Bulls will get a big man, but it might not be Pau

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/254546,CST-SPT-bull13.articleprint

Bulls will get a big man, but it might not be Pau
February 13, 2007
BY BRIAN HANLEY Staff Reporter

Paxson will be the first to tell you that adding an interior scorer would be ideal for the Bulls. In his next breath, Paxson would explain how he has to weigh both the short- and long-term risk/rewards when making a trade of any significance.

...
''Luol Deng was terrific and just continues to become a better player,'' Paxson said. ''I am very happy with the way he works at his game and the effort he plays with. He was asked to play a lot of minutes on this trip with Andres out, and he was very good.''

Gordon, meanwhile, pretty much epitomized the Bulls' trip with his up-and-down play.

Going by 20-point games, Gordon also was 3-4. And the Bulls' 20-14 record when he scores 20 or more indicates how important he is.

''Ben Gordon might have felt some of the effects of not making the All-Star team, but that's OK,'' said Paxson, echoing coach Scott Skiles' sentiments last week. ''He'll deal with it and become a better player because of that.

''He had his positive moments on the trip. We rely on him so much to take and make big shots that when it doesn't happen that way, or he goes a few games where his shot isn't falling, then it's tough for us to win.''

...

The guess here is the Bulls and Wallace will get such a player by the trade deadline.

Even if his name isn't Pau Gasol. [url]

So it sounds like Paxson don't make a trade with Deng or Gordon at least.

More to read at the full article.[/url]

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/beatwriters.asp?column=mcgraw&id=281595

Paxson does seem to have a major move on his mind. He could have easily acquired 6-10 Melvin Ely from Charlotte this week but chose to hang on to all of the Bulls’ expiring contracts.

Evidence seems to suggest there isn’t much chance of landing Gasol without giving up one of the Bulls’ three top scorers. Memphis could always just keep Gasol, after all.

But the Grizzlies are also in a competitive race for lottery balls, and this isn’t the year to miss out on Greg Oden, Kevin Durant or Joakim Noah.

The Bulls could offer two players from among Nocioni, Thomas, Duhon and Sefolosha, perhaps a pair of future first-rounders and maybe even take a bad contract, such as Brian Cardinal, off the Grizzlies’ hands. So there’s always a chance.