the Suns would never in a million years do either of those trades. Duhon is the eighth man in a 9 man rotation, Noce isn't a starter, or he's the fourth scoring option on a good team, and PJ is goign to retire. If Phoenix did either of those trades, while i would be estatic, that would revial some of the stuff isiah and billy king and kevin mchale have done. We're both huge Bulls fans, but you gotta look realistically at these things. Randolph would never be an option either, all that jab stepping, ball hogging stuff would never be welcome in Chicago.

But you may have soemthing in Rashard Lewis. I like that alot. Durant is basically Rashard Lewis version 3.0, but Lewis is still real good. He'd be solid in a Bulls uni.

Dude, Phoenix has to cut salary or face the dreaded 'luxury tax'. With new ownership on its way, they won't want to do that, especially since they haven't even made the Finals with the team they have. They'll be looking to cut salary and take on younger players. Duhon will take the backup PG role that Banks flunked out from, Noc will become the energy player off the bench to bring them more depth and the 9th pick is going to bring them an athletic player to run the floor and fill their rotation for the future. They were running a 7 man rotation out there nearly all season and it just wore them down. We'll see what happens, it's early in the offseason, there are a million options at this point for everyone.

As for Randolph, we all know the Bulls need a low post scorer. The fans are calling for it, the players are calling for it, the coaches are calling for it and the front office is calling for it. When I read that Ty Thomas' job this Summer is to work on his 15 ft. jumper, I know he's not going to be the man to get that done. While Lu may get some low post moves, it's hard to fathom him becoming a force on the block because he has very few moves now. They've talked about Randolph before and they will again. Skiles formed his offense to the players he has on the Bulls and if he's given different players, the offense will shift a bit. Go back and read the Bulls exit interview piece on the Trib and tell me they aren't screaming for someone who can score in the post. I'm sure Paxson will exhaust every option possible. These were just a few of them.

Rickhouse is right - the Suns ain't doing those deals, not ever. They don't have to cut salary; they want to. Big difference. They aren't going to cut their salary just so they can get the 9th pick and some scrubs.

Especially not for Amare... that's waaaay crazy. Maybe Marion if he bitches and wants out, but even then they can get a way better deal than Nocioni and Duhon (two scrubs) and the 9th pick.

They already have a backup PG in Phoenix - Barbosa. He does a good job, too.

The only possible trade you mentioned is, in fact, the Randolph trade. Which kinda makes sense, but... the Bulls won't go for a lazy character-issue guy, right? And the Trail Blazers might want to see what a front court of Oden, Randolph, and Aldridge, along with Roy and Jack and Rodriguez, can do first before making trades. In fact, the one thing that having the #1 pick means is that the Trail Blazers just became the team least likeliest to trade for the next 12 months.

Not sure who else is left for ya'll? Maybe Jermaine O'Neal, if you give up Ty Thomas and take some salary cap damage back; maybe Gasol. That's about it. The most likely scenerio is, in fact, Hibbert.

Agree with SML.

Luxery tax, schuxery tax. The Suns have a great team, and nash is already 32, they gotta pay the piper if they're gonna be good. I'd LOVE those two trades, but i really doubt that they're gonna happen. I cant wait to see what Sam Smith draws up in the Trib tommarow, it should be exciting.

And i read the same Pax qoute as you did Cobra, about Tyrus having to develop the 15 footer. While it's a little disconcerning, i certainly dont think that means he wont focus on his back to the basket game.

Thanks for the input guys. It's a long offseason and a lot of things happen. We'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for playing along. The Suns do have to cut salary to stay out of the luxury tax range. Maybe they'll be able to dump Diaw off on someone. They aren't good enough to 'pay the piper'. They just aren't. They've had Nash at the top of his game the last three years and couldn't get it done, what's to say they can get it done next season? They need more depth. Nevertheless, there are a lot of options out there. You guys come over here like a pack of hungry wolves, so go grab something to eat and relax, we have a long way to go.

We all know how useless mock drafts can be from time to time, but I've seen a couple that have the Bulls selecting Spencer Hawes. I have no clue who he is and never seen him play but apparently he has some offensive moves and would be more of an imediate impact. I would think the Bulls would be less concerned with the defensive side of things since they have Wallace. Hibbert would bring more of a defensive presence than offensive for a couple years. Also read that Hibbert still isn't sure if he is staying in the draft.

I think the trade that sends Marion to the Bulls works. Reason 1) Nocioni is a younger, tougher version of Boris Diaw and his contract is expired next season, making him prime trade bait. 2) Having a backup guard like Duhon moves Barbosa over to the two guard where he is better. Nash and Bell starting, Duhon and Barbosa backing up. 3) Marion leaving gives the Suns plenty of money to re-sign Barbosa, which is their main objective right now. 4) The 9th pick gives them a ton of flexibility in who they could choose and it would give them three first round picks to build their franchise depth with.

P.S. Roy Hibbert is going back to Georgetown, so he won't be a possibility of being drafted this year!

I like your option list for the Bulls. I for one think it would be cool if they sent the pick to Portland for Randolph and Conley and Oden were together again. I bet Oden would lobby for that as well. Imagine
Oden, Roy, Aldridge, Conley, and Jack all together. That is a solid
nucleus for years to come. Craziness. Sucks for Boston. I bet Danny
is cringing at having to pay that fine for sitting with Durant's mom at
the Big 12 Championship now.

Wow, I'm really surprised Hibbert is going back to school. Although, I guess if he has another injury free, productive season he could be picked #1 next season? I'd prefer to never have to mention the name Spencer Hawes after this post, if possible.

From Sam Smith today:

The selection almost certainly means the Trailblazers will trade often-troubled but talented post player Zach Randolph, probably for very little, to focus on the development of Oden and Aldridge.

Keep in mind that Smith proposes about every trade imaginable to man at some point.

Any confirmation on Hibbert going back to Georgetown? I haven't seen that anywhere.

Hibbert has declare eligible for the draft, but has, in fact, not hired an agent yet. Him and Jeff Green are "hedging their bets". In fact, the money quote from Hibbert: "Do I want to go 8-14 this year, or top 3 next year?" He is 50/50 in his own words (Jeff Green is 70% to go back to GU, and you bet they will both make the same decision):

http://www.leavethemanalone.com/2007/04/hope-springs-eternal.html

One thing to note: If they don't make their intentions clear, and get drafted, they will go to the NBA. Because the NBA will not let them go back to school if they don't like being picked 13th or whatever. Believe me, Stern will not tolerate that, and he will twist their arms....

ESPN had an article saying they would both declare their intentions today. Let me see if I can find it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2879914

Title says, "Report: Hibbert Returning to Hoyas for Senior Year"

Won't know for sure until he officially pulls himself out though. College kids tend to change their minds.

I can't find anything else on Green not coming out. I hope they both stay in the draft, otherwise the Sixers are going to wind up taking Acie Law.

I heard yesterday on PTI about a possible 3 way trade with Stoudemire - Garnett - and Chicago (You can pick whoeever.) The Suns would get Garnett and Chicago would get Stoudemire. I know Garnett is way older, but where would Mike Wilbon get this from? (Yes I know he is a Chicago guy.) Any real options to get Stoudemire?

I don't believe Marion would help with low post scoring. He hits that midrange jumper similarly to Deng. I also don't like Randolph.

I want to see Garnett, Stoudemire, or J O'neal in a Bulls Uni.

I'm personally hoping for garnett to somehow wind up a bull. Trade Gordan, Noc, Duhon, PJ. I really hope they don't lose tyrus this summer, and I don't thing PJ will retire just yet. Somehow PJ will wind up with a team in the same conference as Dirk just to play defense on him. If they want to draft someone why not trade down a bit and pick up the kid from Wisconsin who plays down low(his name escapes me at the moment).

The problem with trading Gordon is that it leaves you with Hinrich chucking up 3's by himself. Lu seems pretty content, and very good, at staying inside the line and slashing to the bucket. I have no idea who the kid from Wisconsin is? Alando Tucker? He's a guard.

Gordan can chuck threes but can't guard anyone. Hmmm i thought there guy who won big 10 p.o.y. was a post player....well I'll just stop my ramblings now!

Tucker was that guy for Wisconsin. He may have played G/F and posted up some guards but I doubt he'd be able to in the NBA. I haven't seen him in the first round of most mock drafts.

OK ike all your Bulls trade senerios. But none will happen. They will draft either a:Spencer Hawes or Joakim Noah or B: Nick Young or Derrick Byars. Gordon got a sweet shot but he has trouble with penetration. (Sounds kinda Personel) I would like option B: and I trade for Joel Prizbilla) Roy Hibbert was there best rookie prospect but he wants to be a Knick so Bad he ran back to G-Town.

I can't see the Suns doing any of that either. And I don't think Skiles would like Marion's attitude anyways. The Bulls will probably end up with Spencer Hawes, which means the Ben Wallace signing was a waste.

I think Tucker would be a better pick cause he can play with his back to yhe bucket very well, something Gordan can't do at all.