Raptors Know They Must Win To Keep Bosh

Chris Bosh has expressed excitement over Toronto's roster moves this off season, but Bryan Colangelo knows winning is the best way to keep his cornerstone.

Bosh, like fellow members of the 2003 draft class LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, has the option to hit the free agent market next summer.

"I am encouraged by everything Chris has been doing this summer. He has been very engaged with the organization and the city of Toronto and he has put forth tremendous effort to be ready for the start of the season," Colangelo, Toronto's general manager, told RealGM's Andrew Perna on Wednesday.

"CB's enthusiasm regarding our roster changes and optimism for our perceived improvement are encouraging, but everyone realizes we must win to validate anything."

Colangelo made a host of moves this summer.

He acquired Reggie Evans from the 76ers, drafted DeMar DeRozan, signed Andrea Bargnani to an extension, swung a huge sign-and-trade that netted Hedo Turkoglu and sent Shawn Marion to Dallas, signed Jarrett Jack and Rasho Nesterovic and got Marco Belinelli from Golden State.

Recently, Bosh told the Globe and Mail that he is open to at least considering a contract extension, which didn't appear to be the case earlier this summer.

Colangelo added that last summer's trade with Indiana, which was centered around Jermaine O'Neal and T.J. Ford, didn't go exactly as planned, but ultimately gave the Raptors flexibility this off season.

"I thought at the time the trade was good for both teams and in the end it was clearly the right thing for us," he said in retrospect.

"While our season did not turn out the way anyone had hoped or expected, the subsequent trade of JO to Miami put us in a position to radically change our team this summer."