Via Peter Vecsey of the NY Post:
A Lakers source told me the team had its sights set high, as usual, and planned to target the possible acquisition of Chris Bosh
when it got closer to the 3 p.m. Feb. 18 trade deadline, and the
Raptors might be more likely to move their Olympian/All-Star while
still entitled to compensation.
It commonly is believed Bosh
almost certain is to flee Toronto after this season, when he has the
right to opt out of the final year ($17.1 million) of his contract.
My source believes the Lakers will offer Andrew Bynum
for Bosh (if they haven’t done so already) well before the deadline
expires. In itself, the one-for-one swap is impossible to make. Bynum’s
“base year” essentially allows L.A. to take back but half of his salary
this year ($12.5M). Of course, that restriction is lifted when next
year’s salary ($13.7M) activates come July 1, at which time a
sign-and-trade transaction would be feasible.
In typical Vecsey fashion, he "reports" on a rumored trade that cannot work due to salary restrictions. Rather than offer a solution, say providing the names of players the Lakers could throw into the deal to make it work, Vecsey just drops the issue.
If Toronto is interested in an overpaid center who hates playing defense, then the deal makes sense. Even if the Raptors put Bosh on the market, I'm not sure they'll get much more than Bynum in return. He's going to sign with the Knicks or Heat in the off-season.
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