Given the fact that the Raptors once again failed to make it to the post-season, franchise cornerstone Chris Bosh certainly had plenty of time to ponder his options in the upcoming 2010 free agency bonanza. More precisely, Bosh will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1^st and is expected to leave Canada after the franchise failed to provide him with a reliable supporting cast.

According to sources close to the Raptors’ management, the 6-11 power forward gave GM Bryan Colangelo a list of four teams he would be willing to play for if a sign-and-trade deal were to happen: the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls. Obviously, Bosh could just sign a normal deal with the Knicks, Heat or Bulls, as they all have sufficient cap space available to absorb a max. contract. Yet, as Toronto has Bosh’s bird rights they would be able to sign him for an additional year as well as being able to offer higher annual raises. The total difference is estimated to be around $25 million.

Therefore, it is understandable that the Texan native would prefer the latter option which would also be beneficial to the Raptors as they could obtain something in return as opposed to simply losing their franchise centerpiece. Looking at the stripped-down rosters of the Knicks and Heat, it is hard to imagine a deal that would not involve at least one more party to get Toronto something valuable in return. Where as the Bulls certainly have talent on their roster, it is highly unlikely that they would be willing to even consider letting go of Joakim Noah to obtain Bosh. The most appealing option appears to be the Lakers since Andrew Bynum would provide T.O. with the low-post presence they desperately need. Yet, it appears to be questionable whether L.A. is interested in making any big moves considering that they have a well-functioning squad that took them all the way to the NBA Finals three consecutive years.

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