Wolves-Bulls Magic (not the Orlando kind)

The Bulls did not get the lottery pick they need to be a regular contender and the time to deal is now. The rumor mill says Pau Gasol is the target, but the better fit is with the Wolves for Garnet.

Now why would the Wolves give up Garnet? Well, let's look at their lineup next year:

C: Mark Blount
PF: Kevin Garnet
SF: Brandon Wright (according to ESPN mock draft)/Ricki Davis
SG: Randy Foye/Rashad McCants
PG: Mike James

This team is intriguing since it could go big by benching Ricki Davis and playing the 6-10 Wright or could go small by benching Blount. The only problem is that Foye and McCants still need lots of seasoning, Ricki still takes days off, Blount is inconsistent, and Wright is 19 and skinny. I like the young guys, but they won't get you past the 1st round of the playoffs should they luck into them. By the time the young guns arrive KG will be well past his prime (34).

KG on the roster ensures mediocrity and crappy draft picks. Both the Wolves and KG deserve better. Thus the trade to the Bulls...

Here's the trade and it will be rough on Chicago but ensure Eastern Conference Finals.

Wolves give up KG and the Bulls give up:
SG Ben Gordon
F Tyrus Thomas
2007 #9 draft pick
Sign and trade PJ Brown to one year $9.8M contract to make the money work (or any other player willing to sign for one year, but Brown kind of makes sense for one year Wolves, so I'll go with that).

Whew, that's alot for the Bulls to give up. It means moving Noccione, Duhon, or Thabo off the bench and into the 2 spot, but also means a starting lineup of:

C - Ben Wallace
PF - Kevin Garnett
SF - Luol Deng
SG - Chris Duhon
PG - Kirk Hinrich

Thabo and Noccione are still on the bench for decent depth. That is a scary lineup with scoring, defense, selfless play, experience, and energy.

Now look at the Wolves - I would still have them take Brandon Wright (or Julian Wright from KU or Al Horford from Florida - one or more will be there at 7) and according to ESPN 7-2 Georgetown Center Roy Hibbert is available at 9.

C - Roy Hibbert
PF - Tyrus Thomas
SM - Brandon Wright
SG - Ben Gordon
PG - Randy Foye

Bench:
C - Blount
F - Ricki Davis
G - Rashad McCants
G - Mike James

Next season, Davis has one year and $6.5M remaining - trade bait! Mike James with 2 years at $5M is also quite tradeable and should be. This will remove any silly ideas by the coach that he must play veterans to 'win now, " Hell No! Lose now, get another great pick next year, develop the young talent, and hope a superstar or two emerges to support Gordon, and that McCants and future draft picks become excellent bench players so that the Wolves can contend with Portland by 2010.

This is the only hope...