PAU-ER BROKERS

By PETER VECSEY

January 21, 2007 -- EARLIER this season, I revealed Boston had offered Memphis its choice of any combination of Celtics for Pau Gasol. Michael Heisley, a lame-duck owner at the time whose pending sale of the team recently ruptured, responded by anointing the franchise forward "untouchable."

Well, guess what, Heisley's uncompromising stance has been rewritten on dust in the wind.

Sources throughout the NBA disclose the 7-foot Gasol, an elite post-up performer, as tough a cover as there is within 15 feet of the rim, suddenly is eminently obtainable. Distressed at management's rebuilding-with-adolescence mood, the 271/2-year-old has asked to be traded to a playoff-positioned ensemble that, of course, would be instantly transformed into a legit title contender.

The offended Grizzlies aim to oblige.

I put this out there with utter certainty. Infallible informers report Grizzlies president Jerry West has explored prospective trade arrangements with at least three teams regarding Gasol. In order to protect my sources, the only one I'm willing to identify for the time being is the Bulls.

That may be enough. Obviously, Gasol's low-dock dealing (averaged 18.5 points on 50.5 field-goal accuracy his first five seasons as a pro before missing most of this season due to foot surgery) is what Chicago's off-shore drilling outfit needs.

The Bulls also own what Memphis wants, namely Luol Deng ($2.6 million) and Ben Gordon ($3.86M). In order to satisfy salary/transaction specs, Chicago would have to include P.J. Brown ($8.56M). I'm told the Grizzlies are prepared to add Hakim Warrick ($1.2M) to a pot that so far does not include draft picks; Gasol currently is on the books for $12.8M and is owed $63M over the next four seasons.

That's as far as the exchange of ideas has progressed, so I'm told. As enthralled as Bulls vice president John Paxson surely must be by the opportunity to fill his team's lone conspicuous cavity, people in the organization claim he won't pull that particular trigger.

"Giving up Gordon and Deng would be very difficult," a Bulls insider insisted. "John will never go there. Not even if Scott Skiles and the rest of the coaching staff is beating on him to make that swap, which isn't the case."

As rapper DMX woofs, "Bad decisions lead to last decisions." Parting with the pair might prove to be just that bad, the same Bulls insider feels.

"Does Pau get you to the promised land minus both those players? We doubt it. He's an All-Star-caliber player, no question. But we're not sure he can be the best player on a playoff team expected to accomplish something significant," the insider said.

If the Bulls go strictly by what the Grizzlies failed to accomplish (0-12) in three straight playoff trips with Gasol as their leading scorer (20 ppg), I suppose that answers that. Rather than surrender both Gordon and Deng, I suspect Paxson prefers to roll the dice and hope inside force Tyrus Thomas matures faster than your average NBA toddler.

But don't misunderstand; this negotiation is only in its infancy. What's more, now that Gasol's availability is public, the bidding for his services figures to take a quantum leap.

I wouldn't like giving up both of them. Maybe Pax can work another angle.
Bucket, which of the two do you see as having more upside?

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We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

I see it that way too Nas. I think Gordon is what he is, without much room to change. He is an undersized streak shooter that will always be a liability on defense. I think Deng can grow into a hell of player.

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We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

If Memphis wants Deng & Gordon, you have to say thanks but no thanks. Pax wouldn't do that anyway. Actually, I doubt he'd give up either unless the target were Garnett, and even then he wouldn't give both.

I would offer Nocioni, PJ Brown, and the pick. If that (or something close to it) can't get it done, it probably won't happen. I'd love to have Gasol in Chicago, and I'm sure Pax would too, but I don't see him busting up the team to get it done.

Most of the NBA trades that are made now a days usually are lopsided in terms of talent for talent, so it's usually a good player for $$$ (cap room flexibility) and/or draft picks.

I really hope the Bulls don't make that particular trade, and on top of that, I would really look to move the #1 pick, and P.J. Brown - that's it.

NY has a lot of tough games ahead, but I think it's becoming unlikely that they will be a top 3 worst team - they could still win their division, but at best, it's looking a 5 or 6 pick, which should be a good bargaining chip in a good draft this year.

Brown givees them $$$ flexibility, plus a top pick (to go with their own)...I think that's more than fair.

Nas, I'm talking from the Bulls perspective more than Memphis. The reason I say Nocioni is because if you take on Gasol, then you likely can only resign Gordon & Deng. You'd probably lose Noce in free agency. Tyrus is on an inexpensive rookie deal for the next 4 years. If you're going to lose him regardless, makes more sense to me that you hold on to Tyrus and find something in return for Noce. Maybe that means a 3-team deal, with a third party that really wants Noce and happens to have a 2-guard that Memphis likes. Plus, Memphis would then have 2 lottery picks, which gives them a lot of rebuilding flexibility.

I dont know if I would give up Deng, but Gordon I might. Hes one of those players that I just dont see ever truly putting it all together.

One things for sure, they gotta do something. Personally Im all for letting Gordon go in a trade.

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"Mattress technology has come a long way"

- Dan Bernstein, 2016

He averaged 26 this last week. He's their leading scorer. At the beginning of the season, I would have been there with you; at this point, I'm not sure you want to give up Gordon.

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You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

I understand. I just dont think hes ever going to put it all together. At some point I see him being moved.

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"Mattress technology has come a long way"

- Dan Bernstein, 2016

I know that in the playoffs bench minutes tend to go down, but with the bulls tendency to get in foul trouble im afraid it might play a big role for this teams chances. This is my main concern if the deal for Gasol is made. As much as I like thabo's future he malik znd sweets cannot be counted on to have to make big time contributions.