maybe a change in scenery could do him a great deal of good. On the flip side, the Raptors are making a conscious effort to get "tougher" this offseason (as evidenced by Tuesday's trade for Reggie Evans) and Thomas would certainly help fill that role.

The two first rounders from Chicago would give the Dino's three selections in the first 26 picks and an opportunity to re-tool through the draft process, something the Raptors have failed to do in recent years.

Depending on how things shake down in the weeks leading up to the draft, the Raptors could add another wing prospect at No. 16 (Chase Budinger, Earl Clark, Jrue Holiday), while targeting a backup point guard with the 26th pick (Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor, Toney Douglas). Don't forget that they also own the ninth overall pick, which could land them another blue-chipper (Demar DeRozan is the popular choice at the moment) within the lottery.

Chicago Projected Lineup

G Derrick Rose, G Kirk Hinrich , SF Luol Deng, PF Chris Bosh, C Joakim Noah.

Bench: John Salmons, Brad Miller, Tim Thomas.

Toronto Projected Lineup

G Jose Calderon, G Ben Gordon, SF Shawn Marion (assuming he re-signs), F Tyrus Thomas, C Andrea Bargnani.

Bench: Reggie Evans, Roko Ukic, No. 9 pick, No. 16 pick, No. 26 pick.

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