Report: Boozer to Bulls Discussed, But Rudy Fernandez is Key to Trade

ESPN.com has confirmed via numerous sources that "substantive" talks between the Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, and Utah Jazz to pull off a blockbuster trade that would involve Carlos Boozer, Kirk Hinrich, and Tyrus Thomas. 

The biggest question coming from this trade rumor is, "What the heck are the Blazers giving up?"

And who will they be "giving" to?  Let the speculation begin.

As it stands right now, the proposed trade would be as follows:

Bulls get:

• PF Carlos Boozer

Jazz get:

• PF Tyrus Thomas

Blazers get:

• PG Kirk Hinrich

It has long been rumored that the Blazers are interested in the Bulls' point guard, but any such move by Chicago would leave a gaping hole in the backcourt, even though the team recently agreed to a one year, $2 million deal with point guard Jannero Pargo.

The Bulls already lost Ben Gordon to the Detroit Pistons, and while that loss is not catastrophic, Chicago still needs to replace his scoring at the shooting guard position.

Obviously, the proposed trade has flaws.  Not only are the Blazers giving up absolutely nothing, but the Bulls and Jazz are not getting adequate return.

To make this trade a win-for-all, here is a proposal:

Bulls get:

• PF Carlos Boozer
• SG Rudy Fernandez

Jazz get:

• Tyrus Thomas
• Steve Blake
• Jerome James

Blazers get:

• Kirk Hinrich
• Jazz second round pick

This trade makes sense on multiple levels for all parties involved, but I am here to give analysis for the Chicago Bulls, so here it is.

In Boozer, the Bulls acquire an almost guaranteed double-double every night.  Over his career, he has averaged roughly 16 points and 10 rebounds per night, and the Bulls have lacked an inside presence for a very long time.  Boozer is an absolute bear down low, and would be a stellar addition to the Bulls' frontcourt.

In Rudy Fernandez, the Bulls get another expiring contract for next offseason, and in the meantime a heck of a shooting guard.

The 24 year old guard shot 40 percent from beyond the arc last season, and is one of the more versatile players you have never heard of.  He participated in the 2009 dunk contest, and would provide the Bulls with an excellent option off the bench.

By trading away Hinrich, the Bulls get rid of one of their biggest cap numbers over the next three years, and open up even more space to potentially sign Dwayne Wade in 2009.

The Bulls also trade away the expiring contract of Tyrus Thomas, who has really struggled to live up to the hype of being a top five pick in the NBA draft.

Jerome James is just a throw in, and his name could be replaced by Tim Thomas as well.

If Bulls general manager Gar Foreman can pull this deal off, he wil set this team up for success in both the present and future.  It is a move that makes great sense for Chicago.

Derrick Rose will be a very happy man.

Here is a look at a projected 2009-10 lineup for the Bulls if this trade proposal is agreed upon:

Point Guard:

• Derrick Rose (starter)
• Jannero Pargo

Shooting Guard:

• John Salmons (starter)
  
• Rudy Fernandez

Small Forward:

• Luol Deng (starter)
• John Salmons
• James Johnson

Power Forward:

• Carlos Boozer (starter)
• James Johnson
• Taj Gibson

Center:

• Joakim Noah (starter)
• Brad Miller
• Aaron Gray

With this lineup, the Bulls appear to be poised to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference playoffs, possibly even contend for a spot in the Conference Finals.