How About A Whole New Plan?

We've spent months debating the plausibility of the 2010 plan, and it seems the general opinion around here is that it's a pie in the sky. We probably don't even have the cap space to sign a max free agent, the assets to facilitate a sign-and-trade, and even if we did the big names will likely either stay put or team up together in Miami or New York.

That being said, I propose a new plan.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yf7ay73

(Looks like link didn't work: NYK give Curry, Hughes, Hill; Bulls give Thomas, James, Miller, Johnson)

When you consider it, this should be a no brainer for both teams.

For the Knicks it achieves everything they need to give themselves a real shot at making a 2010 splash. Not only are they shedding $25 million in guaranteed salaries, but they get back a raw, potential-filled young player on his rookie deal who has the tools to eventually blossom in D'Antoni's system (Johnson), and a second young player entering restricted free agency whose rights they could renounce to free up more cap space or resign as a fall back if they fail to sign two max free agents (Thomas).

On the Bull's side of things it's a little more complicated. Key to this deal is the fact that Eddy is back. Check out the line from his first game this year: 12 minutes, 10 points on .75 fg% and 4 rebounds. Extrapolate that over 36 minutes and that's an absurd 30ppg with 12 rebounds! He's the type of low post scorer this team has been lacking, well, since the last time he was on the team. Opposite Noah, Curry brings a valuable balance to our frontline. And when you consider that we'd also be getting back a top ten pick in Hill, the Bulls suddenly have one of the deepest and most versatile frontlines in the league.

Getting Hughes back is similarly valuable. Say what you want about the guy, but check out these stats: 14ppg on .45 fg%, 4.3 reb, 4.6 ast., and 2.2 steals? Those are the types of numbers we dreamed about Salmons from the 2-guard spot. And suddenly our back court is actually deep again. Plus, no more Pargo!!!

And all the Bull's need to do is change a single number in their memos! Durant becomes the target in an off season that will feature significantly less competition than this one, and with no suitors likely to have the combination of money and promise as the Bulls.

And face it, it'll be good to see these familiar faces again. We'll pair up the original Hometown Hero with his successor, Hughes will shine every 6 games, and the Bulls might even make a run for the second round. Most importantly, we can finally dust off those old jerseys in the back of our closets.

via graphics2.jsonline.com

via images.dailyradar.com