Bosh rumored on the way to Chicago?

[nickagneta]

http://dabullz.com/2010/01/06/more-on-boers-and-bernstein-bosh-rumor/

Early in the day, I wrote about a trade rumor being discussed on 670 the Score that involved the Bulls receiving Kirk Hinrich. Here are the exact quotes from the Boers and Bernstein show regarding the rumor:

    Try this on for size, as something that is percolating. And as of now, this is all I can tell you. I’m not going to tell you this is a done deal, or that it’s even close, but as far as something that is out there as a possibility. Hinrich, Tyrus Thomas, and at least one pick to the Toronto Raptors for Chris Bosh.

ESPN Insider gave it some run too:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors

We told you yesterday, that according to Boers and Bernstein, an afternoon radio program on 670 The Score in Chicago, a trade shipping Chris Bosh to the Bulls for Kirk Hinrich, Tyrus Thomas and at least a draft pick is "something that is out there as a possibility."

Nothing new about the situation seems to have emerged today in either the Chicago or Toronto markets.

This would obviously be a huge coup for Chicago. With Bosh and Joakim Noah in the frontcourt, the team becomes a rebounding force, as both rank in the top five in the league in rebounding. Bosh will make an anemic offense better, and the Bulls' defensive efficiency -- which is a solid 10th in the league right now -- likely gets a boost as well.

The danger here for Chicago is if Bosh decides to walk in free agency this summer instead of signing with the Bulls, possibly to a team like Miami. But if the Bulls can lock Bosh up long-term, something they'll have money to do this offseason, this team becomes a lot more relevant in the East going forward.

But a new team has emerged according to ESPN's Marc Stein, one that isn't as concerned about him signing past this season: Houston. In the Weekend Dime, Stein notes they could assemble a package that doesn't include Tracy McGrady's large salary.

Marc Stein

Raptors wouldn't have to take on T-Mac's salary

    "What we did hear, though, is that the Houston Rockets have made it known that they would be willing to trade for Bosh immediately -- even if they don't get a guarantee they can re-sign him this summer ... Sources say the ever-aggressive Rockets are sure a half-season in Houston could convince the native Texan to pledge his long-term future to a city players love as well as a team that sits four games over .500 without the injured Yao Ming and the exiled Tracy McGrady. The Rockets also have the requisite stash of young assets, as evidenced by their success this season without marquee names, to assemble a legit deal for Toronto to consider -- and without insisting that McGrady's mammoth $22.5 million salary has to be part of it. "

[nickagneta]

Just thinking that if the Bulls could pull this off, they would definitely still have enough  to possibly sign Wade in the off season. I starting five, if the deal of Hinrich and Thomas is all it takes, of

Rose
Wade
Deng
Bosh
Noah

would not only be historic in that they would have an entire starting lineup with only four letters in their last name, it would be young and NASTY as well.

If I'm Toronto I demand Noah and move Bargnani over to PF.

[wiley]

Just thinking that if the Bulls could pull this off, they would definitely still have enough  to possibly sign Wade in the off season. I starting five, if the deal of Hinrich and Thomas is all it takes, of

Rose
Wade
Deng
Bosh
Noah

would not only be historic in that they would have an entire starting lineup with only four letters in their last name, it would be young and NASTY as well.

If I'm Toronto I demand Noah and move Bargnani over to PF.

Maybe not much of a prediction at this point, but I predict that your lineup there above comes true...

[jdpapa3]

would not only be historic in that they would have an entire starting lineup with only four letters in their last name

  Hilarious

[Donoghus]

I think that's a definite no-brainer for Chicago.  They get out of Hinrich's contract, get rid of Thomas who is a terrible fit on that team, and acquire some much-needed frontcourt help in the form of Chris Bosh. 

[Kiorrik]

Just thinking that if the Bulls could pull this off, they would definitely still have enough  to possibly sign Wade in the off season. I starting five, if the deal of Hinrich and Thomas is all it takes, of

Rose
Wade
Deng
Bosh
Noah

would not only be historic in that they would have an entire starting lineup with only four letters in their last name, it would be young and NASTY as well.

If I'm Toronto I demand Noah and move Bargnani over to PF.

jdpapa mentioned hilarious, and I'd like to add "Scary" to that.

By Jove, that's a sick lineup.

[nickagneta]

Just thinking that if the Bulls could pull this off, they would definitely still have enough  to possibly sign Wade in the off season. I starting five, if the deal of Hinrich and Thomas is all it takes, of

Rose
Wade
Deng
Bosh
Noah

would not only be historic in that they would have an entire starting lineup with only four letters in their last name, it would be young and NASTY as well.

If I'm Toronto I demand Noah and move Bargnani over to PF.

jdpapa mentioned hilarious, and I'd like to add "Scary" to that.

By Jove, that's a sick lineup.

I typed that lineup and the more I thought about it the more I was thinking, [dang] they could have a dynasty again with that lineup.

[Kiorrik]

I typed that lineup and the more I thought about it the more I was thinking, [dang] they could have a dynasty again with that lineup.

That's spot on. Or at the very least, contend for quite a few years. If they gel as well as our guys did from the get-go... O-U-C-H.

[Who]

I don't think the rumour has any credibility. I first saw the rumour a day or two ago and it felt like a made-up rumour by the author. It's also gotten very little traction throughout most of the major media outlets (Toronto media, Chicago media, national media).

And, furthermore, the Raptors are playing their best basketball of the season and have just beat the Spurs and Magic back to back. I don't see them making a panic trade when things are going so well. I also can't conceive Bryant Colangelo making a trade that gives the Raptors such little talent in return.

But anyway, it's still interesting ... to dream about.

If the trade were real and it went through, I reckon the Bulls would have $42.3 million in salaries once Bosh is signed + cap holds for empty roster spot. So even if the cap was in the $54-55 million range, the Bulls would only have $11.5-12.7 million in cap space. Enough for another All-Star caliber talent (Rudy Gay?) but not a maximum contract.

Rose + Gay + Deng + Bosh + Noah

Do you make a run at Ray Allen at that stage? Or Manu Ginobili? Michael Redd or Tracy McGrady (if one of them finishes the season strong)? If Rudy Gay fell through.

Or go younger and try for Ronnie Brewer? Anthony Morrow?

I think I'd go bigger and try to sign a sixth man instead. There's more talent available in the big men ranks at that pay bracket. David Lee would be my first choice, Luis Scola the second choice. Or split the money, something along the lines of Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem.

[Jeff]

true or not, expect to see more of this

Raps are going nowhere and Bosh likely has his eyes set on the market

[nickagneta]

true or not, expect to see more of this

Raps are going nowhere and Bosh likely has his eyes set on the market

I also wouldn't doubt that Bosh and Wade could be steering something like this into happening behind the scenes. I get the feeling they really want to play together but are having qualms over doing so in Miami as there will not be anyone there worth playing with.

Chicago would make sense for Wade as a free agent and Toronto and Chicago seem to match up as good trading partners. I think there will definitely be a trade of Bosh somewhere and that that somewhere could be somewhere both Bosh and Wade could end up in.

[Fafnir]

If the trade were real and it went through, I reckon the Bulls would have $42.3 million in salaries once Bosh is signed + cap holds for empty roster spot. So even if the cap was in the $54-55 million range, the Bulls would only have $11.5-12.7 million in cap space. Enough for another All-Star caliber talent (Rudy Gay?) but not a maximum contract.

I think they'd attempt to get Bosh and Wade to sign for equal money splitting the difference between them for a max deal. That likely wouldn't work and then they'd go for a second tier guy.

I agree with you that the rumor doesn't sound legit. Toronto has to get more for Bosh if they're going to move him than Thomas and Hinrich. Especially with Hinrich being paid what he is.

[snively]

If the trade were real and it went through, I reckon the Bulls would have $42.3 million in salaries once Bosh is signed + cap holds for empty roster spot. So even if the cap was in the $54-55 million range, the Bulls would only have $11.5-12.7 million in cap space. Enough for another All-Star caliber talent (Rudy Gay?) but not a maximum contract.

I think they'd attempt to get Bosh and Wade to sign for equal money splitting the difference between them for a max deal. That likely wouldn't work and then they'd go for a second tier guy.

I agree with you that the rumor doesn't sound legit. Toronto has to get more for Bosh if they're going to move him than Thomas and Hinrich. Especially with Hinrich being paid what he is.

Makes no sense for Toronto.  They'd have zero inside game and a buttload of mediocre contracts.  They'd be better off letting Bosh walk. 

[Fan from VT]

I just don't see why Toronto would do this deal at all. Maybe if it were Thomas, Noah, and Hinrich, or some picks in there, but the "rumored" deal is plain terrible.

I totally understand why Toronto would trade him, but just not that deal.


As an aside, How in the heck did Bosh self-promote his way to a trio with Wade and Lebron? I mean he's a good player, but Wade and Lebron are GREAT players. He's productive, but a lot of his adjusted/advanced numbers are waaaay closer to average than Lebron and Wade. The best thing he did was here Lebron and Wade posture about needing to be on a winning team, and he was like "uuh, yeah, me too, i'm a superstar and I'm leaving if my team sucks, and, uh, if our record sucks this year it's purely because my supporting cast sucks, not because i'm a full step or two lower than superstar, because I am a superstar..." and everyone bought in! look at the scrubs Lebron has compared to the shooters Bosh has, or the skeletal crew Wade has, yet Toronto is TERRIBLE! Bosh! How did you get away with blaming all of your teammates for your team's suckitude! Your team sucks because YOU ARE NOT A SUPERSTAR! YOU ARE BASICALLY ANTAWN JAMESON!  I want your agent!

[pearljammer10]

Bulls would get a steal... I dont see Toronto settling for that deal.