ESPN is reporting that the Sonics will trade the No. 4 pick in the draft to the Clippers in exchange for L.A.'s No. 7 pick and a protected 2009 first-round pick if things go as expected in the Top 3 picks of the draft.

Ric Bucher is reporting that the Clippers want to assure themselves of getting Eric Gordon with the fourth pick. However, this deal will not go through if the Timberwolves pass on O.J. Mayo and he's available at No. 4

ESPN is reporting and Bucks officials have confirmed that the Nets have traded forward Richard Jefferson to the Bucks in exchange for swingman Bobby Simmons and forward Yi Jianlian, pending physicals.

Wow. Yi gets his big market, while the Bucks get a solid player that can help them right now. The move should also free up plenty of cap room for the Nets to be a major free agent player in 2010, when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will be taking bids. And if Simmons can actually get healthy, he will come as a bonus. This trade is awaiting league approval, and also allows the Bucks to keep the No. 8 pick to use on Joe Alexander.

Beasley’s production from the post will make the Bulls a more threatening playoff team than Rose would as a point guard. Even in the era of no perimeter hand checks, a big man’s ability to control a game through high-percentage scoring opportunities and rebounding is invaluable. Teams with great post players also derive other scoring opportunities off the big man’s offensive tools. Sharpshooters around the perimeter give a big man outstanding passing options when confronted with double teams, and keen-eyed big men who set up higher in the post always have the option to drop off passes for teammates cutting through the lane or backdoor along the baseline.

A versatile big man such as Beasley, who can knock down 18-footers in his sleep, can create outstanding spacing on the floor, a key to any half-court offense. The prevailing thought every NBA playoff season is that the game slows down and proper half-court offensive execution is essential to advancing through the rounds. The reason it’s a prevailing thought is because it’s the truth. The Celtics, Spurs, Pistons and Lakers have won titles since the MJ Era by successfully executing this thought process, Dwayne Wade, the refs from the ‘06 Finals and the Heat notwithstanding. If the Bulls want to become a playoff contending team with long-term title aspirations, then they will choose the big man (Beasley) over the little man (Rose) tonight.

Marc Stein of espn.com says the Bulls' hiring of Mike D'Antoni is imminent, but a Bulls source tells Sun-Times reporter Brian Hanley that no contract has been offered - yet. And the "Silvy and Waddle" show had a Phoenix reporter saying D'Antoni is closer to signing with the Knicks because of money problems with the Bulls.

And it may not come in the next few days.

The Bulls still are likely to interview Avery Johnson.

D'Antoni would be an interesting fit with the Bulls. Reportedly, he chafed in Phoenix because he thought general manager Steve Kerr micro-managed. How will he get along with John Paxson. I don't think Pax micro-manages, so they might get along fine.

But D'Antoni does have that reputation of emphasizing offense over defense, and I'm not sure Pax will appreciate that.