Bulls to deal Hinrich and pick 17 to Wizards to clear space for 2 max contracts

[Dpantherman]

By Ric Bucher

ESPN The Magazine

The Chicago Bulls have a deal in place that would move Kirk Hinrich and the 17th pick to the Washington Wizards, freeing up enough cap space to pursue two maximum-salary players in this summer's free-agent market, sources with knowledge of the Bulls' plans said Thursday.

It wasn't immediately clear what Washington would send to Chicago in the trade.

The deal can't be officially consummated until July 8, when the Wizards will have room under the salary cap to absorb Hinrich's $9 million contract without having to send back anything of similar value.

Since it's a good-faith deal for the time being, there remains a chance it could fall apart. But according to one source, the Sacramento Kings are prepared to make a similar deal with the Bulls in the Wizards' stead if that were to happen.

Either way, moving Hinrich and the pick would push Chicago's space under the cap from $20 million to more than $30 million. That puts the Bulls on equal footing with the Miami Heat in pursuing not just one but two members of a free-agent class that is expected to include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2010/news/story?id=5324240&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_5324240

[BF91]

Makes ZERO sense for the Wizards unless they get to dump Arenas, which they won't. Why do they need three point guards, two of which are getting paid top (well one over-the-top) dollar?

[Dpantherman]

The Heat dumped some players as well to make way for 3 max guys

[theyhateme45]

Makes ZERO sense for the Wizards unless they get to dump Arenas, which they won't. Why do they need three point guards, two of which are getting paid top (well one over-the-top) dollar?

The Wizards are trying to move Arenas.... I know Orlando rejected a trade of Arenas for Vince.... They will not keep Wall/Arenas all season. So they get a draft pick, and Kirk for nothing (Player wise).....Why not.

[Kakarot]

Not too many teams gonna want to take on Arenas' contract.

Speaking of Orlando..

I also heard and read that they offered the Hornets Nelson and Carter for Chris Paul, and the Nets offered their #3 and Harris for Paul. Im interested in seeing if Paul is dealt tonight. I doubt it, but its been alot of buzz of him moving going on through the NBA

[pantherfan49]

Damn, don't you wish the Bobs had some cap space?

[Kakarot]

Yep. It's looking like this is going to be the offseason of all offseasons. I, too, wish the Cats could really be a major player in this offseason.

[pantherfan49]

Yep. It's looking like this is going to be the offseason of all offseasons. I, too, wish the Cats could really be a major player in this offseason.

If we weren't holding Diop's contract, we could do so much more. Taking on Diop's deal has to be the worst move this franchise has ever made.

[DaCityKats]

If we weren't holding Diop's contract, we could do so much more. Taking on Diop's deal has to be the worst move this franchise has ever made.

exactly.why keep him, and alexis.those guys suck.

[tarheelpride]

I kinda draw up an analogy to when we got into the league in 2004. in 03, the draft was amazing. LeBron, Carmelo, Wade, Bosh, and others. We kind of missed out on that and was stuck with Okafur (who was serviceable)

Now we're stuck in cap hell during which could be the best free agency class in history. And we're on the sidelines, just like 2003.

Kinda how I see it. could just be me

[Mesmer]

Anybody else kind of put off by this kind of behavior? Just talking about the league from an off the floor standpoint. But, to me it seems like something has to change.

[Zaximus]

I wish we could have made this deal. We could use a guy like Hinrich.