As promised, today’s column is pure basketball, triggered by trade winds.
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.
The possibility of such a deal makes sense to me. First of all, Bynum is a legit starting center for the defending champions. He also has three years left on his contract after this one.
As for the Raptors, despite the severe offseason roster renovation, they’re not giving any indication of being more than just a one-and-done playoff group this season and in the foreseeable future.
What’s Bosh’s motivation to stay? Clearly, management’s sense of urgency to protect its principal asset cannot be accentuated enough. If that’s impractical, the organization cannot afford to lose Bosh without receiving equitable compensation.
Asked by e-mail about all of the above and whether the Raptors and Lakers have discussed a Bosh-Bynum proposal, team president Bryan Colangelo, who surely is being contacted on a daily basis regarding the availability of his franchise player — especially when the team was 11-17 — he replied in kind:
“For the record, I am not actively seeking a deal or discussing Bosh with any team, much less the Lakers.
“I haven’t traded him yet and our position has been the same. We will not make a deal just to make a deal. Our intention is to keep him here long term.
“Additionally, I have not yet offered an extension as Dwyane Wade and LeBron James both received [from their respective teams]. So technically he has not said no.
“I honestly don’t think C.B. knows what the future holds, or what he wants to do, so I would say we’re still in the game as far as his pending free agency.”
In the meantime, the languishing Lakers may only have the marginal goods to obtain the likes of, say, Hornets’ forward Hilton Armstrong. Friday night they lost again (third straight road loss) to the Blazers (nine consecutive in Portland) and continue to showcase (I’m being kind) Sasha Vujacic (one year left at $5.475M) and free agents-in-waiting Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison.
What are we to think when the Blazers are able to win minus six rotation players? Either it’s a great compliment to them or a blanket indictment on the Lakers minus Pau Gasol (hamstring).
As you recall, the Lakers were evicted from the playoffs in the first round the two previous tournaments before Gasol arrived Feb. 1, 2008. They’ve been Finalists since and last season experienced ultimate success.
Yes, I realize Kobe’s finger on his shooting hand is hurting for certain. I also realize he feels he must overachieve in Gasol’s absence. But hoisting 37 shots (aborting 23) in order to score 32 points is excessively egocentric even for Bryant, particularly when visiting the welfare line a mere four times.
Conversely, Brandon Roy needed just 11 shots, making nine, and a passel of free throws (13-of-14) to register his 32-point total.
I’m almost tempted to hear Tim Donaghy’s take on the Lakers launching 95 shots and only going to the line 10 times. Meanwhile, the Blazers’ numbers were 69 and 39. Don’t cringe now, but Roy and Jerryd Bayless got more free throws (14 and 12 ) than the entire Lakers team.
“I hate Portland,” Bryant might have said. “It’s like Colorado without the checkbook.”
While questioning the competence of referees (that’s all I was doing . . . really, no really), I know 3-32 — and on the road — doesn’t buy a lot of late-game calls, but Friday night in New Orleans, the Not-yet-Nyets had a better chance of seeing FEMA than Yi Jianlian get the benefit of that very offensive foul.
It’s a sad state when Screw Jersey — even with that scintillating comeback — isn’t capable of losing on its own. At this rate, come the lottery, the not-yet-Nyets are going to own all the ping pong balls . . . as well as the Chinese ping pong team.
The franchise formerly known as the Pistons hosted what used to be the Sixers last night, looking to sneak their longest skid (11 games) in 15 seasons. And here I thought Detroit’s biggest problem was some screwball in exploding underwear.
Charles Barkley hosted “Saturday Night Live” last night. And you thought NBC couldn’t screw up late night any more.
This just in, Part I: Jim O’Brien gave Larry Bird a vote of confidence.
This just in, Part II: O.J. Simpson has denied ever going to USC.
peter.vecsey@nypost.com