10 Jan 11 2010 and Beyond: Evaluating the Chicago Bulls Trade Deadline Moves

Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesKudos to the Chicago Bulls.As a Bulls fan, I haven't recently been able to say that too often. However, today, I clap for the Chicago Bulls' effort.At the potential risk of hurting playoff chances this year, the Chicago Bulls successfully dealt SG/SF John Salmons and perennial underachiever SF/PF Tyrus Thomas inseparatedeals.The players they received in turn are entirely irrelevant (I will go into more detail later in the article), as general manager Gar Forman and the Bulls achieved what should have been their one and only goal. Cap space in 2010. In acquiring Acie Law, Ronald "Flip" Murray, Joe Alexander, and Hakim Warrick combined with the expiring big money contracts of Brad Miller and Jerome James, Chicago has guaranteed them an opportunity at signing a max free agent this Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
offseason.Enough blabbering, let's talk about the deals from the Bulls' prospective.John Salmons to Milwaukee for Joe Alexander and Hakim Warrick Chicago receives: Joe Alexander, Hakim Warrick Milwaukee receives: John Salmons, Chicago 2011 Second Round Draft Pick, Chicago 2012 Second Round Draft Pick, and the right to swap 2010 first round picks with Chicago (top 10 protected)Overall, a great deal for the Bulls. While they do lose Salmons, who will be missed in the immediate (+0.1, 12.9 PER, 12.7 PPG), the long-term ramifications of the deal are nothing but positive.Obviously, Salmons was a definite disappointment for the 2009-2010 Bulls after averaging a little over 18 PPG for the Bulls after being acquired in a deadline deal with the Sacramento Kings.Again, while losing him hurts the team (very slightly) in the short-term, Salmons brought a very big x-factor to the table. A 2010-2011 opt-in clause. The one-year opt-in at $9 million would have made things very difficult for the Bulls this offseason and may have made it impossible for the Bulls to land a max free agent.Losing two second-round picks has no real barring on the Bulls. Second-round picks can bring good value (Milwaukee as an example), but it has not been a strength for the Bulls, especially for a team looking to content going forward.Alexander and Warrick (+2.7, 15.7 PER, 10.2 PPG) do not hurt the Bulls much in the short term. Both are at least serviceable. Alexander has been a giant disappointment and may not even see significant time but Warrick can come off the bench and provide some slight rebounding and scoring. His defensive shortcomings are well documented, but I do not think he'll really hurt our chances of grabbing one of the low seeds.Lastly, Milwaukee acquired the rights to swap 2010 first round picks with the Bulls. This will not mean much as both figure to be relatively close in the standings at the end of the year. The Bulls do have protection if they were to happen to get into the lottery and get a top 10 pick; however, I do not see that occurring. If anything, the Bulls may lose a few spots, but I do not see this being a major problem at all.Grade: B+Again, as I mentioned an overall great trade for the Bulls. While both Alexander and Warrick are not great players, they'll more than fill-in in theinterim. Both give us some more depth in thefrontcourtwhich depending on Joakim Noah's health may be extremely important. More importantly, ridding themselves of the potential of Salmons' opt-in guarantees the chance at a top-tier Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
free agent.Tyrus Thomas to Charlotte for Acie Law and Ronald "Flip" MurrayChicagoreceives: Acie Law, Flip Murray, future first round pick Charlottereceives: Tyrus ThomasI cannot express how much I love this deal. You must remember this is Tyrus Thomas. This player was set to have his rights renounced at the end of the season. To be able to get value, no matter how small, for a player that is essentially a two-month rental cannot be praised enough.Thomas, while having stellar peripherals (+5.3, 16.7 PER, 8.8 PPG) was a giant headache for Bulls fans and coaches alike. Between unfulfilled promise and clashes with head coaches, the whole package of Thomas had run its course in Chicago.While this move does not necessarily affect the Bulls salary cap all that much, it is still compensation for a player the Bulls were all but ready to let walk at the conclusion of the year. Earlier in the week, I was content with JUST acquiring a first-round pick for Thomas, however to get a pick and two expiring deals is icing on the cake.Acie Law (-11.5, 7.8 PER, 1.8 PPG) and Flip Murray (-4.9, 11.7 PER 9.9 PPG) are both terrible. No really way to say otherwise. They will provide depth to the Bulls backcourt, but do not significantly upgrade over Jannero Pargo. If anything, it is about a push.The real plus in this deal is the future draft pick. The pick starts at 2012, but has top-10 protection meaning that if Charlotte were to receive a top-10 pick in the year the Bulls select, Charlotte would maintain the rights.Still, I am not too worried; Charlotte has the makings of aperennialmiddle of the road in the East, so I feel we will get a decent value out of the pick (12th-16th).While it won't make up for the lost promise of a top 5 pick and the trading of LaMarcus Aldridge, it goes a long way in making this deal more than worth it from the Bulls standpoint.Grade: B-This was not a slam-dunk only because neither of the players the Bulls received are even nearserviceable. However, to get those players (and their expiring deals) combined with receiving a first round pick makes this deal a definite plus for the Bulls.Now to the future.Because of these two deals, the Chicago Bulls have officially placed themselves in position for one max free agent. Max free agents this offseason include Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, LeBron James, Carlos Boozer, and possibly Yao Ming. The Bulls now have the opportunity to make a push towards one of these players (preferablyJoe Johnson or Chris Bosh).While the Bulls were unable to move Kirk Hinrich Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
or Luol Deng to clear up space for potential two max deals, Forman and the Chicago Bulls have placed themselves in a very favorable spot going into theoff-season.Adding a player like Chris Bosh to an already above-average lineup featuring all star Derrick Rose and elite rebounder Joakim Noah would make again make Chicago contenders in the Eastern Conference. As always, don't forget to check out my radio show 643 Sports LIVE Mondays 7 PM CST/8 PM EST.- Rich Kraetsch