BULLS/RAPTORS trade scenarios

[mojorizen7]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_a...chicago_and_toronto_potential_trade_partners/

Should the Bulls decide that Michael Beasley is the best choice for No. 1 pick of the draft, there are a couple of issues that need to be addressed inside the boardroom:
• The first is whether the team still needs an upgrade at point guard. That was considered a priority when the season ended and the Bulls appeared destined for the No. 9 pick.
• The second is what happens to Drew Gooden and Tyrus Thomas when Beasley steps on board as the Bulls' new power forward.
Beasley has been described by Bulls general manager John Paxson as an "effortless scorer." The 6-foot-9 Baltimore native posted better numbers during his freshman season at Kansas State (26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds) than Kevin Durant did for Texas the previous year.
"I think Beasley's really multidimensional," Paxson said. "He can play both inside-out. He's got terrific hands and just an innate ability to score the ball. Those guys are obviously very valued in our league."
Beasley can score in the post, handle the ball and even toss in a 3-point basket once in awhile. So how will he do in the NBA?
One scout projected him as an "elbow player," someone who typically starts at the corner of the foul line and then can either drop in a jumper or drive to the hoop. The NBA's best elbow player is Dirk Nowitzki, who has the height to shoot over the top of most any defender and also can drift back to the 3-point line.
Two other elbow all-stars are Utah's Carlos Boozer and New Orleans' David West, who both play with one of the league's elite point guards.
So it seems logical to assume that adding a more natural point guard to the Bulls' lineup would help Beasley's development. Trading for a good one wouldn't be easy.
Golden State's Baron Davis is a potential trade candidate, and he can carry a team when healthy. But Davis, 29, isn't always healthy. He played in all 82 games last season but missed at least 15 the previous five years.
Plus, Davis makes $17.1 million next season, then can become an unrestricted free agent. The risk is he will either leave town or revisit his injury issues.
Toronto figures to move either Jose Calderon or, more likely, T.J. Ford this summer. It probably would take Kirk Hinrich or Ben Gordon to pry Calderon away from the Raptors and even then the salaries may not match without the Bulls taking an extra player.
The Bulls might be able to get Ford in exchange for Andres Nocioni, who would seem to fit well on Toronto's roster. Gooden for Ford also could work, though that would mean the Bulls taking on roughly $18 million in salary commitments since Gooden is in the final year of his contract while Ford has three seasons left.
Ford has played very well when healthy, but he missed the entire 2004-05 season with a neck injury, then skipped another 31 games last year after taking a hard fall caused by a flagrant foul from Atlanta's Al Horford.
The other obvious option is Memphis guard Kyle Lowry, who often outplayed rookie Mike Conley last season. Lowry certainly is expendable, but he makes just $1.2 million next season, which makes it tough to match salaries unless a package of players are traded.
Would the Grizzlies be interested in either Gordon or Hinrich, plus Thomas, for Lowry, Mike Miller and Hakim Warrick? Tough to say, and Gordon has to agree to any trade since he's a restricted free agent.
Another path is to simply stick with the current lineup. If Beasley becomes a dangerous scorer in the NBA, a nice scenario would be to surround him with spot-up shooters such as Gordon, Hinrich and Luol Deng.
Thinking up new destinations for Gooden or Thomas is difficult because the Bulls' backcourt already is crowded, then they have Deng and Nocioni at small forward. The best trade scenario would bring the Bulls another center in return, and those are not easily acquired.
One thing that doesn't appear likely is trading the top pick, unless Miami decided to dangle Dwyane Wade or something similarly extreme.
"I'm not going to be picking up the phone for a while," Paxson said. "If people have ideas, then I'm sure they'll share them. In this position, it's got to be pretty darn good to consider."