Advertisement
July 9, 2009
So much for speculation.
Wednesday in this very blog, we discussed that the departure of Ben Gordon from Chicago (to Detroit via free agency) likely meant that the Bulls were happy with Kirk Hinrich and that the former Jayhawk would join rookie phenom Derrick Rose in the team's backcourt for quite a while.
My how quickly things can change --- or at least can be rumored to change.
Thursday, the hot news around the NBA was that the Bulls were discussing a three-team deal that would ship Hinrich to Portland, Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas to Utah and Utah big man Carlos Boozer to the Windy City.
In financial terms, that's a blockbuster deal, even if all three names don't jump off of the screen at you.
Hinrich has proven to be an incredibly solid guard and still has some mileage left on his tires. Thomas is a freak athlete with great potential who is still very much in the early stages of his career. Boozer.... he's the most proven of the three. Landing him would give Chicago a serious low-post scoring presence as well as one of the hardest-working bigs in the league.
It's a deal that makes sense for many reasons for all three teams. It also brings about a handful of questions.
The most obvious is why would the Bulls allow two of their three top guards to get out of two so easily? Up-and-comer John Salmons does play a guard spot, but not in the same traditional way as Gordon and Hinrich.
The answer to the question is simple.... they're thinking bigger. As any NBA fan knows by now, the free agent class of 2010 (next summer) is full of franchise names. LeBron James is by far the biggest fish in that ocean and many teams are expected to make their pitch to King James next summer.
But right behind him on the list --- somewhere ahead of Paul Pierce --- is Chicago native and all-world superstar Dwyane Wade.
Could the Bulls be moving Hinrich, Thomas and their hefty contracts to free up cap space to make a run at D-Wade??? From where I sit, that would not be a terrible move.
In the meantime, the Bulls are in conversations with free agent Jannero Pargo, a former Chicago guard who played three season with the team from 2003-2006.
Coincidence? Who knows.
At this point, it's still just a rumor and might never actually happen. But there are reasons to believe that a deal like this could benefit all parties involved, including Hinrich.
Here are a few links that examine this situation more closely.
Comments
suttonku (anonymous) says...
this article is just repeating what was said on espn.com cant you guys dig a little deeper than that???
July 9, 2009 at 11:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
I like the idea of Kirk going to Portland to play with Brandon Roy...that would certainly make the Trailblazers better...plus what you have to understand is that kirk is getting paid 10 million dollars a year so I understand why the Bulls would want to move him around to make room for the cap...now if the Trailblazers had just kept Brandon Rush they would be able to compete in the West...
July 9, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
We don't actually cover the NBA, so no. The idea behind this blog is to bring to your attention to things that happen with the Jayhawks in the NBA in case you miss them and to generate conversation about those things, regardless of where they are or aren't reported.
Hopefully, you can enjoy it for what it's worth.
And for the record, the original ESPN story that I linked to had nothing whatsoever about Dwyane Wade in it. Clearly, they dug a little deeper and added it to their story.
Who cares, though. The main question for what's relevant to this site is: What do you think of the move should it happen? Good for Hinrich, bad for Hinrich, good for Portland, bad for the Bulls?
That's what we're trying to do here...
July 9, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waywardJay (anonymous) says...
Ok matt..... I busted on you a couple weeks ago about paul pierce.... Im back again....
Your suggesting Wade to Chicago is a good thing.....
Tell me, Sir..... who can hit the broad side of a barn from twenty feet ?????
Rose or Wade ??? Neither of them has college level threedom.... let alone NBA level.... I get it, Wade back home.....Rose is home...it's a block party..... BUt seriously.... neither of them have a 3 shot between them so nix that thought all together.... it makes more sense to bring in Paulie than it does Dwade with Derrick rose on this team...... At Least Paullie brings a ring AND a three.....
Where do I apply ??? Seriously, If you sports reporters know so much.... GIve me an Application..... next you will suggest that Danny Granger should be traded for Z's contract ...so he can team up with lebron james.....
July 10, 2009 at 12:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waywardJay (anonymous) says...
im also a bit perplexed on the whole hinrich backcourt with Brandon Roy..... im not saying it won't work... just wondering there is enough speed there..... Monta Ellis would make more sense.... but.... he's more expensive
July 10, 2009 at 12:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Final4KU (anonymous) says...
This deal makes sense for all 3 teams involved. Bulls need low post scorer and have no use for a player making as much as Hinrich to be a backup to their star player. Blazers need a point guard and Hinrich would be perfect. He can dish and play D as Portland has plenty of scoring options. He's certainly an upgrade over Steve Blake. Utah wants Millsap more than Boozer, probably cause they want to move to the future sooner rather than later. I like the deal, and there will probably be a few more players/draft picks/cash involved so this deal makes sense
July 10, 2009 at 1:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Don't think Wade and Rose in Chicago will happen. They're both MVP candidates playing nearly the same position. But the option to choose one or the other? Surely.
What kind of player do you think the Bulls could trade with Rose, if they decided to sign Wade? What kind of draft pick? Future considerations?
Hinrich going anywhere seems great to me. Lot's of teams need a floor leader. How about Philly, Atlanta, New York, Memphis, New Orleans? Hinrich and Chris Paul could be dangerous. Dallas needs a guy like Kirk. He's uber valuable because there isn't a system in the league that doesn't covet a guy with his overall qualities.
Tyshawn's stock has skyrocketed because he has proven to be a legit combo guy. A heady, 6'3", floor-running guard with ball skills and confidence. That's Kirk too. So wherever he goes, he'll help.
July 10, 2009 at 1:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
kirk and Tyshawn are two completely different players...Kirk shoots way better and Tyshawn is way more athletic...but i do agree with you that Dallas needs a guy like Kirk but they have no one that they could possibly trade to get him...not sure who Portland would trade either...but consider in your mind the idea that Portland could have had Rush, Kirk, Brandon Roy, Lamarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and throw in Greg Oden I guess (even though he sucks)...that would be a great team and oh yeah forgot about Rudy Fernandez...that team could compete with LA and Denver...this trade would be good for Portland depending on what they give up...but from what I have heard this is far from a done deal so lets not get all worked up about it just yet
July 10, 2009 at 2:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Oh and I forgot about Steve Blake who would probably back up Kirk
July 10, 2009 at 2:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Oh and Matt I am happy youre covering the Kirk situation but what about Drew Gooden? I heard he may be on the move as well
July 10, 2009 at 3:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waywardJay (anonymous) says...
Dallas has marion now, Marion plays the three drop howard dow to the 2....no need for hinrich.....
I concur, Portland having hinrich is good news.... im just worried about overall speed..... none of those guys has outstanding speed.....
I love boozer in chicago.... though im not sure red is his color.....
and tyrus thomas soun dslike a trade commodity more than a replacement....that might be packaged... but then again.... they don't really have a cetner either...... 4-5 power forwards......
July 10, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
Some good thoughts here.... Haven't heard much on Gooden, but I'll look into it when I get a chance. I'm sure he'll draw plenty of interest and I have heard that Denver, the Clippers and at least one other team (I can't remember which) have talked about adding him.
I'm sure it'll be a matter of making sure the finances match up and that he'll have a spot in the rotation.
As for Hinrich.... it seems like he's really in a win-win situation here. Going to Portland gives him a chance to be a starter on an up-and-coming club that's loaded with talent. In addition, he'd provide some experience and veteran leadership that the Blazers desperately need.
If he stays in Chicago, though, he's also in a good situation, as evidenced by the Bulls' run in the playoffs last season.
It seems like a change of scenery would be best for him since going somewhere in a trade would land him on a team that truly wants him as opposed to on a team that might be looking to deal him whenever possible.
Either way, it seems certain he'll be playing for a playoff contender next year.
July 10, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doolindalton (anonymous) says...
A story about Kirk Hinrich is not a story about the "NBA." It's a story about one of the two or three best players to play the perimeter for the Jayhawks. The Journal World should be aware of the distinction; if not, you need a new sports editor.
July 11, 2009 at 6:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yovoy (anonymous) says...
wade can't shoot the 3? i didn't think so either 'til i watched usa basketball last summer.
hinrich is every bit as athletic as tyshawn, and he's faster w/ the ball in his hand. that guy would be down court (when he had to, many times he took the outlet, bounced it once or twice then kicked it ahead) in about 4 or 5 bounces! that's one of the first things that struck me about him when he was a frosh, how fast he covered ground and changed direction w/ the ball in his hand. one of the best i've seen.
btw, i liked this article.
July 11, 2009 at 6:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )