Bulls might do more after Miller, Salmons trade

I'm happy with this and the other trades the Bulls did, although I still would've rather had a risky trade in there.

Miller/Salmons trade - Bulls get the clear advantage in talent here, and come 2010 they also get the advantage financially. I HATE to see Nocioni go, but Salmons is an upgrade on him, and Miller is obviously against Drew Gooden, who barely has even played this season (so it seems). Miller's a guy who demands respect for his scoring ability, can rebound the ball, and is one of the best passing big men in the league right now. He doesn't put up huge defensive stats, but he's a good, tough defender. Salmons makes it even easier to let Gordon go. Salmons can do everything Gordon can do, but better. He's a much better defender and he shoots at higher percentages. He can also drive to the basket better. I'm thinking that within a few weeks he'll be starting at the 2.

Hughes trade - Any trade to get ANYTHING back for him is great. Even if they had gotten James and Allen, just splitting up that $12 million contract would have been an improvement. However, actually picking up a piece in Tim Thomas that we can actually use makes this trade all the better. Sure, he had his problems last time he was on the Bulls, but this time things are different. The biggest difference is that Skiles is gone, and in his place is a guy that Thomas has worked with and respects in Del Negro. Thomas won't be any sort of savior, but I can see him giving us 8-10 points off the bench, 4-6 boards, and him being someone who can spread the floor out and create matchup problems with the combination of his size and his style of play. It won't make any sort of huge difference, but it'll be a help.

Sefolosha trade - I hate to see Sefolosha go, but the bottom line is that he wasn't going to be getting his fair chance with the Bulls. It's just a sad fact of how things were. So, we shipped him off to somewhere where he possibly could get his fair chance, and we basically get another chance at getting someone to help us. It's likely going to be a pick in the 20's, but even at that point you have plenty of guys who are possible sleepers. While it's not likely to turn into much, there's a chance it could turn into a good player. Either way, a decent player will be enough to make this trade turn out to be a wash.

As a whole, I gotta say this was a solid couple of days for the Bulls. A win and some solid trades. I still wish Paxson would go out there and make that risky trade, one that could really catapult the team forward, but for a huge chunk of guys. Teams don't become real contenders without making some risky moves.