NBA Trade Rumors: Breaking Down Ways the Chicago Bulls Can Land Pau Gasol
The Chicago Bulls want Lakers forward Pau Gasol, according to the latest rumors. There are many different ways Chicago can try to acquire the power forward, so let's break each of them down.
The simplest route is to try and convince the Lakers to take forward Carlos Boozer in exchange. Los Angeles does not appear to be interested in Boozer, particularly not for Pau Gasol. So, trying to create something of an even split there is not likely to work. The Bulls will have to sweeten the deal.
Next, the Bulls can try to sweeten the deal by adding several talented players and draft picks to sweeten the deal. Taj Gibson looks like the easiest addition to make a deal palatable for the Lakers, but he is not likely to be enough (even though he would pair up well defensively next to Bynum) so Chicago may also have to offer several future draft picks.
If that still is not enough to facilitate a two-team deal, the Bulls have two other compelling assets: the rights to European forward Nikola Mirotic and the rights to Charlotte's future draft pick from the Tyrus Thomas trade.
The Bulls drafted Mirotic last year and he is still a couple years from the NBA, but reports from overseas suggest he is a big time, mature talent. When he arrives, he will be a big-time hybrid long forward with the upside of a Pau Gasol. Chicago could also offer the Thomas pick, which will likely be a lottery selection right when the Lakers begin rebuilding in 2014 or 2015.
So, the Bulls alone could offer Carlos Boozer (who the Lakers could use as a poor man's Gasol or amnesty), Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler, their own 2012 pick (and possibly 2014 pick), Mirotic's rights and the Charlotte pick. Considering Gasol's age and the Lakers' needs, that is a very fair deal.
If its' not enough, the Bulls can always look at three team deals. Minnesota, Houston and other franchises could help facilitate it for cash, draft picks or some of the Bull's assets. But, from this vantage point, it looks like Chicago has enough to get a deal done without crippling their franchise.
