The Raptors have re-signed 23-year old power forward Amir Johnson. Johnson played in 82 games (5 starts) in his first year with the Raptors last season and he averaged 17.7 minutes, 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He has now played in 217 games (29 starts) in his five years in the NBA in which he has averaged 15.2 minutes, 4.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game. Despite Johnson being a backup player to this point in his career, he still has a huge upside and the Raptors are glad to have him back on a 5-year, $34 million dollar deal.

Rumors are circulating that the Raptors will sign and then trade power forward Chris Bosh tonight at midnight to the Heat for 22-year old point guard Mario Chalmers, 24-year old power forward Michael Beasley and 27-year old center Joel Anthony. This can’t be confirmed until tonight at midnight. The Raptors likely won’t stop there as they also have guards Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack as well as small forward Hedo Turkoglu on the trading block. I don’t see the Raptors going into a complete rebuilding mode though as I think they will target bargain players in free agency promising them more minutes. Tony Allen, Shannon Brown, Travis Outlaw, Craig Smith and Alex Barron could be some targets of the Raptors.

UPDATE: (7/1/2010) - The Raptors did not trade Chris Bosh to the Heat, at least not yet, as the proposed trade didn’t happen last night. Just a Miami journalist (Dan Labatard) making stuff up.

The Toronto Raptors have acquired 22-year old center Solomon Alabi (the 50th overall pick of the NBA Draft) from the Mavericks for a future second round pick and cash considerations. Alabi played in 32 games (all starts) for Florida State last season and he averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 2.3 blocked shots per game. He played in 77 games (68 starts) in his 3 years in college and he averaged 9.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 2.1 blocked shots per game. This was a good trade for the Raptors as Alabi is a legit center at 7′1″, 251 pounds.

The Raptors have selected 20-year old power forward Ed Davis with the 13th overall pick of the first round. Davis is built a lot like Chris Bosh as he is 6′10″, 225 pounds and he might get his old starting spot when the 2010-11 season starts. Davis played in 23 games (all starts) for North Carolina last season and he averaged 13.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 2.8 blocked shots per game. He finished his career playing in 61 games (25 starts) for the Tar Heels in which he averaged 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 2.1 blocked shots per game. This was a excellent pick for the Raptors as Davis is still getting better.

The Toronto Raptors are a team in flux right now. Chris Bosh is likely leaving and there are rumors that Hedo Turkoglu could be traded tomorrow night. The rumor surrounding Turkoglu has him going along with the 13th overall pick to the Timberwolves for small forward Corey Brewer and the 23rd overall pick. Compounding the fact that the Raptors could be losing two of their starting frontcourt players is the fact that they don’t appear to happy with Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack at the point guard position as they are likely both on the trading block too. Draft “experts” seem to think that the Raptors are going to draft shooting guard Avery Bradley out of Texas but I think that would be a mistake as they will be lacking big time on the frontcourt.