NBA Free Agency 2010: Chris Bosh Would Be Welcomed in Cleveland With Open Arms

According to numerous sources, the Toronto Raptors have agreed to participate in a sign-and-trade deal that would send free agent superstar Chris Bosh to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Although details of the potential trade have not been solidified, ESPN has reported that the Raptors would receive “Anderson Varejao and/or J.J. Hickson, Delonte West and perhaps Anthony Parker.” ESPN also reported that a draft pick would likely be involved.

According to league sources, LeBron James has attempted to recruit Chris Bosh for the past few weeks; this indicating James’ true desire to remain in Cleveland.

So the question arises: What is Chris Bosh waiting for?!

Understandably so, Bosh has expressed interest in playing for either Chicago, New Jersey, or Miami. But maybe his agent should fill him in on a few key points about his potential move to Cleveland…

1. In a sign-and-trade with Cleveland, the Cavaliers could (and would) offer Chris Bosh a six-year deal worth $125 million. On the other hand, if Bosh signed a free agent max-contract with New Jersey, Miami, or Chicago, he could only be offered a five-year deal worth $96 million. To all of us, $96 million is plenty. But we're talking about a difference of $29 million!
2. Chris Bosh would be teaming up with the best player in the game, LeBron James. Even if James was seriously considering Chicago or Miami (which he isn't), Bosh coming to Cleveland would make James re-sign immediately and completely bail on South Beach and the Windy City.
3. With LeBron James returning and Chris Bosh moving-in, the Cavaliers could also re-sign the aging, yet still effective, Shaquille O'Neal to plug the middle. The Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup would immediately become the best in the East (Mo Williams, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Chris Bosh, Shaquille O'Neal) and an NBA Title would be a strong possibility. 
4. Bosh has to get over the "big city obsession". It appears as if he wants to play with LeBron James but is not willing to sacrifice the city. If this is the case, then Bosh does not have an NBA Title on his mind. Move to Cleveland, win titles, and go down as a savior for the city.

This seems like a no-brainer for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors, and Chris Bosh. It would be in Cleveland’s best interest to try and retain the young J.J. Hickson, but then again, we’re talking about Chris Bosh here. For Toronto, they’re basically getting something in return, rather than just watching their franchise’s best player hit the road in search of something greater. And of course, Chris Bosh receives tons of publicity and his team is the clear-cut favorite to represent the East in the NBA Finals.