Tom McKean

Chicago/Utah Trade

I admit I have not spent a lot of time watching or reading about your team so don't kill me if you don't like this, but I have a feeling that Utah is a team in big trouble in the next few years. It seem like you need an infusion of young talent with athleticsm and upside growth.

I think the Jazz are a perfect match as a trading partner for the Bulls in a consolidation of talent strategy (a la the trade with Indiana last year (Artest, Mercer, Miller for Rose).

If this of interest, I'll let others figure out who else needs to be included to make this trade work from a cap perspective (Bulls would have to take a crappy player with a large contract (Amechi? Osterdog?)) but what about:

Jamal Crawford, Marcus Fizer and Eddie Robinson

for

Andrei Kirilenko

I know you guys love AK, but hear me out.

I have always been a fan of Fizer's and thought he had potential to be a (very) poor man's Karl Malone. In the right offense, as a starter, he could easily average 20 and 8. Not much of a defender, but he is still young enough and talented enough to be taught. Not an allstar, but a servicable starting power forward in the NBA with above average scoring ability and a solid post up game.

Jamal Crawford has unbelivable talent as a tall point guard, is still very young, but we have Williams and do not need him. Crawford needs to be in a position where he is THE MAN and with both Stockton and Jackson retirng and Lopez coming off an injury, I would submit that he would get as many minutes as he could handle in your back court. Plus he is A LOT closer to home (Seattle) which would make him a lot happier.

Eddie Robinson would give the team some much needed athleticism -- something the team needs in a post Stockton-Malone pick and roll era. He can't carry AK's strap, but he is a nice wing man, albiet overpaid and his current production. He is literally one of the greatest atheletes in the NBA right now and could actually turn into a basketball player.

You know what Kirlenko gives the Bulls - a very good young 6-9 small forward who I believe is fundamentally sound on offense and defense. He also doesn't need the ball and would fit in well with the other pieces that Krause has assembled.

Curry
Chandler
Kirilenko
Rose
Williams

Bench

Marshall
Hassell
Mason
Baxter
The Mayor
Dalibor
Blount

Post Malone and Stockton Utah Jazz

Collins/Borchard
Fizer/Pagett
Robinson/Harpring
Stevenson/Cheaney
Crawford/Lopez

Not a great team, but a servicably young and athletic talent to begin the rebuilding process with.

What do you think? Let me stress that clearly AK is the best player in the deal. However, I believe the value of the trade is relatively even.

JoeF

Horrible trade for the Jazz. The Jazz have 30 million in salary coming off after this season and another 8-9 the following year. They have cap room to be a major player in the best free agent market in years. They aren't going to take on long term contracts unless they are superstars of the caliber available in the off season so Eddie Robinson is definitely out. They trade a future star for a probable role player and several players with "potential" who have shown nothing yet. If you want John Amaechi or Greg Ostertag and would send a couple of shorter contracts and/or players with potential then the Jazz would be interested.
Most people see AK as a future star and the future of the franchise. Which of the three you mentioned have that kind potential? Show some proof! Kirilenko has produced on the court in the NBA as well as in the Euro leagues. If he would have waited until the 01 draft instead of the 99 draft he would have been a high to mid lottery selection. To get AK I think you would have to give up Williams, Chandler or Curry.

Lopez has as much or more potential as Crawford and has shown the potential on the court in the Euro leagues. We also have Arroyo who is learning the offense and shows some potential. Crawford has yet to show jack squat. Pretty soon Crawford has to show that potential translates to the court or he is a bust.

Fizer stats are about the same as Kirilenko but Kirilenko gets more steals, more blocks, is better defender and is more versatile, is 3 years younger and has more potential.

Eddie Robinson is overpaid, has shown little on the court, is injury prone and is untradeable unless you are willing to take a equal or worse contact in return. We have no one with a contact for that much money and that many years. He needs to stay healthy and produce before he is tradeable.

BEEZ

Too many players still for an unproven in Kirilenko. I dont think it fits under the cap either

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I have no clue!

BigMike

He's proven enough for the Jazz and their fans.


I hate that trade as a Jazz fan. AK47 is my favorite NBA player. He ain't wearin no BULLS uni.

BEEZ

Yes UNPROVEN. What has he done to say this guy is a stud or this guy is a star?????

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I have no clue!