Chisholm: Backcourt Help Could Keep Bosh In Toronto

[Built Ford Tough]

Nothing really new as it is mainly about the players that we have talked about as realistic options for the Raptors to trade for in Andre Iguodala, Monta Ellis and Gilbert Arenas, but I figured I would post it anyways.

 

Between now and the draft, the Raptors will make one last-ditch attempt to secure the kind of talent that could persuade Chris Bosh to re-up with the team for another tour of duty. The club knows full well that he has little incentive to return to this squad as built after they backslid out of the playoffs at the tail end of the season, and they also know that merely importing a bright-eyed rookie before free agency hits isn't going to do much to inspire him, either. If this team wants a shot at keeping Bosh, they are going to have to step up and make a bold move to show him how much.

 

Fortunately for the Raptors, this spring created a whirlwind of trade possibilities due to the amount of poor performances that occurred in the Playoffs and the unexpected results of the top of the draft lottery.

 

ANDRE IGUODALA

 

In Toronto, Iguodala would pair with Hedo Turkoglu on the wings at shooting guard, providing a creating slasher who can finish at the rim and can open up the three-point line for Turkoglu and Andrea Bargnani. He's a solid defensive player, too, and he would give the Raptors the option of guarding multiple positions and could pair with guys like Sonny Weems and Jarrett Jack in a strong defense lineup to protect Toronto's softer defensive interior.

 

To get Iguodala, the Raptors would definitely have to give up DeMar DeRozan in the deal to entice Philly to take on Calderon (who would conflict with last year's rookie Jrue Holiday at the point). Even still, Philly may be unmoved, having to take on Calderon's two remaining years, even if it is one less than Iguodala has remaining. The glut that he'd force in the backcourt with Holiday, Lou Williams and Willie Green might make Philly demand Toronto's draft pick as well, perhaps in a swap for a future first from Philly, to further sweeten the pot.

 

MONTA ELLIS

 

Ellis is owed $11-million in each of the next four seasons, but like Avery Bradley makes so much sense for Toronto in the draft, Ellis makes a lot of sense for Toronto in a trade. He's quick, can create his own shot, can pass (even if he does so reluctantly), gets steals and his presence at the point guard spot would allow for Hedo Turkoglu to do more of the playmaking for the Raptors like he needs to do to be most effective.

 

GILBERT ARENAS

 

Keep in mind, Arenas is still a lights-out scorer who can make plays for others, he spreads the floor with a three-point shot, and he's in serious career-rehabilitation mode, so you may be getting the most well-behaved Arenas the NBA has ever seen. Most importantly to that end, too, is that he's got that Alpha dog mentality to him, which provides the team with some measure of leadership whether Bosh stays or not. He's still only 28, has less mileage on his body after sitting so much over the last three years, and could be a factor for any team taking him on for the life of his contact, that only pays him until he's 32 (as opposed to the 35 that Hedo will be when his deal runs out). While a team with Arenas, Hedo, Bosh and Bargnani leaves a lot to be desired from a defensive standpoint, the club is that much better equipped to bury opponents with scoring with Arenas in toe than they were with Jose as a starter, right? Even a lineup with Arenas, Hedo, Bargnani, DeRozan, Weems, Johnson and whatever the Raps could get in return for Bosh in a sign-and-trade is at least an intriguing lineup going into next season, right? I'm not even sure who I'm trying to convince at this point.

 

There are, of course, other options floating out there that the Raptors could pursue. Guys like Rip Hamilton, Corey Maggette, Caron Butler, Baron Davis and free agent Josh Howard are out there in ‘gettable' column, but none of those guys could really be seen as a) enticing options for Bosh, or b) enticing partners for Bargnani and the Raps in a ‘re-imagining' year. It's not entirely likely that the Raptors will be able to put a deal together before the draft that could net them enough relevant talent that could seduce Bosh, but you know that Colangelo is going to at least attempt to line up the guys he may be able to get for Bosh to see if any at least pique his interest. The clock on the Bosh era is winding down but that doesn't mean Colangelo is ready to call it over.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=322219

 

Like I said above, nothing really ground-breaking as is basically the same players that we have speculated about for the past month.

 

The only two players that I would want to see the Raptors go after would be Iguodala or Ellis though. Maybe make a run at Caron Butler but seeing him be a complete non-factor in the playoffs makes you wonder just how much he would bring to the team. I want absolutely no part of Hamilton, Maggette or Davis, unless it means the Raptors are moving their albatross contract in Hedo Turkoglu to pick up one of them. If Howard plays like he has in the past and is motivated, and cheap, he could be a good pickup, but I am sure that he would walk all over Triano, Colangelo and the Raptors.

 

But yeah, the only moves I would support would be for Iguodala or Ellis, and even then, it would depend on how much the Raptors have to give up for them. Even with them and a re-signed Bosh this team is still nowhere close to contending for the NBA Championship.

Edited May 21, 2010 by Built Ford Tough