The writing is on the wall concerning Bosh’s future, he’s a goner. From twitter to media speculation to visits to desired destinations, it is clear that Bosh doesn’t want to be the guy in Toronto. This quagmire polarizes fans – Camp A is adamant that Bosh is worth the max contract and is critical to the future of the Raptors while Camp B (including me) acknowledges that it’s time to move on. Yes, it’s a tough goodbye to your franchise leading scorer and rebounder and a five-time all-star, but look where “he” got us – pedestrian regular season records, first round exits, failed blockbuster trades and failed free agent signings in the name of keeping #4 in Toronto (Yes, I’m looking at you Turkoglu). From what is understood, the sign and trade scenario is the best course of action – we get some pieces back and don’t lose him for nothing. As Bosh had his best statistical season in his seven year career (coincidentally the season where he would become a UFA) his trade value is at its peak.   Here are some trade scenarios.

1. Bosh’s Max contract (est 17 million) extension in a sign and trade for Andrew Bynum ($13,842,000) and Shannon Brown ($2,220,000)

What’s in it for Toronto? – A long anticipated big man, one that isn’t washed up and is relatively young (sorry Jermaine O’Neal). Bynum has a significant amount of playoff experience for his young age (22) and is a solid shot blocker and rebounder. His impressive stature of 7-feet 285 lbs will erase that “soft” label of the Raptors frontcourt. He’s averaged 1.5 blocks over his youthful career and is a great big body to pair with Bargnani. I don’t see this panning out the way the failed “twin tower” experiment did of O’Neal and Bosh as Bynum and Bargnani have dissimilar games. Bynum has a formidable low post-game while Bargnani is a mobile shooter. This also provides an opportunity for Bargnani to move to his natural power forward position. Shannon Brown is another piece that I love – a young electric combo guard that could possibly steal some minutes from Jack.

What’s in it for L.A? – Adding the 18^th NBA champs banner above the Staples Centre (assuming they win their 17^th this year, which they will). Can you name a starting five that’s better than Gasol, Artest, Kobe, Bosh, Fisher? Didn’t think so.

Possibility? Likely. From a managerial perspective, the Lakers are concerned about winning now. They don’t mind paying the luxury tax and still have a core of aging players locked up (Artest, Gasol, Kobe). They only have Kobe for so long and a blockbuster trade such as this will add to their impressive historical string of dynasties. For Toronto, this makes sense. We need a young big man, plain and simple. Sure they might be scared by Bynum’s injury history but he is still an established centre in the NBA.

2. Bosh’s Max Contract Extension (est 17 million) + Demar DeRozan ($2,453,880) for Lamarcus Aldridge ($10,700,000) + Nicolas Batum ($1,196,760) and Joel Pryzbilla ($7,405,300)

What’s in it for Toronto? – A poor man’s version of Chris Bosh. LaMarcus Aldridge is a mobile big man who still has untapped potential. Similar to Bosh, Aldridge is an effective outside shooter and rebounds well (8.0 RPG). Joel Pryzbilla is a workhorse on the defensive end and provides a necessary shot blocking presence. Though injury prone, he provides that toughness the Raptors desperately seek. What makes this option worthwhile is Nicolas Batum, the extremely athletic swingman who is capable of shooting threes and defending tougher, faster opponents. The best part is that this was his only first complete season.

What’s in it for Portland? – An established all-star veteran to play along one of the most exciting players in the league in Brandon Roy. The Blazers get one of the best big men and can present a credible challenge to the Lakeshow. In DeRozan, they get an extremely athletic and young shooting guard that plays with energy.

Possibility? – This all depends on whether Portland is committed to taking the next step towards winning an NBA championship. Portland has a tendency to be stubborn in giving up young talent so there might be little flexibility in regards to giving up Batum. But look at what they would be getting in return – a starting five of Roy, Miller, Camby, Bosh, Webster/Fernandez. Need I say more? For Toronto, this depends on whether they believe DeRozan has a bright future. Coming from a fan who’s watched all 82 games this season, I wouldn’t be too optimistic. He’s reminding me more and more of another player we touted as a great prospect…Joey Graham.

3. Bosh’s Max Contract extension + Marco Bellinell ($2,380,00) for Luol Deng (11,335,000) + Kirk Hinrich ($9,000,000)

Whats in it for Toronto?  – Another piece to the puzzle that Toronto has long been waiting for – a mobile swingman with great versatility.  When is the last time we had one of these? I’m thinking the Carter Days. Deng is athletic and seems to be improving each year. He has a high basketball IQ, is an effective rebounder and has good passing skills. Kirk Hinrich is a combo guard that is a great shooter and passer. An added bonus is that he is a first-rate defender (career 1.3 steals) and plays with heart.

Whats in it for Chicago? – A nucleus of Noah, Rose and Bosh is worrisome for Eastern conference teams.  You’re talking about three players who are arguably the top three for their respective positions in the East. This trade will elevate the Bulls from being a tier 2 Eastern conference team (Hawks, Heat, Bucks) to a tier 1 (Celtics, Magic, Cavs)

Possibility? Probable. From what is indicated, their #1 free agent target, Wade, wants to stay put in South Beach. Their Plan B is Bosh since they need an upgrade at the power forward position. For the Raptors, we get a long coveted improvement at the small forward position and a solid veteran combo guard. However, this trade would require us to move Calderon for some frontcourt presence.

4. This is a bit of a wild card option but I think it is still worth mentioning. Let Bosh go into the free agency abyss and get nothing in return. The 2011 FA market is obviously not on the same level of the 2010 but has some well-established players (Kendrick Perkins, Al Horford, Zach Randolph, Samuel Dalembert, Tony Parker, Joakim Noah). This would also provide an opportunity to gauge direction for the Raptors – i.e. do they completely revamp the team and trade everything for draft picks (a la OKC and Portland) or build around Bargnani and DeRozan? A lack of compensation for Bosh in the 2010/11 season would be a losing season for the Dinos but it would improve our likelihood of getting a top 5 pick in the 2011 draft. In a capped NBA, losing will eventually translate into winning – just ask the Thunder and the Blazers.