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...]

If there aren't any Gasol trades or what have you, Tyrus will be the starting power forward, do we all agree on that? With the current roster, he hasn't "earned" it yet but PJ is pretty old and we don't know if he will be back with us, Malik, or Sweets are as good as gone so Tyrus will have to take over that spot if we don't get another better big guy.

Tyrus will either suprise us all and get alot of double doubles, or he will look like what he did most of last year which is "lost". I think Paxson, I know for Thabo atleast, said he wants Skiles to play him more.