Bulls talk three-way trade with Jazz, Blazers
An NBA insider suggested Thursday that trade rumors tend to follow a familiar cycle: Once it becomes public, that usually means the deal is starting to fizzle.
The Bulls have discussed a bold three-way deal that would bring Utah power forward Carlos Boozer in a trade and still save enough salary-cap room to make a run at Dwyane Wade or another free agent next summer.
One version that has been discussed, according to a source, would send Tyrus Thomas to Utah for Boozer, then Kirk Hinrich and Tim Thomas to Portland for Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. Blake and Outlaw both have one year remaining on their contracts.
Whether this trade still has any life is anyone's guess, but there appears to be advantages for all teams involved. Since the Trail Blazers have the cap room to absorb some of Hinrich's $9.5 million salary, Utah could trade Boozer for Tyrus Thomas straight up and knock $8 million off its payroll for next season.
Portland's interest in Hinrich has been rumored for months as the Blazers sought an upgrade at point guard. But Portland might not be willing to help division rival Utah lower its payroll.
The Oregonian newspaper reported Thursday that the Blazers may be preparing an offer sheet for Jazz restricted free agent Paul Millsap, another rugged power forward. That move might be futile if Utah matches the offer, but the Jazz would be facing a hefty luxury-tax bill.
Boozer was expected to opt out of his contract this summer and become a free agent. Instead, he decided to stick around for one more season at $12.7 million. Utah's payroll is already above the luxury-tax threshold without re-signing Millsap.
Boozer has been injury prone during his five seasons in Utah and appeared in just 37 games last season. When healthy, he's one of the league's best low-post scorers. His career playoff averages in 34 games are 20.4 points and 12.4 rebounds.
From the Bulls' perspective, they would get the same results by trading Tyrus and Tim Thomas to Utah for Boozer, and Hinrich to Portland for the two expiring contracts. But payroll relief is obviously important to the Jazz. Without it, Utah might prefer sending Boozer to a different destination, such as Detroit for Richard Hamilton, who became expendable when the Pistons signed Bulls free agent Ben Gordon.
There are two other teams with some cap room available to help facilitate a trade, Memphis and Oklahoma City.
If the Bulls are going to add a high-caliber power forward this summer, Boozer appears to be the best option. The Bulls aren't all that interested in Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire, while Toronto isn't likely to trade Chris Bosh. If nothing happens this summer, the Bulls are hoping to have enough salary-cap room to pursue Bosh or Boozer in free agency next summer.
Draft picks sign: In other news, the Bulls signed first-round draft picks James Johnson and Taj Gibson on Thursday. Both were expected to take the court later in the day for the first summer-league practice.
Based on the NBA's rookie salary scale, Johnson will be paid $1.59 million and Gibson $1.04 million. All first-round draft picks get a two-year guaranteed contract.
The Bulls open play in the Las Vegas summer league Tuesday against Golden State.