Jermaine O’Neal or Scottie Pippen? Is Chris Bosh’s time in Toronto running out?

Recently, Chris Bosh moonlighted as a weatherman. During the forecast, he never mentioned the dark clouds forming over his future with Toronto. 

In the past, I always believed the Raptors had a legitimate chance at re-signing their franchise face when he hit free agency in 2010. I even wrote on the topic. My view was based on two things: money and Bryan Colangelo.

First, according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s Larry Bird rules, Toronto can offer Bosh thirty million dollars more than other teams and an extra year on a ‘max’ contract. Neither is insignificant in the current economic climate.

Second, I had faith in Colangelo, a two-time Executive of the Year. I bought the sound bites and hype. I believed he’d find the right pieces for Bosh and the Canadian dinos’ to excel.

Today, my view has changed. Bosh could very well be gone. He may hop on the first flight south in sixteen months. Toronto, losers of seven straight, is broken and probably can’t be fixed in time to change their lead Raptors’ mind.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard had an interesting take on the 2010 situation. While appearing on The Fan 590’s Hoops, the well-tenured scribe argued Bosh could stay with Toronto and be another Jermaine O’Neal or sign where LeBron James/Dwyane Wade land and be another Scottie Pippen.

For Broussard, it’s money versus legacy. Take the extra bank and have a respectable career like O’Neal. Or, sacrifice a few million and become an all-time great second option next to King James or Flash.

This is an easy choice. Scottie Pippen never looked so good.

There is, however, a wildcard. The unexpected development of Andrea Bargnani gives Toronto options. Currently, the Italian is playing the five-spot, but his finesse game is best suited for power forward next to a blue-collar center.

Of course, you-know-who currently mans power forward. So Colangelo may avoid the 2010 drama and deal Bosh to a team with cap space this summer. One option is Detroit. The Pistons have the prospects to swing a trade, the cap space to offer a long-term ‘max’ contract, and a winning tradition to rival being James or Wade’s running mate.

Bosh understandably ignored the clouds forming over Toronto during his weather forecast. But, through free agency or trade, his time with the Raptors could be ending.

Jermaine O’Neal or Scottie Pippen? Stay or go? What happens with Toronto’s Chris Bosh? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for further NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of pis deceased.