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J (Milwaukee)


Anyone in the Lakers front office get excited when they were on Bosh's list?
Chad Ford
(1:26 PM)


No, because they knew about this in February. The Raptors and Lakers had the parameters of a deal in place for a Bosh for Bynum deal. LA eventually pulled out because they were unsure how the addition of Bosh would affect chemistry mid-season and they were concerned that Bosh could bolt via free agency in the summer. Both concerns should go away this summer and the two teams agreed to revisit talks after the playoffs ended. They are in a very good position to land Bosh if that's where he wants to play. It's the Raptors first choice among the sign-and-trade options available to them.

Sam D (NY)


What kind of chances do you think the Knicks have of realizing the ideal FA scenarios (Lebron/Bosh, Wade/Bosh, Lebron/Dirk, Wade/Dirk) you discuss in your Lebron article? If they can't pull this off what kind of FAs will they pursue? Please don't tell me that max contracts will be offered to Boozer/Johnson
Chad Ford
(1:09 PM)


I actually think they have a better chance of getting Wade/Bosh than LeBron/Bosh. It sounds like Dirk Nowitzki really wants to stay in Dallas and this is really just haggling over the numbers. I don't think the Knicks would offer max deals to Boozer, Joe Johnson or Amar'e. Instead I think they'd add some more mid-level free agents and save some of their cap space for 2011. But I think Mike D'Antoni would have a tough time living with that outcome. He came to NY to win starting this summer.
Jeff (jax)

Lebron took the shorter contact last time. Is there any talk he might do it again? What's the percentage that this might happen?
Chad Ford
(1:10 PM)


I don't think he, Wade or Bosh will because of the new collective bargaining agreement that is coming. It's likely to reduce the amount of max contracts by up to 40%. This summer is the last chance to get a huge, five or six year contract. Expect all three to sign 5 or 6 year deals.

Craig (Houston)


Don't the Rockets have the most attractive combination of picks and players to Sign and Trade one of the Big 3?
Chad Ford
(1:13 PM)


They're going to try. I spoke with a Rockets source in Chicago who said they were going to make a strong run at Bosh via sign-and-trade. However, a few hours later I learned that the Rockets weren't on Bosh's short list. The Rockets do have some pieces to offer ... but it sounds like Bosh doesn't want to go home to Texas.

Phil (Chicago )


Chad, with your comments about LeBron and Wade playing better with the ball in their hands, doesn't that work the same with LeBron and Rose. Would Rose and LeBron be a good fit ?
Chad Ford
(1:21 PM)


Not ideal for the same reason. But if the Bulls land Bosh and can also keep Noah (I'm sure the Raptors would try to pry away Noah in a Bosh deal but I'm told the Bulls won't agree to trading him) ... they would be very, very good. The idea is that in New York and Miami, where there are more limited assets, it doesn't make sense to spend all of your money on those two guys ... and not have any cash left for the surrounding cast.

J (Milwaukee)


Anyone in the Lakers front office get excited when they were on Bosh's list?
Chad Ford
(1:26 PM)


No, because they knew about this in February. The Raptors and Lakers had the parameters of a deal in place for a Bosh for Bynum deal. LA eventually pulled out because they were unsure how the addition of Bosh would affect chemistry mid-season and they were concerned that Bosh could bolt via free agency in the summer. Both concerns should go away this summer and the two teams agreed to revisit talks after the playoffs ended. They are in a very good position to land Bosh if that's where he wants to play. It's the Raptors first choice among the sign-and-trade options available to them.

Luv 4 da game wrote:

Craig (Houston)


Don't the Rockets have the most attractive combination of picks and players to Sign and Trade one of the Big 3?
Chad Ford
(1:13 PM)


They're going to try. I spoke with a Rockets source in Chicago who said they were going to make a strong run at Bosh via sign-and-trade. However, a few hours later I learned that the Rockets weren't on Bosh's short list. The Rockets do have some pieces to offer ... but it sounds like Bosh doesn't want to go home to Texas.

Luv 4 da game wrote:

J (Milwaukee)


Anyone in the Lakers front office get excited when they were on Bosh's list?
Chad Ford
(1:26 PM)


No, because they knew about this in February. The Raptors and Lakers had the parameters of a deal in place for a Bosh for Bynum deal. LA eventually pulled out because they were unsure how the addition of Bosh would affect chemistry mid-season and they were concerned that Bosh could bolt via free agency in the summer. Both concerns should go away this summer and the two teams agreed to revisit talks after the playoffs ended. They are in a very good position to land Bosh if that's where he wants to play. It's the Raptors first choice among the sign-and-trade options available to them.

Interesting ...

Luv 4 da game wrote:

J (Milwaukee)


Anyone in the Lakers front office get excited when they were on Bosh's list?
Chad Ford
(1:26 PM)


No, because they knew about this in February. The Raptors and Lakers had the parameters of a deal in place for a Bosh for Bynum deal. LA eventually pulled out because they were unsure how the addition of Bosh would affect chemistry mid-season and they were concerned that Bosh could bolt via free agency in the summer. Both concerns should go away this summer and the two teams agreed to revisit talks after the playoffs ended. They are in a very good position to land Bosh if that's where he wants to play. It's the Raptors first choice among the sign-and-trade options available to them.

Interesting ...

gerrit4 wrote:Houston was not on the list.

How would you know that they'd be the first option for the Raptors? I mean, Ford has some bogus info at time, but I guarantee he's more connected than you or I.

We actually have very high reporting standards at ESPN.

L3M0NAD3 wrote:

gerrit4 wrote:Houston was not on the list.

How would you know that they'd be the first option for the Raptors? I mean, Ford has some bogus info at time, but I guarantee he's more connected than you or I.

Interesting because I kept reading reports stating that Houston was on the expanded list.

And obviously I DONT know what the Raptors first option would be, which is why I stated "I think" their first choice would be Houston (and thats my opinion, what I would do as well). I didn't claim to know what the Raptors were planning on doing.

Chad Ford's Twitter
Note on Bosh ... I was told that none of the Texas teams (Rockets, Mavs, Spurs) and OKC weren't on the list ..

Luv 4 da game wrote:

J (Milwaukee)


Anyone in the Lakers front office get excited when they were on Bosh's list?
Chad Ford
(1:26 PM)


No, because they knew about this in February. The Raptors and Lakers had the parameters of a deal in place for a Bosh for Bynum deal. LA eventually pulled out because they were unsure how the addition of Bosh would affect chemistry mid-season and they were concerned that Bosh could bolt via free agency in the summer. Both concerns should go away this summer and the two teams agreed to revisit talks after the playoffs ended. They are in a very good position to land Bosh if that's where he wants to play. It's the Raptors first choice among the sign-and-trade options available to them.

Interesting ...

EZ wrote:Oh man...Bynum's knees scare me.

But of the options available (based on unconfirmed sources), I guess he is the best option to come back.

gerrit4 wrote:

Chad Ford's Twitter
Note on Bosh ... I was told that none of the Texas teams (Rockets, Mavs, Spurs) and OKC weren't on the list ..

AfricanSensation wrote:Seriously that Bynum deal would be too good to be true.
A 22 year old talented true Center with 20-10 potential, on a short 2 year deal with a team option for a 3rd, for a guy who we could just lose for free? Where do I sign?

What not to like about that deal? I mean if the guy is injured, too bad, we were supposed to suck for 2 years anyway, dump him in 2 years and collect high picks in the process. If he is healthy, you actually have the 2nd or 3rd best Center in the conference who is 22-23 and can actually complement Bargs!