Reflecting on both the work stoppage and his team being stopped two victories shy of a championship by the Dallas Mavericks in last season’s NBA Finals, Bosh found himself in an introspective mode during an appearance on ESPN Radio’s "Mike & Mike in the Morning."

"It was highs and lows; it was more lows than highs," he said of the
2010-11 season, the Heat’s first with the collaboration with Bosh,
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. "It was tough, because most of the time
when we won, it was just a relief. It wasn’t really just like, ‘Oh my
God, I can’t believe we did it.’ It’s like, ‘Whew, OK, that’s over. Now
we’ve got Round 2.’ It was a learning experience."

Bosh said part of the equation might have been expecting too much too soon.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-chris-bosh-s091511,0,6459501.story

Chris Bosh will be joining Dwyane Wade as a member of the Miami Heat — as was widely expected.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard first reported the package deal and multiple sources with access to Wade quickly confirmed.

What still remains unclear, is whether Bosh will sign outright when contracts can officially be announced or will he go via sign and trade, gaining the Raptors something in return and gifting Bosh with an extra year and $30 million US over the life of his contract.

The Raptors have not yet heard anything official, but will have until midnight Thursday morning to work out a deal with Miami before Bosh will legally be allowed to sign outright.

Miami wants Toronto to take on Michael Beasley’s contract which would open up more room to also add LeBron James — who will announce his destination Thursday night.

With Beasley on the books, Wade, Bosh and James would each have to take less than max money due to cap space issues.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Basketball/NBA/Toronto/2010/07/07/14633156.html

ESPN’s NBA contributor Dan LeBatard reports that the Raptors are poised
to complete a sign-and-trade deal with Miami that would see Bosh go to
the Heat for power forward Michael Beasley, point guard Mario Chalmers
and forward Joel Anthony.

According to Lebatard’s Twitter message on Wednesday, Bosh and fellow
potential free agent Wade share the same agent so there’s no tampering
involved.

Bosh opted out of the final year of his contract with the Raptors, leaving more than $17 million on the table to join a free agent class that includes Wade and LeBron James.

The seven-year veteran averaged career-highs with 24 points and 10.8 rebounds this year.

However, the Globe and Mail has disputed the initial report, with one source telling the paper, flat-out, "There is no truth to that."

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=326147

"I don’t want to be mentioned as an addition to a team," Bosh said prior
to the season. "I want to be mentioned as the guy that
people want to center their team around."

Bosh hasn’t changed that stance, adding recently that he’s making his decision separate from LeBron James or anyone else. Bosh is frequently mentioned as the bronze medal in the Free Agency Olympics headlined by LeBron and Dwyane Wade. Bidders can do a lot worse than bronze. While the pairing of Bosh with one of his former Team USA teammates could form the foundation of a title contender, the 26-year-old power forward could just as easily strike out on his own.

Bosh’s independent streak is a significant variable in a marketplace that so many assume will be dictated by LeBron. Bosh could be the first domino to fall if he decides to leave Toronto when free agency begins July 1, causing a ripple effect among the teams with significant cap space and those angling for a premier free agent through a sign-and-trade.

Unlike the situation facing James in Cleveland, Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo acknowledged that he would be agreeable to a sign-and-trade if a new deal isn’t worked out with Bosh. Toronto’s first priority is to re-sign its five-time All-Star and career scoring leader. The Raptors can offer a max contract of six years and $130 million.

There’s no inkling that such a sign-and-trade agreement exists between James and the Cavaliers, a franchise currently without a coach and with a new general manager. Bosh’s willingness to negotiate with several of the nine teams that have significant cap space (more than $14 million) and those putting together attractive sign-and-trade packages could create a feeding frenzy more dynamic than what LeBron is heading into.

The list of realistic suitors for LeBron appears to be more exclusive, led by Cleveland, Chicago and New York, with several long shots such as New Jersey, Dallas and the Los Angeles Clippers possibly in the mix. While those squads focus their energy on James and most assume Wade is staying in Miami, the rest of the league looking to upgrade could zero in on Bosh as its most practical superstar alternative.

As long as Bosh settles on at least two teams as a possible destination for next season, the bidding war can begin. The more teams, the more heated it becomes. That would benefit Colangelo in his hunt for the best possible package — players, draft picks and/or cap space — should Bosh split town.

Bosh is keeping his options open. Reports have surfaced of a list of teams, ranging from five to much more, that Bosh would be amenable to in a sign-and-trade. His agent, Henry Thomas, has shot down the existence of such a list coming from the Bosh camp, adding that his client is evaluating his choices. Thomas and Bosh have also said that a "free agent summit" isn’t on the horizon.

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/art_garcia/06/20/chris.bosh/?ls=iref:nbahpt1

One translation of his recent interview put it thusly:

“When the cir*****stances turned against me, I lost my enthusiasm for (Toronto). My lawyers have talked to the front office recently. Honestly, I do not want to go back to Toronto. My lawyers talked to Mr. Colangelo and I hope that they will come up with a solution soon.”

One solution is packaging Turkoglu with Chris Bosh in a sign-and-trade transaction.

With about $22 million in cap space beyond what is earmarked for Dwyane Wade, the Heat could afford to take on such a package by merely sending out the likes of Michael Beasley in return.

Such a move would get the Raptors out of the remaining four seasons on a Turkoglu contract that does not expire until after 2013-14, when it maxes out at $12 million.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_basketball_heat/2010/05/would-bosh-and-turkoglu-be-enough.html

The list of teams included the Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles
Lakers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks. Sources said that list was given
to Toronto management in case the Raptors want to construct a
sign-and-trade deal if Bosh doesn’t re-sign with Toronto.

Sources said the Raptors prefer a sign-and-trade if Bosh is intent on leaving Toronto. Bosh reportedly likes that option as well. The Raptors likely would want a big man to replace the 6-10, 230-pound Bosh in the lineup.

One source said that Bosh’s decision hinges on where LeBron James signs. If James leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers and opts sign with either the Knicks or the Bulls, Bosh may also land there along with James.

Bosh, 26, is an unrestricted free agent. He averaged 24 points per game last season and has averaged 20.2 points per game for his career.

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=322271

http://twitter.com/HOOPSWORLD/status/14117955484

Chris Bosh admires the Blazers for their ability to continue winning games despite injuries and adversity.

"They’ve had a lot of injuries, but they’ve weathered the storm," Bosh
said before Portland beat Toronto 109-98 Sunday night. "They find ways
to win. That’s what this league is all about."

The Raptors hope to overcome their own adversity and convince Bosh to stay in Toronto.

Bosh, who likely will be one of this summer’s most coveted free agents, is keeping his options open. If the Raptors continue to fade and miss the playoffs, his decision could be much easier.

If Bosh does become a free agent, the Blazers should make a serious effort to sign him.

The 6-foot-10, 210-pound Bosh is averaging 24.1 points and 11.2 rebounds per game and, with Memphis’ Zach Randolph, is one of two players averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game this season.

Bosh is a four-time All-Star and member of the gold medal-winning 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

Bosh and the Blazers don’t sound optimistic that Portland could be a potential destination for him.

"I think they’re already set. Especially with the acquisition of (Marcus) Camby, and they have LaMarcus (Aldridge)," Bosh said. "They’re pretty much locked up at the four position."

The Blazers also do not have enough room under the NBA’s salary cap to sign a free agent of Bosh’s stature.

The Blazers’ scenario could change, though, if Bosh tells the Raptors that he is opting out of his contract and will not return to Toronto. And with the way the Raptors are playing these days — five straight losses and nine losses in their last 10 games — that’s not a far-fetched possibility.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/nba/2010/03/nba_insider_if_chris_bosh_decides_to_leave_toronto_the_blazers_should_go_after_him.htm

Tracy McGrady took the first chance he got to leave Toronto and ended up playing for the Orlando Magic in his home state.

Chris Bosh will have a similar decision to make this summer, and
McGrady – who like Bosh began his career in Canada – can see the
All-Star forward skipping town.
"He’s been here for quite some time now," McGrady said. "He personally has been successful. The team really hasn’t done that much. Maybe he wants to start off fresh with another franchise. Or maybe he’s doing it for tax reasons.

"I’m not speaking (for) Chris Bosh. I’m just saying, the individual that wants to move on . . . there are different reasons why a guy wouldn’t want to play (in Toronto)."

The Knicks’ primary target this summer is LeBron James, but team president Donnie Walsh has also cleared enough salary-cap space to sign two max free agents. Conceivably, the Knicks could present James with an offer to pick which other high-profile free agent he’d like to play with. Coincidentally, LeBron has previously said he wants to play with Bosh.

Friday night, Bosh, who was unavailable for comment, was scratched from the lineup due to an upset stomach. He had missed Toronto’s previous six games with a sprained ankle.

The Raptors, who have made it clear that they want to re-sign Bosh, have an advantage because they can offer him the most money.

According to a league source, the Raptors believe that if Bosh doesn’t return they would consider using him in a sign-and-trade. In fact, any deal with the Knicks would likely have to include free-agent-to-be David Lee.

When Raptors president Bryan Colangelo was asked about Bosh’s future Friday night, he said, "the intention all along has been to retain him. We still remain the most viable option for him to get the most money and the most years. And that’s not changing."

Bosh, who is from Dallas, remains noncommittal about his future. If the Raptors fail to reach the second round of the playoffs, there is a strong possibility that Bosh will leave.

In Bosh’s two previous trips to the playoffs, Toronto lost in the first round.

McGrady’s one and only postseason appearance with Toronto came in 2000, when the Knicks beat the Raptors in four games. At times, McGrady was the best player on the court, which helped him in the free agent market. Three months after that playoff

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2010/03/06/2010-03-06_chris_bosh_has_chance_to_leave_toronto_raptors_this_summer_new_york_knicks_may_l.html

ARLINGTON, Texas — Although the biggest names of the impending
free-agent class are LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the player involved
in the most speculation is Chris Bosh because it’s assumed he’ll leave
the Toronto Raptors at the end of the season.

”It doesn’t bother me,” Bosh said of the speculation. ”I think it bothers the people of Toronto more so. I’m just curious as to why. Everywhere I hear, ‘He’s gone, he’s gone,’ and I just want to know why people say that.”

Playing in Canada is a big reason. American players with the Raptors end up paying more in taxes because they pay taxes in both countries.

But Bosh — who’s definitely on the Bulls’ radar — said he hasn’t made any decisions because it’s too early to know what the situation will be this summer.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/2048460,CST-SPT-starnt15.article