Get Your Rumor On: Bulls-Jazz-Blazers Three-Way

You're not really tired of all the offseason rumors, near-deals, unnamed sources, and "whispers." (Who whispers in these conversations, anyway? Couldn't you just make the call on your way home in the car? Does anyone think Pritchard has his employees' cars bugged?) You're loving all of these deals that don't happen, the signings that never arrive, and all the inside information. And it's a good thing, too. Because there's more. Lots more. Like this!

ESPN's got the scoop on a rumored deal that either makes a ton of sense or none at all, depending on your point of view. Long story short?

Carlos Boozer to Chicago, Kirk Hinrich to Portland, and Tyrus Thomas to Utah. Ta-da! So how real is this thing? As usual, that depends on who you talk to.

There's been talk of Hinrich to Portland since before the draft. Multiple sources reported that Hinrich has been telling friends he's headed to Portland. Additionally, the Jazz trading Boozer would make a ton of sense in their quest to retain Paul Millsap. Chicago gets an interior scorer to take the sting out of losing Ben Gordon but who still gives them options in 2010, Utah gets to keep "Man-sap," and Portland makes the splash they're always looking for and fill an important need at point guard.

Now, this is all refuted by Woj over at Yahoo! via Twitter, who's also been a heavy hitter this offseason on breaking trades, signings, etc. His sources say there's "nothing going on" with the Bulls. Doesn't mean there's nothing, but it's definitely a strong denial from that side.

The trade has its high points if it goes through, but as Blazers Edge points out, Thomas would be the death of Jerry Sloan, and the deal doesn't make a ton of sense for Chicago. However, I'd say that getting an immediate scorer to go alongside tough rebounders and defenders Joakim Noah and Brad Miller, with Derrick Rose and Luol Deng providing the rest of the fireworks, will work for a year until they can pitch a certain Chicago native on the market next year.

And then you get the feeling that Portland: a) has to do something, and b) really does think Hinrich is the shiny new bicycle wrapped in a bow. We'll have to see if it's under the tree this season or not.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-10-2009 @ 5:23AM

Giles said...

The reason this rumor looks good for Portland is they`d be getting something, Hinrich, for nothing. Literally nothing. Not just nothing worth while, nothing at all. That is a trade? We`ll give you nothing for something? Guess the Portland folks have been listening to politicians. Boozer is a solid forward who should not have been getting Karl Malone like shot attempt numbers. Okur is a solid post who can play forward, and has gotten too few shot attempts. Isn`t Deron Williams` fault, Sloan calls the plays on the sidelines. Eaton and Ostertag should have been getting more attempts inside, but Okur can go out to the middle distance and deserves attempts from there, too. But the league is shrinking from a lack of quality big man. Where are they disappearing to, Europe? Howard has already admittedly moved from forward to center, Duncan has already unadmittedly done the same, and with Yao out injured this season, should clearly be admitted to be a center, and looks like Nowitzski needs to work on his post up game and add a power forward ahead of painfully low scoring 13 year vet Dampier, and be listed at center for the all star game, too. And the 4th all star center next season should probably be former has been Shaq! That is an awful weak bunch of centers. But who else is there? Biedrins? Murphy? Bogut? Little Okafor? Pryzbilla? Tiny Lee, who was played small forward, and still could?

7-10-2009 @ 11:20PM

Devon Connelly said...

I don't understand what is meant by thomas being the death of Sloan....can someone elaborate?

7-11-2009 @ 2:37PM

Jerry Sloan was a small forward, big guard, swing man note for his rebounding, and defense, who ran the Chicago Bulls offense in the half court, in conjunction with high post center Tom Boerwinkle, a big, strong, center, who converted his college hook shot into a hook pass. Norm Van Lier ran the fast break offense. Sloan called the offense for Utah from the sidelines even when he had John Stockton. Which is part of why Williams and Boozer resemble Stockton and Malone in style of play as much as they do. Sloan is not a free spirit, not a go out there and have fun, coach. Most nba players were pampered superstars before they got to the nba, and want to stay that way, like Peter Pan. Not under Sloan`s roof.