Bulls close to trading Hughes to Nets

The Bulls might be close to trading veteran guard Larry Hughes to the New Jersey Nets for former DePaul forward Bobby Simmons.

A league source confirmed a report in the Bergen (N.J.) Record that the teams have had serious trade talks. It’s up to the Nets to sign off, and the deal will get done.

The 6-6, 230-pound Simmons has started 37 of the 38 games he has played this season, averaging 7.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 26.5 minutes. His contract runs through next season and pays him $9.9 million this season and $10.56 million in 2009-10.

The Bulls might need to close the deal quickly because forward Drew Gooden, who has been dealing with an ankle sprain that kept him out of 10 games, was not available Tuesday for the second straight game because of a groin injury.

The Bulls also might get former Michigan State guard Maurice Ager in the trade to help come close to the money owed Hughes, per NBA rules. Ager’s $1 million contract expires at the end of this season.

Reports out of New Jersey have stated a trade that would send Larry Hughes to New Jersey for Bobby Simmons and Maurice Ager is close to being done. This rumor is very true as talks between the teams have really heated up in the last 48 hours. In fact, General Manager John Paxson has already agreed on the trade, the only hold up is a Nets approval of the deal.

A league source suggested this deal was discussed weeks ago and both teams already decided it didn't make sense. This particular deal would add roughly $5 million to the Nets' payroll over the next two seasons.