Trade Deadline Day Deals

By Sean Mackey

Chicago finally ended it's 4 year long relationship with Tyrus Thomas on Thursday trading him to the Charlotte Bobcats for Flip Murray, Acie Law & a future 1st round draft pick. This deal was more or less to get the negative vibe out of the locker room for two expiring contracts and a bonus pick a few years down the line. Also, the John Salmons to the Bucks deal was finalized. The Bulls take back Hakim Warrick (spelled his name wrong yesterday) & Joe Alexander. The Bucks also have the right to switch picks with the Bulls in this years draft. My hopes of trading up to pick up a decent guard or forward in the 2010 draft seem kind of slim now.

Essentially, Chicago had to get rid of John Salmons to ensure he wouldn't opt in this summer, making it impossible to give a high caliber free agent a max deal. The Tyrus Thomas trade was made just to get something out him rather then just let him walk this summer. If you look at it clearly, all we got for Salmons & Tyrus was a future draft pick and 3 months rental of Hakim Warrick. Derrick Rose is going to have to pick up scoring even more if the Bulls care to make it to the playoffs and actually put up a fight in the first round. Tyrus Thomas' defense off the bench will be missed. Although he was brilliant at times, he never could do anything consistently and had spats with VDN on a regular basis.

The Bulls made the right moves to ensure they can still play well this season and possibly impressing a free agent to come this summer. A solid core of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich & Taj Gibson should help their cause.I honestly think only Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire & possibly Chris Bosh will leave their current teams. Any of those guys would help Chicago but the addition of Chris Bosh would make the Bulls a contender.

The Knicks made a major move yesterday that allows them to sign 2 max free agents next summer. They also get to rent the ghost of former all-star Tracy McGrady for the rest of the year. If all of the free agents decide not to go there, NY's whole last 5 years of losing will have been a complete waste and will cement them as a permanent laughing stock of the NBA. Why two players would want to join forces with Chris Duhon & Galinari is beyond me. They have nothing to offer other than New York being considered a "big market" for basketball. The Knicks are also screwed in the draft for several years to come. John Wall could very well end up in Utah next season because of a deal they did from a few years back. It's LeBron or bust.

The Bulls play the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at 8:00 p.m. on CSN Chicago and NBA League Pass. I'm not sure how many (if any at all) of the new guys will be suited up for tonight's game. Should be interesting none the less.