Apparently the Chicago Bulls have a serious interest in trading for Tracy McGrady. According to espn.com’s Chris Broussard, the Bulls are actively shopping Hinrich and using Tyrus Thomas as a “sweetener” in any deal involving Hinrich.
“As for the Bulls, Kirk Hinrich is ahead of even Tyrus Thomas on their list of players they’d love to trade. In fact, Thomas is being offered around the league as a sweetener in any Hinrich deal. But with two years, $17 million left on his contract after this season, there’s not a great market for Hinrich.”
Wanting to trade Hinrich makes perfect sense. It’s a near albatross of a contract for a mediocre player. No one will deny that Hinrich has stepped his game up lately. He’s shooting much better, even draining threes left and right, albeit against horrible teams. But his value simply isn’t worth another $17million over the next two years. As for Tyrus Thomas, the Bulls clearly would love for some sucker out there to take him off their hands. Management wants to avoid the inevitable backlash that will occur if they let Tyrus walk for nothing a la Ben Gordon. Thus, dangling a Hinrich & Thomas package is ideal for the Bulls.
However, there’s more. Broussard claims that the Rockets are interested in one particular player on the Bulls roster, although he is not sure who it is. Through the process of deduction, he comes to the obvious conclusion that it’s Joakim Noah, since Derrick Rose is untouchable.
“Chicago, which has definite interest in McGrady, also has the combination of young talent and expiring contracts the Rockets are looking for. There is a Bulls player Houston covets, but it’s not clear who that is. Since the Rockets surely realize that Derrick Rose won’t be traded, logic suggests it’s Joakim Noah.”
If Broussard at all thinks that Joakim Noah is going to be involved in any package involving Tracy McGrady, then the man has lost his marbles. Joakim Noah is nearly just as untouchable as Derrick Rose. Popularity-wise, in this city, he’s reaching Derrick’s level. Play-wise, he’s becoming all-star caliber. McGrady? McGrady hasn’t looked good since 2002. Plus, he’ll only be around for half a season, if he can even stay healthy for a long stretch. Why you ask? Well because there’s only one reason why the Bulls would even consider trading for McGrady: his expiring contract. The more cap space for the summer of 2010, then obviously the better. But alas, the Bulls would never give up Noah for MAYBE a half-season of Tracy McGrady just because of McGrady’s expiring contract. But Hinrich and Thomas? Yes please.
In terms of the basketball side of it, ith McGrady, assuming he can play, the Bulls have a finisher and a player Derrick Rose can defer to as a legitimate scoring threat. The Bulls become more competitive for half a season, and obviously do not need to rely on John Salmons inconsistent scoring ability as much. I think McGrady helps, but I don’t think McGrady makes ALL the difference in the world. Joakim Noah, definitely out of the question.
But if the Bulls can grab McGrady and his expiring contract while unloading Hinrich’s contract and avoiding letting Thomas walk for nothing, then that surely has to be considered a coup. McGrady helps basketball wise for a half a season, helping to lure free agents this summer, and best of all, his contract expires clearing a ton of cap space. That means if it gets done, McGrady’s contract is off the books this summer, Hinrich’s contract is off the books obviously since he’ll be gone, and we don’t re-sign Thomas since he’ll be gone. All this equals money to blow. Bottom line, I don’t see that happening, similarly to how it didn’t happen with the Bosh rumors a week ago. But one can dream.
Leave a comment
No comments yet.
Da Bulls' Eye 
Leave a comment