On the NBA: Smoke is about to become fire in Toronto

The upcoming NBA trade deadline just got a little more interesting.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith raised some eyebrows over the weekend when he claimed that Toronto Raptors All-Star power forward Chris Bosh has already informed his general manager, Bryan Colangelo, that he will not re-sign with the team in 2010.

Of course, Bosh, who is averaging 22.8 points and 9.7 rebounds this season, will have no shortage of suitors if Colangelo does indeed put him on the block before the February 19 deadline.

The former Georgia Tech star is under contract for the 2009-10 season and has a player option for the 2010-11 campaign, but it's a foregone conclusion that Bosh will test the free agent market if he actually reaches it. Meanwhile, several NBA teams, most notably marquee destinations like New York and Detroit, have already begun planning for a 2010 free agent class that could include LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, along with Bosh.

So why not test the waters early and see what's out there?

Chris Bosh will have no shortage of suitors if he is put on the trading block before the deadline.

Predictably, Colangelo quickly dismissed the rumor in the Toronto Globe and Mail on Monday.

"It isn't true," Colangelo told the newspaper. "It's a complete fabrication."

On it's face, I could believe Colangelo. After all, it's certainly not hard to imagine a Smith faux pas. "Screamin A" has joined the likes of Chris Mortensen as former journalists, who have embraced The Worldwide Leader's seemingly new mantra of throwing things against the wall, hoping they stick.

"You just don't have those conversations this time of the year," Colangelo added. "We talk about the team and the season, but we don't talk contract or his future with the team now. You just don't do that -- and he's not on the trade market.

"It's a non-story. Stephen A. got a little carried away. I've e-mailed him to talk about it but he's in bed with the flu. Maybe the basketball Gods have something to do with that. I don't know where that story came from."

Really Bryan?

Think about it. Why would Bosh, a four-time All-Star, want to stay in Toronto?

The team lacks young talent with any considerable upside and Jermaine O'Neal, when he is actually on the floor, has proven to be a bad fit. Meanwhile, Bosh has steadfastly refused to talk about his future with the Raptors or anyone else for that matter.

Shooting down the rumor was the right move for Colangelo, who needs to keep Bosh's trade value as high as possible. But, that doesn't mean Smith's report doesn't have legs.

In fact, common sense says that it does.

The smoke is about to become fire in Toronto.