Why the Raptors Will Still Get Good Value If Bosh Leaves

The last few weeks, the US media and fans of US-based teams are confident that the Toronto Raptors and Chris Bosh will be parting ways this summer. This is quite possible, and I won't debate about that.

What has been bugging me, however, are the arrogant trade proposals being thrown around, thinking it is market value.

To give an example, though...I don't want to single them out.

Heat fans are now at the point where they believe Udonis Haslem-Marc Blount is good enough value for a Chris Bosh-type player, since Toronto won't want to lose him for nothing. I, however, am more confident that Toronto won't lose him for nothing, and I have several reasons to believe it.

Competent Management

You may not believe me, but the Vince Carter and Pau Gasol trades were horrible decisions by sometimes suspect GM's. The values they returned are not the going rate for borderline superstar players.

Especially Chris Wallace, who not only single-handedly brought the Lakers back to prominence, but also gave the Magic the PG they desperately needed for their run to the finals after Nelson went down.

Bryan Colangelo, on the other hand, is respected, something that always has a positive effect during negotiations, and has proven to be a sly trader in a similar situation. When Joe Johnson wanted to leave Phoenix, he got excellent value in Boris Diaw and two future picks.

Bosh Loves Green

Chris Bosh has clearly stated he wants a supermax contract in 2010. Since Toronto currently holds his Bird Rights, they are the only team that can offer him this six-year, $130 million deal, and he would have to be traded before 2010 or signed and traded during the summer of 2010 for another team to be able to offer this amount of money.

Supply and Demand

For my final reason, let me tell you how many teams Chris Bosh would want to sign with: Miami, Orlando, Cleveland, Chicago, New York, LAL, (Portland?), (Golden State?). That is 6-8 teams, and there is only one Chris Bosh.

If one team sends a horrible offer, the others are bound to send their own slightly-less horrible offer all the way unttil the offers become respectable and eventually establish a fair market value.

I conclude from this that Toronto may not get 100 percent of what Bosh is worth, but it's certainly going to beat Udonis Haslem and Marc Blount.