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.