Raptors "Ok" sign and trade with Bosh to Cavs (link)

[beantownboy171]

Everything is set for Chris Bosh to join LeBron James in Cleveland. Everything, that is, except Bosh's approval.

The Toronto Raptors have told the Cleveland Cavaliers they will do a sign-and-trade with them for Bosh, according to several league sources.

The exact details of the potential trade have not been solidified, but Toronto likely would get Anderson Varejao and/or J.J. Hickson, Delonte West and perhaps Anthony Parker. A draft pick could be involved as well.

Both James and Bosh are aware that such a trade is possible, and James has tried to recruit Bosh to the Cavaliers several times in the past few weeks, according to sources.

But right now, Bosh remains cold to the idea of playing in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers are hopeful that will change, because in Cleveland, Bosh can meet two of his top priorities: playing with James, and getting a six-year, $125 million contract.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5357607

Well this would make things interesting. That is a lot to give up in a sign and trade. If hickson is in the deal. But its a no brainer for the cavs if it saves them LeBron. I'm keeping my fingers crossed Bosh turns it down.

Speculate!

[indeedproceed]

I hope ever so sincerely that this does not happen. Please Chris Bosh, be irrational and play with Wade in Miami. I hate that Cleveland team ever so much more than any team in the East. Do not allow them to be good.

[Roy Hobbs]

I've got to think that that would make Cleveland the team to beat for the next five years, at least.  Obviously, I'm sure Cleveland would prefer to move Hickson over Varejao, as they need a physical center, but I doubt it matters much.

Kudos to Lebron for staying loyal to Cleveland if this happens, I guess.  I think he would have had a much better chance at a title in Chicago alongside Rose and Noah (and Bosh).

EDIT:  To make this happen, Cleveland would have to send out at least $13 million in salaries.  That probably means Varejao, rather than Hickson.  If Toronto insisted on Hickson, they'd need to take back the expiring contracts of Telfair and Moon, I believe.

[RebusRankin]

Toronto should tell Bosh to stuff it (yes, I self edited). Why take Cleveland's junk?

[MBunge]

Love that trade for Boston because it makes the Cavs a much less effective defensive unit.

Mike

[Evantime34]

If they can work this out Cleveland becomes the front runner to win the title in my opinion.

Not a bad deal for the Raptors either if they get Hickson.

I think Bosh decides he doesn't want to play in Cleveland, and ends up in Houston.

Lebron then ends up back in Cleveland.

[Kwhit10]

I'm surprised this type of scenario wasn't talked about much at all.

[Rashi]

If they can work this out Cleveland becomes the front runner to win the title in my opinion.

Not a bad deal for the Raptors either if they get Hickson.

I think Bosh decides he doesn't want to play in Cleveland, and ends up in Houston.

Lebron then ends up back in Cleveland.

I am seriously hoping Raptors will send Bosh to Houston through s&t. I don't want all the big FA's joining teams in the East and making it tough for us, while Lakers get a cakewalk next season.

[Bahku]

This would fit with an WEWS article I read this morning about LeBron wanting to stay in Cleveland, and trying to convince Bosh to join him:

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/sports/basketball/cavaliers/keeping-lebron-the-latest-information-about-lebron-james-cleveland-cavs

[RebusRankin]

From the Raptors end, I think they do better with a Houston S/T than this one from Cleveland. I too would like to see the West get tougher.

[wiley]

If they can work this out Cleveland becomes the front runner to win the title in my opinion.

Not a bad deal for the Raptors either if they get Hickson.

I think Bosh decides he doesn't want to play in Cleveland, and ends up in Houston.

Lebron then ends up back in Cleveland.

I feel like not in year 1.  Maybe after next year but I can't see the Cavs filling out the roster all that well for 2011....Next year's Cavs with Lebron and Bosh would be much less scary than many of the other scenarios out there.  However, the year after and going forward might be very different if they make good moves....my opinion on next year could change with certain moves...trading Jamison for something better than expected, for example.

[wdleehi]

Smart of Cleveland to work this out before Bosh agrees to go somewhere else.


As for going to Miami, I don't think they will be able to do a direct sign and trade because they have nothing the Raptors want and Bosh does not want to give up the 6th year.

[MMacOH]

I'm surprised this type of scenario wasn't talked about much at all.

It's been talked about frequently in Cleveland.  You shouldn't pay attention to national media, they have an agenda, and their agenda never includes possibilities for the Cavs.

Look for the Cavs to take on one of Toronto's bad contracts as well. 

There are also rumors of a West and Jamario Moon for Barbosa trade to PHX.  Part of the speculation here is that the Cavs would move Barbosa to the Raptors (apparently the Raps like Leonardo). 

You guys know that I always thought Lebron was staying and hope that is still true.  All of this talk about how great the Bulls would be is a little inflated.  The Cavs were pretty much unstoppable last year when they went small and ran (unfortunately it only happened when Mike Brown's hand was forced to play that way).  To insinuate that the Bulls roster is so much better than the Cavs roster is a little ridiculous.  This isn't NBA Live, you still need guys who can shoot from the outside to in games.  The Bulls have no one who can do that

[guava_wrench]

If they can work this out Cleveland becomes the front runner to win the title in my opinion.

Not a bad deal for the Raptors either if they get Hickson.

I think Bosh decides he doesn't want to play in Cleveland, and ends up in Houston.

Lebron then ends up back in Cleveland.

I am seriously hoping Raptors will send Bosh to Houston through s&t. I don't want all the big FA's joining teams in the East and making it tough for us, while Lakers get a cakewalk next season.

Bosh was already in the east.

[Jon]

I don't have a link, but the ESPN Bottom Line was reporting that Bosh doesn't want to play in Cleveland.