http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004/columns/story?id=1827142 By Chad Ford ESPN Insider The Phoenix Suns have traded away the No. 7 pick in Thursday's draft to the Chicago Bulls, ESPN.com Insider has learned. In the process, the Suns may be out of the running for Tracy McGrady. The trade, which won't be announced until Thursday, will give the Suns one of the Bulls' second-round picks (No. 31), a future first-rounder and an undisclosed sum of cash in return for the pick. The move is no surprise on one front -- the Bulls have been looking for a second lottery pick. They have had an infatuation with Oregon's Luke Jackson for some time and sources believe Chicago likely will select Jackson with the No. 7 pick. For the Suns, the move is more surprising. Earlier on Wednesday, the Suns were dangling the No. 7 pick, along with Shawn Marion, to the Magic in an effort to land McGrady. However, after the Magic announced that they wouldn't be making a T-Mac trade until after the draft, the Suns grew impatient and agreed to the swap with the Bulls. While Suns sources wouldn't characterize the talks with the Magic as "dead," they claim that they are no longer in active discussions with the Magic for McGrady. Why would the Suns give up a high lottery pick for only a future first-rounder? The Suns didn't feel that any player left at No. 7 would help their team immediately. They also wanted the extra cap space. By getting the No. 7 pick off their books, the Suns are suddenly looking at $16.3 million in cap space this summer to make a run at free agents. The Bulls also included minimum protections on their future first. The pick is protected in the top three in 2005 and as the top pick in 2006.
I think that is a more feasible solution versus Kobe. Nash still has a home in Phoenix. I feel Kobe will stay in LA.
Cuban's too busy trying to get Shaq without giving up Dirk. By the time he figures out that it isn't going to happen, T-Mac will be ours!!!
Well, hell, Steve for #3, #7 and JYD. Then make some other moves. Of course, the McGrady sweepstakes is still on, so I don't know.
Why would the Suns do this deal? They got ripped. The Bulls could be a border-line playoffs team next year by adding two lottery picks (and potential trades) and their pick next year could be in the mid-teens. Just heard that Chicago is shipping No. 7 and Tyson Chandler to Indiana for Al Harrington. Now they are getting ripped.
Free up more cap room for Kobe or other big-time free agents? They have no one that interested them at #7 and in case Chicago continue to stink next or after next season, they will be looking at a very good pick to add to an already talented squad ala the Pistons with the Darko pick?
Exactly. I think it's not a bad move. Is there any way we trade our pick this year for two picks of an sucky East team and some cash ???
They're in good position to make the playoffs next year if they trade their picks for veterans and if Chandler and Curry come back in good shape. If those two are really working hard this summer, as reported, they can be a special team next year. Curry, Chandler, Hinrich and Crawford? Nice core. If they can trade the #7 for some depth at SF, and draft Luol Deng with #3, they're in great shape. Curry/AD Chandler/JYD Deng/Robsinon? Crawford/?? Hinrich/Pargo Needs some depth, but it can definitely work. They need some experience/depth at the swingman position, but they can get that by trading #7 I guess. Maybe they're just going after Paul Pierce? Crawford, throw-in, #3, and #7 for Paul Pierce and the Celtics' highest pick? Ainge gets to rebuild with 4 first rounders and Crawford. His team looks like this, minus 4 picks: Blount/Yogi Williams/Mihm Welsch/??? Ricky Davis/Crawford Crawford/Atkins If they draft Deng, Podolkzine, and 2 PF's (with the last two picks), they're looking solid. Who knows. It doesn't look like a final deal though, it looks like it's done to make room for another deal.
I repeat....picks do not count against the cap until they are signed. They don't have to sign the pick until after they have completed their FA shopping spree. The trade has nothing to do with cap space. It's about how weak this draft is.
