Cavs could help Bulls by landing Stoudemire
The All-Star Game is a memory, but the Thursday afternoon NBA trade deadline is approaching quickly. The Bulls are discussing 25 or 30 scenarios, but so far nothing has jumped to imminent status.
One thing that might help is another blockbuster trade, such as Cleveland landing Amare Stoudemire from Phoenix. The Cavs have long been rumored to be dangling Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson.
If the top team in the East makes a move, the top team in the West may feel pressure to follow suit. The Los Angeles Lakers appear to be the Bulls' best chance of moving Kirk Hinrich and creating more cap space for this summer's free-agent chase.
Both Kobe Bryant and Lakers coach Phil Jackson are fans of Hinrich and may be pushing management to make the deal.
So far, though, the Lakers have been reluctant to take on Hinrich, who has two years and $17 million left on his contract, unless they can unload Sasha Vujacic and his $5.5 million salary for next season.
The Bulls are hoping to get an asset in return for Hinrich, such as Lakers guard Shannon Brown. But when it comes down to it, both teams might have to compromise to get a deal done.
It's possible for the Lakers to give the Bulls all expiring contracts with a package of Adam Morrison, Jordan Farmar and Josh Powell.
Talks with Boston for Ray Allen have cooled down, and there were reports Monday that New York has become the most likely destination for Tracy McGrady's massive expiring contract.
The Knicks would send Jared Jeffries, rookie Jordan Hill and another player, such as Al Harrington or Larry Hughes, for McGrady and filler, Yahoo.com reported.
Such a deal would be huge for New York, which would clear about $9.5 million in cap room by unloading Jeffries and Hill. The Rockets would be getting the No. 7 pick in last year's draft in Hill, along with possibly another future draft pick.
The Bulls haven't given up on using Luol Deng to try to pry power forward Al Jefferson from Minnesota. Jefferson could be the low-post scoring threat the team has lacked or, in theory, be sent to Toronto for Chris Bosh in a summer sign-and-trade.
Thomas in limbo: The Bulls have gotten plenty of trade offers for Tyrus Thomas, but there is no guarantee the athletic and moody forward will be dealt by Thursday.
Since the Bulls are in money-clearing mode, they'd accept only expiring contracts in return. So unless they can package Thomas for a star player or get a first-round draft pick out of the deal, they'd just as soon keep Thomas for the rest of the season.
Even after serving a one-game suspension, Thomas played a huge role in the victory at Indiana last week. Trading Thomas wouldn't help the Bulls' cap space because they can always renounce his rights this summer.
Asked Monday if Thomas can finish the season on good terms, coach Vinny Del Negro didn't hesitate.
"Absolutely, no question," he said. "For anybody, you have to go to work. It's your job. You get paid to play. Anybody can go out there and lose. You want to go out there and win.
"Tyrus is a guy that can help us win basketball games. He's done it in the past. I expect him to do it if he's here, and I know he will. I don't have any issue coaching anybody."
Bull horns: The Bulls signed power forward Chris Richard to a second 10-day contract Monday. - The Bulls play eight of their next 12 games at home.