Music: {allcanada} A 'perfect storm' for Bosh exodus

Monday, June 28, 2010

{allcanada} A 'perfect storm' for Bosh exodus

Chris Bosh's departure from the Toronto Raptors sounds like a done deal.

General manager Bryan Colangelo told Toronto all-sports radio station the Fan 590 on Monday that he expects the all-star forward to leave as a free agent.

Making his strongest statements yet on the subject, Colangelo added that he was hopeful Bosh would help the Raptors get something in return.

"I think it's likely that he will leave," Colangelo said. "The question is will he put us in a position to benefit from the sign and trade scenario that can net him the most money and us something coming back."

Colangelo's comments come amid a wild bout of speculation that Bosh is headed to either the Miami Heat or Chicago Bulls.

Detroit Pistons forward and former Raptor Charlie Villanueva posted on his Twitter account that Bosh was headed to Miami.

"Sorry to break Toronto heart, I love that city, but Chris Bosh is heading to Miami," he wrote.

Earlier Twitter talk had Bosh headed to Chicago.

Colangelo said it seemed like "there was a movement" for Bosh and fellow free agents LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to end up in the same spot.

Wade is currently with the Heat, while the Cleveland Cavaliers are pressing hard to re-sign James.

Colangelo added that the current circumstances in free agency work in Bosh's favour as "three teams have double max allowable space," meaning they have room under the salary cap to sign two players at the league maximum.

"It's a perfect storm for Chris to leave," Colangelo said.

The Raptors haven't given up on bringing back Bosh, Colangelo added, but they were just facing reality.

"I still have that intention and that desire but it's becoming more and more clear that's not going to happen," he said. "Now we need to decide what the best way is to come out of this."

Colangelo said Ed Davis, whom the Raptors selected in last week's NBA draft, is a piece that will be part of the next phase of building the team.