After hearing Pax's comments about him 'actively' looking at trade proposals, I started thinking about what teams right now would be really willing to deal.  It's got to be either a crap team looking to shed crappy contracts (Like Sac insisting Kenny Thomas go with BMiller) or a big time underachieving squad that needs a shakeup.  Under that category it's undeniable that the Raps are at the top of the heap. 

The knock on the Raps so far has been their un-inspired wing play, lack of 'toughness' and underachievment of their #1 pick from a few years ago, Bargnani.  Seems like the door is open for Pax to help Colangelo remedy those issues.

Here's my proposal: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=2456~3028~3030~2987~2010&teams=28~28~28~4~4&te=&cash

That's Noce + Thabo + Simmons for Bargnani + Kapono

For the Bulls, the main incentive is to unload Noce's contract.  Getting back Kapono, who's contract runs thru 2010 (he has player option for 6.6m that year) isn't ideal but he is a dead-eye shooter who can now hit 46% of the threes that Noce now takes and hits at at 37% clip.  Plus I really don't think his d is that big of a downgrade from Noce.  Yes, Noce still flops his way to some offensive foul calls and will valiantly try to guard 4's, but I can live without that if it means 5 less years of the overpriced and aging Argentine.  Plus that means VDN is forced to give TT more time in the 4th quarters.  And Bargnani - all I can say is he only has this year guaranteed, so if he plays well in pick and pops with DRose, keep him for one more year.  If not, let him loose.  Saves us dollars to re-sign Gordon in the summer or go after someone else.

For the Raps, they get supreme Intensity! from a wing position, a good, young athletic guard in Thabo that can spell the shell-that-was-Anthony Parker, and some inside help from Simmons, who can steal a few minutes for Bosh/O'neal, who don't have ANY inside help at all.  I really think they're fed up enough to take a gamble on Noce bringing a fire to the team that re-ignites them.  Plus, Colangelo LOVES the euro ballers, so to get a two for one swap might make him drool. 

I'd love to see this happen as the first of maybe two deals Pax makes before the deadline - the second of which would shed either of Hughes/Gooden/Hinrich for a more useful big man (ala BMiller or Kaman) or give us big time salary relief for next year and 2010.