So now you know what is going to start happening: nonstop crazy trade rumors from now until the deadline. That’s especially the case in this town with Sam Smith concocting new scenarios every week (True story: I ran into Smith at a parking garage downtown a couple weeks ago. We stood next to each other waiting for an elevator and I didn’t say anything to him. Then his elevator came (he was going up, me down) and he jumped in it. Right when the door was closing, I yelled “Hey Sam, who are you trading tomorrow”. He was not amused. Smith kind of frowned at me while the doors closed. Thought you should know.). Two have already emerged, so let’s dive right into them
Ben Wallace to the Lakers for Vlad Radmanovic and Kwame Brown
I know everyone wants Wallace gone, me included, but if the Bulls do this deal, they are getting zero back in return, not even expiring contracts. Wallace’s deal runs out in two seasons after this one, as does Kwame Brown’s. Vlad Radmanovic’s 5-year deal expires the year after Wallace’s does. And if you think Ben Wallace sucks, wait until you have to watch Kwame Brown every day. I’m just warning you. So the Bulls would only do this trade under one extreme scenario: they think Wallace does far more harm then good being on the team. Remember, the Bulls have done it before. They payed Tim Thomas a boatload of money not to play, and dealt potential cancer JR Smith before the season without ever thinking of giving him a shot.
Verdict: I don’t know, but that’s why I’m not a GM. This deal is really tough to make a call on. If you don’t do it, and Wallace continues to be a prick, then the Bulls may really regret it. Right now, I would lean towards doing the deal just to banish Wallace, but it’s a tough call.
Andres Nocioni, Joakim Noah, and Tyrus Thomas to the Grizzlies for Pau Gasol and Brian Cardinal
I think I actually hate Pau Gasol at this point just from all these trade rumors the past year. Last season, Pax shot down a trade that included (as reported by some outlets) both Luol Deng and Ben Gordon. That was a good move. This reported scenario would be a lot more desirable for the Bulls, but I still wouldn’t do it. They can have one of either Noah or Tyrus and I would throw in Gordon instead of Noce. I hate Gordon, everyone knows that, but he has higher trade value too. Maybe including him saves one of the big guys. And just for the record, Gasol is pretty good, but he’s not a franchise saver like some people think he is. I mean Deng AND Gordon? That probably would have got you Kobe (pounding head into wall), who is roughly 32x times better then Easy PG. Also, just read this Brian Cardinal story. It's worth your time.
Verdict: No, not for both young big men, though I’d try to make it work somehow else.
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Comments
I kinda want Pau.
Kwame Brown is an expiring contract. That deal seems like a no-brainer to me.
Ohhhh, I looked in the USA Today salary database, I guess I screwed that up. Yeah, I guess that deal looks a little better now. And you Lakers would take off with Big Ben too, who has actually been playing a tad better recently, and grabbing a few more boards. Still, I think Noah needs the minutes and would be at least as productive right now.
So are we now at a consensus to He Gone Wallace for Kwame Brown? I'm actually on board with this.
Man, what happened to this team?
So you're telling me you'd rather pick up Brown, who (1) can't shoot; (2) doesn't play defense; (3)is soft; and (4) seems dazed and confused when on the floor. The only reason he looks somewhat productive in L.A. is because they have a playmaker named Kobe. The Bulls don't have one of those. We would basically be getting another Joakim Noah. My thoughts: stick with Wallace and surround him with guys that can make things happen. Go after Stoudamire or McGrady. We need some guys that actually have a pair if we are ever going to contend.
I think the Bulls should try hard to trade for Miami's No.2 pick. They could offer Kirk Hinrich, Either Ben Gordon or Larry Hughes and also include Andres Nocioni. If Miami won't trade the No.2 pick, then offer them the same players for Dwayne Wade, then draft Rose. Or trade for Wade and also swap first and second picks with the trade. Worst case is we wind up with Wade and Beasely. Not bad! What do other Bulls fans think about these ideas?
I'd rather pay a paper clip $14 million to literally sit on the bench in Ben Wallace's place. Pax should take anyone with a contract that's expiring before Wallace's expires. I don't like Kwame but he's signed for only one more year, and Jordan picked him, so I'd take that Lakers trade.