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

[indeedproceed]

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

To be honest, and I don't want to do the work to back this up so if I'm off, I apologize.

But I faintly remember you saying something like "LeBron stays and Tor S&T's Bosh to CLE"....and I remember in my head laughing and thinking "In your dreams, pal".

Jokes on us, huh? I am dreaaaading this. The one thing I don't want to have happen in all of this hubbabalu is for a sincere superteam to emerge. That's why I want LeBron in New Jersey. Just good enough to contend, not good enough to dominate.

[BballTim]

  They could have kept Varajao and gotten Amare at the trade deadline. That would have been better, and they'd have had a chance against us in the playoffs last year.

[FallGuy]

Getting closer and closer to being able to declare the losers in all this. If Bosh goes to CLE, then either or NY or MIA stands to lose big time depending on what Wade does (IMO - neither CHI nor NJ were in high risk positions like the other teams; those two can afford to sign a B-level guy if need be).

[indeedproceed]

Dear Chris Bosh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM

[Birdbrain]

For those big on stats Bosh is the equivalent of KG.  I see him more as the equivalent of David Lee w/ less heart and dread locks.

[indeedproceed]

Getting closer and closer to being able to declare the losers in all this. If Bosh goes to CLE, then either or NY or MIA stands to lose big time depending on what Wade does (IMO - neither CHI nor NJ were in high risk positions like the other teams; those two can afford to sign a B-level guy if need be).

I think Miami has the most chips on the table at this point. If they lose Wade somehow, it'll be armegeddon down there. Pat Riley will wear sweat pants, Micheal Beasley will be named captain, dogs and cats, living together...mass hysteria!

I think New Jersey regardless of the outcome here can come out smelling like roses. If they can't sign anyone, they can facilitate trades with thier cap room ala OKC, and see how Lopez/Favors words out.

The thing that is maddening to me about New Jersey though is that I think they are legitimately 1 power forward of say David Lee's caliber and one legit swingman (ummmm....say Iguadala's caliber) away from competing on the level the Hawks have been the last few years  

[FallGuy]

Getting closer and closer to being able to declare the losers in all this. If Bosh goes to CLE, then either or NY or MIA stands to lose big time depending on what Wade does (IMO - neither CHI nor NJ were in high risk positions like the other teams; those two can afford to sign a B-level guy if need be).

I think Miami has the most chips on the table at this point. If they lose Wade somehow, it'll be armegeddon down there. Pat Riley will wear sweat pants, Micheal Beasley will be named captain, dogs and cats, living together...mass hysteria!

I think New Jersey regardless of the outcome here can come out smelling like roses. If they can't sign anyone, they can facilitate trades with thier cap room ala OKC, and see how Lopez/Favors words out.

The thing that is maddening to me about New Jersey though is that I think they are legitimately 1 power forward of say David Lee's caliber and one legit swingman (ummmm....say Iguadala's caliber) away from competing on the level the Hawks have been the last few years  

Re: New Jersey.

You're right - they're only a couple of pieces away, however there is the danger of locking up, say, Carlos Boozer, who is an nice player but probably the third best guy on a championship team. And they don't have a clear #1. If they fill up all their salary slots with #2/3/4 guys, they'll be forever stuck in Milwaukee-like mediocrity.

[hpantazo]

what's the plan for the cavs to fill out the rest of that roster. They would have Bosh and Jamison, but no Verajao or Parker, and possibly no Shaq or Big Z. They would be left with big holes at center and SG.

[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

To be honest, and I don't want to do the work to back this up so if I'm off, I apologize.

But I faintly remember you saying something like "LeBron stays and Tor S&T's Bosh to CLE"....and I remember in my head laughing and thinking "In your dreams, pal".

Jokes on us, huh? I am dreaaaading this. The one thing I don't want to have happen in all of this hubbabalu is for a sincere superteam to emerge. That's why I want LeBron in New Jersey. Just good enough to contend, not good enough to dominate.

I actually did say this, and I am sure that was the reaction from a lot of people.  

I am very amused by all of these teams clearing so much space for these 'max' free agents.  No one in their right mind turns down 30 million dollars.  That is NOT a small amount of cash to anyone outside of a billionaire.  Of course this theory could be proven wrong in a couple of days

[Brendan]

Hilarious would be Bosh ends up in CLE, and then Wade gets p---ed and goes to NJ or Knicks. Knicks with Amare and Wade, and maybe something from a S&T of Lee could be enticing to Wade (who already has a ring and isn't a great fit with Rose.) NJ and Bulls are all set either way, but have solid young cores and the ability to get better organically.

For some reason I just hate the heat.

[MMacOH]

what's the plan for the cavs to fill out the rest of that roster. They would have Bosh and Jamison, but no Verajao or Parker, and possibly no Shaq or Big Z. They would be left with big holes at center and SG.

They like Haywood at center (although he wants more than the MLE).  They could try and re-sign Shaq (bird rights so they can go over the cap), Z (no bird rights), Powe and Sasha Kahn.  None are great options and it would be a big hole to fill.  They may also try and move Jamison for a center.

At SG, they really like Mike Miller and he has said he would come to CLE for the MLE if Lebron re-signs.

[Bahku]

Getting closer and closer to being able to declare the losers in all this. If Bosh goes to CLE, then either or NY or MIA stands to lose big time depending on what Wade does (IMO - neither CHI nor NJ were in high risk positions like the other teams; those two can afford to sign a B-level guy if need be).

I think Miami has the most chips on the table at this point. If they lose Wade somehow, it'll be armegeddon down there. Pat Riley will wear sweat pants, Micheal Beasley will be named captain, dogs and cats, living together...mass hysteria!

I think New Jersey regardless of the outcome here can come out smelling like roses. If they can't sign anyone, they can facilitate trades with thier cap room ala OKC, and see how Lopez/Favors words out.

The thing that is maddening to me about New Jersey though is that I think they are legitimately 1 power forward of say David Lee's caliber and one legit swingman (ummmm....say Iguadala's caliber) away from competing on the level the Hawks have been the last few years 

Yeah ... very often the problem with all this superstar/superteam trade talk is that people stick their necks out a little too far, and get them cut off when very little of it ever pans out. Feels like big things are about to happen, though, or not happen, as it were. (Had to TP the Bill Murray quote ... that will always get a TP out of me!).

[hpantazo]

what's the plan for the cavs to fill out the rest of that roster. They would have Bosh and Jamison, but no Verajao or Parker, and possibly no Shaq or Big Z. They would be left with big holes at center and SG.

They like Haywood at center (although he wants more than the MLE).  They could try and re-sign Shaq (bird rights so they can go over the cap), Z (no bird rights), Powe and Sasha Kahn.  None are great options and it would be a big hole to fill.  They may also try and move Jamison for a center.

At SG, they really like Mike Miller and he has said he would come to CLE for the MLE if Lebron re-signs.

Mike Miller would be a great option for them but your right, their options at center are poor. I don't see them getting Haywood. Their only choice may be to trade Hickson. I really hope they don't get Ray Allen though because that would be the nail in the coffin for our chance to get one more banner before rebuilding.

[Moranis]

If I'm Toronto I make Cleveland take Hedo in the trade as well

Bosh and Hedo

for

Varejao, Hickson, and Jamison (who is redundant with Bosh for Cleveland anyway)

Toronto could also take on West or any other player that interested them and could also send back Calderon for West, Parker, Telfair, and Moon.  In otherwords, it could be a much more complete salary dump for Toronto and they could start over much quicker, which is what I think they should do.

[nickagneta]

If the package for Bosh is Varejao, Hickson, West and Parker, well then, call me crazy but I am seriously unimpressed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Center: Bosh
Power forward: Antawn Jamison
Small forward: LeBron James
Shooting guard: Jamario Moon
Point guard: Mo Williams

Bench: Big Z(assumes he resigns), Daniel Gibson, Jawad Williams, Leon Powe, Sebastian Telefair and ?

Sorry, but to me that is a team that once again wins a lot of regular season games, that is the darling of TNT, ESPN and ABC and the NBA front offices and who once again will not even make the Eastern Conference Finals due to a lack of toughness and heart.

If Cleveland wants to do this and Bosh does to, I'm all for it. That teams is extremely beatable in a seven game series.