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I can see Hamilton replaced by Belinelli and Fredette as a backup for the Bulls. But I don't know why the Bulls would take Thompson. Bulls have Deng, Boozer, Gibson and Butler as fowards...
I feel that with guys like Fredette and Biyambo being tossed around (both of which I'd love on POR) and CHI looking for useful players and SAC looking for expirings, there's SOMETHING that can be done here. something like: http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=bel69ou Add in CHA getting their 1st back from CHI CHI giving up Hamilton, Nazr and the 1st for Hickson CHA giving up Biyambo and Gerald Henderson for Hamilton and their 1st back. POR giving up Hickson (+?) for Jimmer and Biyambo (POR can't trade a 1st until 2018, but they have 3 seconds this year) SAC giving up Jimmer for Gerald Henderson and Nazr That feels light for CHI and SAC, but SAC for some reason wants Henderson (expiring?) and I don't know how much getting Rip's contract off your books means to CHI.
The Bulls may amnesty Boozer after the season. Then they'd need a 3rd big who can play PF/C. I actually like the Thompson/Fredette/Pick for Rip/Nazr/Pick deal, but it would be adding $2M in salaries to the Bulls, and I don't think they can (CAP). I certainly don't think the Chairman wants to.
In fact, trade machine says: Bulls get J Thompson, J Fredette Bobcats get R Hamilton Kings get Henderson, Mohammed FAILS The Bulls are over the luxury tax threshold with this trade and the incoming aggregate salaries exceeded what's allowed via the 125% plus $100,000 rule. Cut $171,054 from the Bulls incoming trade value to make this trade successful. The Bulls also used the Non Taxpayer (no kidding) MLE (on ugh Hinrich) so their owed tax cannot exceed $4M. This deal puts the Bulls $5.5M into the tax. Charlotte would also need to cut $250K from the incoming trade value to make the deal work for them.
Assuming the Bulls are willing to let go of the 1-5% chance that the CHA pick will turn into a jackpot, this is a pretty good trade. This team needs a backup C, the Bulls draft well after the lottery, and they have the flexibility to amnesty Boozer and still have a complete frontcourt when Mirotic comes over. Obviously it depends on what other future plans the Bulls have for the roster, but I could see this trade as being a good fit. It just depends on whether you're willing to trade the long-shot homerun for the double that'll bring a runner home right now.
If the Bulls are sure that they will amnesty Boozer then the trade is OK. They got a good look for Hickson and perhaps can resign him this summer.
I wrote about why they'll amnesty Boozer here: http://sportstwo.com/threads/225206-Musings-about-the-salary-situation?highlight=amnesty boozer
I agree Denny, I think the Bulls amnesty him. Too bad too. Carlos play this last month or so has been outstanding. Bulls want cap relief. Amnesty could come this summer. I like the trade idea myself. Not earth shattering, but decent. Thompson is clearly better than Nazr. Could help the team go further in the playoffs. Getting rid of Rip allows Bellinelli to play more. With Rose coming back, Hinrich could play some SG as well to allow Nate to play some back up point guard. Fredette is just insurance in case of a injury. Maybe even waived. We have Cook already. Some Bulls fans dont like the trade. They want to hold out for something better. Maybe not to even include the pick at all.
