Chris Bosh's Top Five Possible Trade Destinations

Basketball clearly isn't in the forefront right now as most people are busy with the British Open leaderboard, Tour de France Stage 13, Gina Salamino, and Heather Zeo.

Regardless, it has been a very hectic offseason, but it's not done yet. Raptors forward Chris Bosh has just one year left on his contract, and, while he hopes to stay in Toronto, we all know that there is a good chance he'll move.

The sportsbook odds makers have set it at even right now in regards to whether he stays or goes, but if he goes, here are five possible destinations (not accounting for salary matching):

1. To Phoenix Suns with a first-round pick for Amar'e Stoudemire and Steve Nash

On paper, this seems like a very one-sided trade talent-wise, but then again, so are basically all trades in the NBA (see: Pau Gasol to Lakers, or Shaquille O'Neal to Cavaliers).

Since the new owners have taken over in Phoenix, they have dismantled a championship-caliber team to spare parts and are clearly rebuilding. If they are rebuilding, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire no longer fit in.

Amar'e for Bosh is a better deal for Phoenix, but by throwing in Nash—an expiring contract whom they won't re-sign, they can get the better player.

Stoudemire is damaged goods after knee and eye surgeries over the past couple of seasons while Bosh is a player they can start piecing their puzzle with.

Raptors get a point guard who can help them compete in the East and a solid power forward who can score inside while the Suns get more than just cap space with a borderline All-Star.

2. To Sacramento Kings for Jason Thompson, Tyreke Evans, and a first-round pick

Not many teams need a four in the NBA, so Bosh isn't exactly filling a position of need for many teams. At the same time, not many of the teams who need a four have young prospects to send the other way. The Raptors don't just want cap space.

Jason Thompson is a good young power forward while Tyreke Evans would be the marquee piece of the deal. The Kings would also throw in a first-round pick—maybe two—to sweeten the deal for Toronto.

The Raptors get a good package back for Bosh while the Kings get a marquee player to sell to the fans. With Kevin Martin and Bosh, there is the makings of something nice.

3. To Chicago Bulls for Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and a first-round pick

The Chicago Bulls are always in the market for a power forward, even though they draft them like they are going out of style, and Bosh would be a good fit.

The Bulls already proved they can compete without Luol Deng, who was injured down the stretch of last season, and a lot of the things he does are duplicated by the addition of John Salmons.

The Raptors get a player who can start at center, which means Andrea Bargnani can move to his natural position at power forward, and they add quality depth with Luol Deng.

4. To Golden State Warriors for Stephen Jackson, Brandan Wright, and a first-round pick

The Warriors are always in the market for a power forward and they have about 40 players who do the exact same thing in the back court to trade.

Stephen Jackson is a tough, heart and soul-type player, which is what the Raptors need, and along with him, the Raptors get a quality prospect in Wright. While Don Nelson hasn't given him a chance, the Raptors could bring him a long slowly and develop into a Bosh-like player.

5. To Memphis Grizzlies for O.J. Mayo and two first-round picks

The Raptors would probably want more than that for Bosh but Memphis is a team that has young players to give up. Whether it's Mayo, Rudy Gay, Hakim Warrick or Mike Conley Jr.

Zach Randolph will be in the way for about a year or so, but a starting lineup of Bosh, Marc Gasol, Gay/Mayo, and Conley Jr. has potential.

Meanwhile, the Raptors get draft picks a quality player back for Bosh. Mayo would fill a hole at shooting guard.

Bosh has a player option for 2010-11 for about $17 million and at this point, he might just keep it and not opt out. He won't get that kind of money elsewhere. At the same time, the Raptors have figured out that he's just below the franchise-player caliber and playing him in the front court with Andrea Bargnani does not create the matchup problems they originally believed it would, and it also gives them the worst defensive front court in the NBA.

The Raptors need to move Bargnani to the power forward position and see what they've got. With Bosh, they already know what they have and that a low seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and a first-round exit.