A few quick hits this morning as the Raptors settle in on their new club for the 2006-07 season.
The biggest news of course revolves around Chris Bosh, their All-Star forward who is expected to announce his intentions today of re-signing with Toronto. The deal however is not for the maximum of five years, but for three plus an option year. Lebron James and Dwyane Wade recently signed similar deal and it appears that Bosh is following suit. This likely has more to do with the fact that all three burgeoning stars are represented by the same agent - Henry Thomas of CMSG.
As expected, Toronto has announced the signing of free agent Anthony Parker of Maccabi Tel Aviv, and is close to inking Spain's Jorge Garbajosa.
Eddie House is still in the picture for now it seems, however that could change if the 76ers' John Salmons decides he'd rather be a Raptor then a Sun. Right now the 6-6 guard is weighing offers from both teams. Toronto would be able to offer Salmons more money and perhaps a more significant role on the team but Phoenix would allow Salmons to play for an NBA title contending team. Either way he chooses, a sign-and-trade of some sort sounds likely to occur.
On a final note (one that I know will make my associate Howland happy) it appears that Toronto is considering bringing last year's second round pick Uros Slokar over from Benetton Treviso for training camp. With an injury to Pape Sow that may keep him out for an extended period, Toronto needs some help up front and the 6-10 Slokar may be ready to step in. Of course the irony to all of this as one of our readers pointed out, is that Slokar was stuck behind Andrea Bargnani for playing time when they both played for Benetton last season and if Slokar comes over, it may be "deja-vu all over again."
FRANCHISE