Bosh Can Either Be a Rocket Or a Raptor

So in my daily browsing I came across an article that may lead to Chris Bosh re-signing in Toronto. A single memo from the NBA to all teams: Prepare for a lower cap in 2010.

Essentially this means that Knicks fans your hopes of signing Lebron and Bosh or Lebron and whoever practically died; and subsequently the landscape has significantly changed for our Toronto Raptors.

I’ve written a couple of articles on Bosh’s attitude and lack of commitment and the foolish indiscretions that he has created with his unwillingness to sign an extention.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I believe that he is taking a page out of Lebron’s playbook and is holding Toronto hostage to place a contender around him to take some of the load off of him.

I’ve said it several times. BOSH IS NOT A FRANCHISE player, despite reports and delusional thinking that would even dare suggest otherwise. Here are the facts: Colangelo has played his final card which is Turkoglu, and the ball (pardon the pun) is in Chris’s court. He claims time and time again he wants to play for a winner so let’s look at who can legitimately be considered a contender for the NBA Championship and the potential to sign Bosh next year. (Many thanks to John Paulson’s for his help with this endeavor)

* Please note these numbers are assuming that cap is at 58.7 Million, which it won’t be as things stand now*

LA Lakers—No, I believe that the reason is self explanatory.

Denver Nuggets—They are basically a luxury team after re-signing Chris Anderson.

Boston Celtics—I believe KG would be the starting PF.

San Antonio Spurs—The acquisition of Richard Jefferson killed those plans.

Cleveland Cavailers—Possibly, depending on what Lebron wants money wise.

Now some of the playoff participants that are considered contenders or have bright futures.

Dallas Mavericks—Only if Dirk wants to be a center, and Cuban wants to go over the cap.

Houston Rockets—Considering the state of Yao’s foot this is a possibility.

Phoenix Suns—If Amare goes. But seriously, Nash can only play for so long.

Portland Trailblazers—If they elect not to resign LaMarcus Aldridge and they MUST re-sign Brandon Roy.

Miami Heat—They’ll have the space, but they must convince Wade to stay first.

Chicago Bulls—Derrick Rose and not much else.

Detroit Pistons—They may be able to fit Bosh under. It will be intriguing to see what money is left after the Pistons' signings of Ben Gordon, and Charlie V and Richard Hamilton's new contract.

So we are now left with five conclusions:

1) If Bosh wants money (and the Raptors can offer him a longer length and the most money under the ‘Bird’ Rule) he’ll have to go to the Grizzlies, or Knicks to get the most he can.

2) The Heat can have a shot if they can re-sign Wade but they would also be in the same situation as the Raptors now—a lack of depth.

3) A potential winner of the NBA championship cannot sign Bosh, flat out.

4)  Because the salary cap will be lower, the chances of Bosh catching on to a team that can at least ‘contend’ diminish greatly.

5) Only Houston can meet Bosh’s requisite for being a contender (and is close to home as well) and give him money in line with a max-contract player.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Bosh’s options have become more limited with today’s news, we’ll soon discover if Bosh is motivated to play for an established winner, or did he simply want to leave Toronto.