The Raptors seem destined to go through the summer and all of next season with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the franchise.
Chris Bosh, the team's best player, said he has no plans to sign a contract extension this summer, which will allow him to play out the 2009-10 season and join the significant group of free agents headlined by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. General manager Bryan Colangelo had said he wanted to talk to Bosh about a possible extension this summer, but it was widely expected that the 25-year-old, four-time all-star would play out his deal to give himself some flexibility.
Still, it's created some concern around the team because while Colangelo has no interest in trading away a guy who averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds a game last season, he might find some offer too good to turn down and make a move that would significantly alter the look of a team that stumbled to a 33-win season in 2008-09.
But the decision on Bosh is going to be difficult whenever it's made. He expects to command an extraordinary salary -- he said he sees himself worthy of a maximum-value deal -- which will have a trickle-down effect, if he stays, on how much financial room the Raptors have to offer the likes of impending free agent Andrea Bargnani and Shawn Marion, whom the team would like to keep.
The ramifications of what Colangelo does with Bosh will be felt not only this summer and next season but for many years in the future.
