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Bulls Fri Jul 10 2009
Trade Rumors: Boozer to Bulls?
The Bulls, Utah Jazz and Portland Trailblazers are involved in a verbal menage a trois, so to speak, that would --and this is all hearsay-- send power forward, Carlos Boozer to Chicago, Tyrus Thomas to Utah and Kirk Hinrich to Portland. For Chicago the speculative trade talks suggest that the front office is growing weary of waiting for Tyrus to grow into his potential and truly flourish; Boozer is an elite offensive force in the paint and would be a (relatively slight) defensive upgrade over Thomas as well, sans Tyrus' explosive shot-blocking talent and apocalyptic athleticism. With only one year left on his contract the trade for Boozer should be seen as essentially a one season rental before, inevitably, Boozer heads for greener pastures in the 2010 free agent bonanza. However, this isn't even close to a bad thing as Boozer's expiring contract will give Chicago a great position to go out and grab a Bosh or Wade...
The potentially crippling aspect of this trade is sending Hinrich to Portland. Captain Kirk who is a vastly underrated defender serves as a perfect 6th man to back up Derrick Rose off the bench. With the loss of the mercurial Ben Gordon earlier in the off season, the Bulls should not be wanting to shop Kirk without getting something great from the Blazers in return.
Again this is only speculation for now, but in the NBA where there's smoke, there is always a fire. Potential weekend updates to follow!
skpenrod / July 17, 2009 6:05 PM
For surd Portland locked up their money in Milsap to encourage Utah to make this trade with them, but they think that gives them control. noway!