Pau Gasol/Nick Collison, Bulls Expected To Open Up Trade Talks Options

[Chisoxfn]

According to a league source, Bulls talks with the Memphis Grizzlies about power forward-center Pau Gasol are expected to reopen in the near future.

Prior to the February trade deadline, the two sides had serious discussions about a Gasol trade but couldn't agree on the terms.

The Bulls were believed to have offered a package that included Gordon, forward P.J. Brown and a first-round draft pick. But the Grizzlies insisted that Deng be part of the deal, a price the front office considered to be exorbitant.

Since then, Jerry West has stepped down as Grizzlies operations chief. Earlier this week, his successor, Chris Wallace, suggested he would listen to any and all trade proposals this summer.

"I don't think anybody is untouchable on any team," Wallace was quoted to have said. "Shaquille O'Neal was traded. Wilt Chamberlain was traded. If the right deal comes your way, anybody in this league can be traded. But at the same time, Marc (Iavaroni, head coach) and I aren't out there actively trying to move these players."

The Bulls also could renew discussions with the Seattle SuperSonics in regard to forward Nick Collison, about whom they inquired recently.

The addition of Collison would help appease guard Hinrich, who remains the only player on the roster close to untouchable status despite his subpar postseason performance. Collison and Hinrich are close friends and one-time Kansas roommates.

On Thursday, the SuperSonics acquired forward Jeff Green in a deal that sent Ray Allen to Boston, a move that would appear to make Collison expendable at this time.

"You always have a lot of conversations, but nothing really came of it at the very end," Paxson said of trade talks in recent days. "We'll still try to improve our basketball team. We now that we need a low-post scorer in some capacity. Those are the things that we'll address as we go forward. It's a piece-by-piece process."

This is a snippet out of the Daily Southtown. I think the Bulls would consider offering Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni, a future #1 and Chris Duhon for Paul Gasol. The only major question is would Memphis be willing to take that type of salary without getting a cheap young player in return (however Gordon and Noc are both relatively young as is Duhon).

Or would Gordon (or Noc), Noah or Thomas, PJ Brown (resigned and traded for salary purposes) and Chris Duhon work.

In terms of Nick Collison, it would clearly take a lesser package and I would have no problem doing so as Collison is a pretty darn solid 4 who still has some potential and would be a good fit that wouldn't cost any of the main core.

[Chicago Bulls Fr...]

In the future, Pau is just beginning to reach his prime. Tyrus won't be starting until Pau is gone unless he plays center.

[SoxFan1]

In the future, Pau is just beginning to reach his prime. Tyrus won't be starting until Pau is gone unless he plays center.

Hmm, tough freaking choice, and tough like to Tyrus.

Gasol + Wallace > Tyrus + Wallace

Either way, Gasol can play center. If Joakim Noah can play center, and Jeff Green can play PF, then Gasol can sure as hell do it too.

[Chicago Bulls Fr...]

Hmm, tough freaking choice, and tough like to Tyrus.

Gasol + Wallace > Tyrus + Wallace

Either way, Gasol can play center. If Joakim Noah can play center, and Jeff Green can play PF, then Gasol can sure as hell do it too.

I don't doubt you, like you said, Gasol and Wallace is better than Tyrus and Wallace but if Pax's plan is to develop Tyrus to his fullest potential, he wouldn't be doing that with Pau in front of him.

[SoxFan1]

I don't doubt you, like you said, Gasol and Wallace is better than Tyrus and Wallace but if Pax's plan is to develop Tyrus to his fullest potential, he wouldn't be doing that with Pau in front of him.

Tyrus will not reach his fullest potential for at least 2 or 3 more years. How does having him learn from Pau and Ben make that any worse? It's absolutely win-win. Pau and Wallace give us one of the best front court duo's in the NBA and automatic favorites in the East. Tyrus waits in the wings for 2-3 years, learning and working along the way, until Wallace leaves/retires. Tyrus fills in at PF, Pau to center, and you still have a very good frontcourt.

The Chicago Bulls are not Tyrus Thomas and Tyrus Thomas is not the Chicago Bulls. Get that through our head. He has done nothing to warrant any really high praise and he has done nothing to inherit and step right into a starting role. He is still very very raw. Little offensive game, tends to be out of control, and makes silly mistakes. He has a long, LONG way to go.

[eddog2]

Tyrus will not reach his fullest potential for at least 2 or 3 more years. How does having him learn from Pau and Ben make that any worse? It's absolutely win-win. Pau and Wallace give us one of the best front court duo's in the NBA and automatic favorites in the East. Tyrus waits in the wings for 2-3 years, learning and working along the way, until Wallace leaves/retires. Tyrus fills in at PF, Pau to center, and you still have a very good frontcourt.

The Chicago Bulls are not Tyrus Thomas and Tyrus Thomas is not the Chicago Bulls. Get that through our head. He has done nothing to warrant any really high praise and he has done nothing to inherit and step right into a starting role. He is still very very raw. Little offensive game, tends to be out of control, and makes silly mistakes. He has a long, LONG way to go.

I agree with you finally. He has done nothing to warrant a starting position or to warrant high praise. However, he does deserve at least 20 mpg. That's why I have him as the primary backup to Gasol & Deng at PF & SF. He has to get minutes in the next couple of years to learn how to play the game. I fully agree that he's not ready to start. Having Gasol like you said allows him to grow as a player and at some point in the future you can possibly move Gasol to center and make TT the starting PF if he improves his game significantly. Or you can always trade Gasol in the future to save money and make a spot for Tyrus if Noah solidifies the starting center spot for the next 10 years (by adding 30 pounds to his frame).