[Chicago Tribune] Bye-Bye, Ben? We'll see (Wallace for AK47?)

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ON THE NBA

Bye-Bye, Ben? We'll see

Bulls may have willing trade partner in Jazz, which wants out of Kirilenko's contract

Sam Smith

February 10, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY

The Bulls, starting Tuesday against the New Orleans Hornets, have two home games left before the NBA trading deadline. Will they be the last two for Ben Wallace in a Bulls uniform?

It has been no secret around the NBA the Bulls have engaged in exploratory trade talks regarding Wallace in recent weeks, most notably with theLakers before they acquired Pau Gasol. There also have been rumors of talks with the Knicks, though perhaps the most intriguing match is with the Utah Jazz.

Would the Jazz take the 34-year-old Wallace, and his hefty contract, for Andrei Kirilenko?

On the surface, it would seem unlikely. Kirilenko is far more productive and younger (27 this month). But, as we saw with the Gasol andShaquille O'Neal deals, there are many other factors in NBA trades than just talent.

A big one for the Jazz is the length and amount of Kirilenko's contract, which goes one more season (three) than Wallace's and is at $17.8 million for that final year. Trading Kirilenko for Wallace would save the Jazz $21 million as Kirilenko is paid more annually than Wallace.

The small-market Jazz has to be a budget-conscious franchise, but it also has bigger issues on the horizon.

The Jazz has star point guard Deron Williams eligible for an extension this summer, and then Carlos Boozer before the end of Kirilenko's deal. It already has talked openly of paying Williams the maximum.

Kirilenko asked for a trade before the season, and though he hasn't been a problem, he hasn't rescinded his request. Plus, Kirilenko plays out of position with the Jazz at small forward.

Though just off a 10-game winning streak before beating the Bulls here Saturday night, the Jazz remains one of the poorest rebounding teams in the league, 21st overall, 27th in defensive rebounding and 24th in blocks.

Asked by reporters about a trade, Kirilenko hardly said he would like to stay.

"It's not that I want to be traded, but I'm ready to be," he said. "Anybody in this league, they understand that position. Nobody wants to be traded. We're playing good. And I want to be part of it. But, again, it's a business -- and it's not in my hands."

That's hardly a plea to stay.

For his part, Wallace doesn't have any thoughts about the trade deadline.

"I just go out and do what I do," he said. "I'm fine with how it's going. Again, that's on management. There are a lot of teams out there making deals, trying to get better. Who knows? It don't worry me. It's a part of the business. If they're going to trade you, there's not much you can do. You have the best job in the world. It would just be in a different city. It don't bother me. The only time it starts bothering me is when nobody wants me."

There was a report on ESPN this weekend of Bulls talks with the Knicks about Wallace forQuentin Richardson, Malik Rose and Fred Jones. Wallace is believed to have told friends he expects to be traded and would like to go to the Knicks.

I believe if the Bulls can't get something better, they could do that to move Wallace's contract, though Rose has a season left after this and Richardson two. Those two, though, hardly address the Bulls' needs and perhaps create other issues.

Some of the motivation to move Wallace now is that Joakim Noah clearly is the team's future center, and that was evident again in a strong finish Thursday night in Golden State.

Kirilenko is hardly an All-Pro, but he has been an All-Star, can make a shot and plays defense. He would look good next to Noah with Tyrus Thomas or Luol Deng at small forward.

With Thabo Sefolosha andKirk Hinrich in the backcourt, suddenly that doesn't look so bad as Hinrich is much better playing with Sefolosha. Dealing Wallace also could allow the Bulls to make a move to address the point guard or shooting guard spots further.

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sasmith@tribune.com

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