POSTED: Feb. 18 -- 7:16 p.m. ET
Bosh
Chad Ford: A few weeks ago, the Bulls finally got bold, attempting to work out a complicated three-team deal that would land them Chris Bosh. The problem was, the Raptors and Suns weren't willing partners.
In comparison, Chicago's trade for Brad Miller and John Salmons seems pretty underwhelming. How is the addition of Miller and Salmons the change the Bulls really need? The answer, I think, is that it isn't. Miller was once a force in the low post, but his best years are far behind him. Salmons is a good, versatile role player, but he doesn't really address the team's weaknesses in the front court.
However, another shoe could be dropping in Chicago. League sources continue to insist that the Bulls might not be done. As Marc Stein reported this morning, the Bulls and Wolves have talked about a Kirk Hinrich trade that would send back some more cap relief (Jason Collins and either Rashad McCants or Brian Cardinal) to Chicago. If the Bulls pull the trigger on that deal, they'll have only $25 million in committed payroll coming into the summer of 2010. They could have even more space if Salmons opts out of his contract in the summer of 2010.
That would make them serious players in the 2010 free-agent market for -- you guessed it -- Chris Bosh. A source close to Bosh told me this afternoon that Chicago would be his first choice as a free-agency destination that summer.
Although another year and a half of mediocrity might be too long for some Bulls fans, a core of Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Bosh might be worth the wait.
