Stoudemire rumors

BULLS: Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha, Cedric Simmons and Drew Gooden

• See this trade in the ESPN Trade Machine

Why they'd do it: For the Bulls, this is likely a no-brainer. They've needed a frontcourt presence like Amare for years. Although he's not the classic low-post banger or rebounder that would be ideal for Chicago, he's great in the open floor and looks like a perfect complement to Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.

For the Suns, this trade would save them nearly $9 million next season and give them two young players with potential. Although neither Thomas nor Sefolosha has shined the way the Bulls had envisoned when they drafted them, their defensive abilities and athleticism would be welcome in Phoenix.

Why they wouldn't: Coach Vinny Del Negro spent several years in the Phoenix front office before taking the job in Chicago. He knows Amare and might be steering GM John Paxson away from acquiring him.

This deal wouldn't give the Suns much in the way of cap savings. They might want to deal with a team that can save them more money down the road.

Any Bulls offer figures to be centered around Tyrus Thomas, along with the expiring contracts of Drew Gooden and Cedric Simmons, which total about $8.8 million. Whether the Bulls would add Thabo Sefolosha, Andres Nocioni, Joakim Noah or draft picks to the mix is negotiable.
Thomas just produced the best six-game stretch of his pro career, averaging 15.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2 blocks. He actually scored 15 points in the last eight minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime in Saturday's 115-114 loss at Dallas.

Maybe this is a good time to trade Thomas, because his value is rising. Or maybe it's a sign the Bulls should keep him, now that the improvement is beginning to flow.

riv' wrote:After Garnett, Gasol and Kobe last years, I hope Amare is not just a rumor...

Who would the Bulls offer for Stoudemire?

Their offer would be centered around Tyrus Thomas, along with the expiring contracts of Drew Gooden and Cedric Simmons. Whether the Bulls sweeten the deal by throwing in Thabo Sefolosha, Andres Nocioni, Joakim Noah or draft picks is negotiable.

Don't expect Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich or Ben Gordon to be included in any trade. Derrick Rose is obviously off-limits. Gordon, working on a one-year deal, can't be traded without his permission and the Bulls are still nervous about moving Hinrich when Gordon's future is out of their hands.

Since Deng is in the first year of a larger contract, he could only be traded in a multiplayer deal, such as Deng, Hinrich, Thomas and Simmons for Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa. Any takers out there?

What's the downside to getting Stoudemire? [...]

Is Stoudemire worth acquiring? [...]

What other teams are in pursuit?

Besides the Bulls, the main suitors are believed to be Miami, Detroit, New Jersey and possibly Portland. In theory, Miami could offer Shawn Marion's expiring contract and rookie Michael Beasley. That's sounds like a better offer than anything the Bulls could pull together - if the Heat is willing to do it.

Detroit might dangle Rasheed Wallace and younger players, such as Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell. Portland has a variety of pieces available for trade and a huge expiring contract (Raef LaFrentz). It seems unlikely the Blazers would offer LaMarcus Aldridge, though.

Any New Jersey bid would likely be centered on Yi Jianlian, while the Nets' only sizable expiring contract is Stromile Swift ($6.2 million).