Bosh To OKC Before The Deadline?
While some Thunder heads have free-agent-to-be Chris Bosh on their wish lists this summer, Art Garcia, writing on NBA.com, says why wait? Bosh, Garcia reasons, could be dealt to the Thunder before the Feb. 18 trading deadline.
If the Raptors felt compelled to move Bosh, and there are plenty of rumors out there to support such a notion, Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti could make a serious play for the lefty power forward. Not only is OKC comfortably under the salary cap, but the franchise has another two first-round draft choices this June and nice pieces to export across the border.
Would a deal of, say, ever-improving third-year forward Jeff Green, a pair of No. 1s and another youngster with potential, Serge Ibaka or D.J. White, interest Toronto? If Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo was certain Bosh was walking this summer, does such a package from OKC make sense?”
First off, let me assure you that the piece, while scintillating, is purely speculative. Last week, I laid out why the Thunder isn’t likely to make a blockbuster deal before the deadline. The organization’s long-term motives have not changed, although Bosh certainly would fit the bill of a player that makes sense both now and in the future.
The problem is, trading for Bosh now doesn’t guarantee he’ll be around in the future. Acquiring Bosh would be a big-time risk that could blow up in July if he decides to bolt for, say, the beaches of Miami or Broadway in New York. The Thunder will have then traded valuable assets for nothing. It’s that risk that partially explains why Phoenix was unable to move Amar’e Stoudemire last season after all the fuss and trade rumors regarding where he’d land.
But set aside the risk for a second (which a man in Presti’s shoes can’t afford to do), swapping Green and filler (Thomas, Harpring, Ibaka/White and both first-rounders) for Bosh (and Rasho Nesterovic’s expiring contract) could be taken into consideration because the deal wouldn’t kill the Thunder’s salary cap situation. Maintaining a sound financial future is the most important goal for the Thunder, more than holding onto current assets. And as Garcia points out, one of the team’s young stars, in this case Green, future extension essentially would be replaced by Bosh heading into the Thunder’s “use-it-or-lose-it” summer of spending.
Whether it’s all worth it, only Presti can determine. But just look at Presti’s track record, which the article effectively runs down: deals for Thabo Sefolosha, Eric Maynor and the signing of Nenad Krstic were all low-risk, high reward moves. The Ray Allen-Green swap was a bold trade but a necessary maneuver needed to clear cap space and court time.
Bartering for Bosh now has its benefits. It just seems too risky a plan for Presti.
-DM-
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Comments
@Are ya kidding:
I don’t particularly like the idea of trading for Green; but if you could say for certain that Bosh would re-sign in the summer then Bosh is DEFINITELY an upgrade on Green (currently). It’d be a great move short term and long term if he would re-sign.
But, the idea of Bosh NOT re-signing is the main reason that probably won’t happen.
Green and KD are great friends. This could upset the chemistry that’s led to a wonderful season and a bright future. Green is amazingly athletic. He stays.
Are you fans “kidding” me? Chris Bosh puts OKC into the playoffs this season and allows them to seriously contend with the West’s top teams, while not giving up Westbrook, Harden or Durant. Just think of the free agents who might be attracted to OKC to play with superstars Durant & Bosh next summer? It all comes down to whether S.Presti could sign Bosh to a long-term deal.
A core player (Green) & change for a 25 yr. old 5-time All-Star? Remember, you’ve got to give something to get something.
I HIGHLY doubt the Toronto Raptors will deal Chris Bosh. They’re in 6th place, creeping right behind Miami in the East. It makes no sense for them to not try and retain him, I don’t buy all this nonsense that “Bosh is leaving the Raptors for sure” He seems pretty happy there these days. I think it’s just NBA.com trying to hype up the trade-deadline like they do every year.
Do it! if at all possible, it’s worth the risk. Green is overvalued, so it’s not a huge loss. The worst outcome would be OKC holding onto a large chunk of cap space. But Bosh would likely re-sign given that OKC could offer him the most, and he’d get to play with Durant (and Westbrook, to some extent). Question is, can we handle two max contract players and keep Westbrook?
as much as i would LOVE to have Bosh, there’s no way i want to get rid of Jeff Green.. he’s a solid player and he does all the little stuff well.. and like the rest of our young team, he’s going to get better.. but the biggest thing is, KD and Green are best friends.. this chemistry thing we got goin’ on is the real deal, and it’s helping on the court.. KD is our superstar, and we want to re-sign him and keep him happy.. trading away his best friend (and a good player) isn’t the way to go about doing this.. yeah, yeah, i know, it’s a business, bla bla bla.. but the reality is, KD is very big on loyalty.. if we show him and his teammates loyalty, he’s likely to show that to us when he becomes a free agent..
[...] Bosh To OKC Before The Deadline? | Thunder Rumblings The problem is, trading for Bosh now doesn’t guarantee he’ll be around in the future. Acquiring Bosh would be a big-time risk that could blow up in July if he decides to bolt for, say, the beaches of Miami or Broadway in New York. The Thunder will have then traded valuable assets for nothing. It’s that risk that partially explains why Phoenix was unable to move Amar’e Stoudemire last season after all the fuss and trade rumors regarding where he’d land. [...]
Keep dreaming. LOL!
What a joke of a trade for the Raps.
Do you really think Colangelo will give up the best power forward in the game for a couple of draft picks? LOL.
Pleeease……all these rumors and speculation that Bosh will leave is primarily made up by US-based media who at most watch 1 Raptor game a season and are generally clueless.
Bosh will re-sign for the max with the team that originally drafted him and will continue to be the centerpiece in a young and upcoming team.
There will be multiple big men available this off-season. Just wait til then to see what you can do without giving anything up. Bosh, Stoudamire, and David Lee all can rebound and defend, (obviously Bosh and Stoudamire can score as well) but the Thunder don’t have to have a scoring big man. Don’t do something drastic, the Thunder are on the right path. Patient’s is a virtue!!
I’d really like to have Bosh join the Thunder. I think Green could sub Durant, but don’t think the Thunder could pay Green, Durant, Bosh, Westbrook, and Harden their worth in the next few years. As far as trading for Bosh, we could trade our 3 expirings, Thomas, Ollie, and Harpring giving them a C/PF, a PG, and a big chance at the sweepstakes next summer.
[...] makes a lot of sense for both the Raptors and Thunder, Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman thinks there is probably too much risk in trading for Bosh before the deadline. The organization’s long-term motives have not changed, [...]
[...] makes a lot of sense for both the Raptors and Thunder, Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman thinks there is probably too much risk in trading for Bosh before the deadline. The organization’s long-term motives have not changed, [...]
I believe we wouldn’t trade Green for Bosh (et al). Don’t get me wrong; Bosh is the perfect complement for the Thunder. But wait until the summer. If Bosh resigns…oh well, we sign another PF. But if Bosh leaves the Raptors, we will make the best offer available. But trading for him before the deadline with Green leaves too much at risk. And Durant and Green are friends–they both grew up in the same city (DC).
[...] am not sure what to think of this one, as, as expressed in the Oklahoman this latest rumour is pure speculation, but the fact that it was covered on NBA.com and ESPN Insider [...]
I don’t understand why everyone is so protective of Green…he really hasn’t been all that good of a player. His PER is below average, his plus-minus is dreadful and he’s playing out of position. He’s a natural 3, but with Durant there, he’ll see 10 minutes a game max at his true position, leading him to be an outgunned power forward who doesn’t grab enough rebounds, defend 4s well enough or score inside. All of those things are things Bosh can give you. He’s the piece that makes OKC a title contender.
I agree that we need to skip the trade stuff and just make a push to get him this summer. If he chooses to go elsewhere then that’s life, but I think we owe it to ourselves to at least give it a shot and I hope Presti feels the same way. We’re not gonna beat Dallas, Houston, New York, or Miami in a popularity contest, but we have plenty to offer and this team is on the rise. We just need to add the right pieces to get us to the next level. And I have no doubts that if we could just get him here he would want to stay. But getting him here is the hard part. It’s a longshot, but still a move that we need to be willing to try. If we could throw some serious persuasion his way, who knows….he might be just as intrigued by the idea as anybody else.
[...] Darnell Mayberry’s reaction: “The problem is, trading for Bosh now doesn’t guarantee he’ll be around in the future. Acquiring Bosh would be a big-time risk that could blow up in July if he decides to bolt for, say, the beaches of Miami or Broadway in New York. The Thunder will have then traded valuable assets for nothing. It’s that risk that partially explains why Phoenix was unable to move Amar’e Stoudemire last season after all the fuss and trade rumors regarding where he’d land.” Share: [...]
If just for the rest of the season, it would be no. But if they could keep him, there is no hesitation. Green as well as he has played will not get much better because he is limited both physically, his shooting and his rebounding. I doubt that Presti would do it because of the effects on the younger players that are bonded here. Not Ibaka. His upside is enormous and would start next year.
And as far out as this might seem, Mullens might be a very tough center in a year or two. Who knows what the off season will bring as teams try to keep down payrolls.
Why trade one of our core players?