http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16766Bulls acquire Salmons, Miller in seven-player deal with Kings
As the trade deadline closes to within a 24-hour window, the Chicago Bulls got a jump on the action on Wednesday. The struggling Bulls have acquired swingman John Salmons and center Brad Miller from the Sacramento Kings in a three-team, seven-player deal. Chicago shipped forwards Drew Gooden, Andres Nocioni and Cedric Simmons to Sacramento and center Michael Ruffin to the Portland Trail Blazers, who dealt Ike Diogu to the Kings. The Bulls have been rumored to be in the running for the likes of Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh to shore up an underachieving frontcourt, but nothing concrete has materialized on either front. In lieu of either superstar, they instead picked up Miller, the 7-foot veteran who can provide both a scoring and rebounding presence inside.
The Bulls know that from personal experience - Miller spent 1 1/2 seasons with the club from 2000-2002 before being traded to the Indiana Pacers. The two-time All-Star is averaging 11.9 points and 8.0 rebounds but has battled injuries this season, having missed the last six contests with an abdominal strain. While Miller should immediately slide into the starting lineup, the team sacrificed some depth to get him. Gooden leads the team in rebounding at 8.6 per contest, while adding 13.1 points. His contract will expire at the conclusion of the season. Nocioni, a 6-7, 225-pound shooter, has been a valuable role player for the Bulls over the last four years. The team also acquired Salmons, who has enjoyed a career season with 18.3 points and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the floor. The seventh-year swingman carried much of the team's scoring load while Kevin Martin missed time earlier this season with a sprained ankle. "Brad Miller is a skilled big man, who we feel will fit into many of the things that we run offensively. He is a good shooter and passer, and has a natural feel for how to play the game," Chicago general manager John Paxson said. "John Salmons will bring us tremendous versatility in the backcourt, and at the small forward position. He has good size and length, and has shown the ability to score this year."
Simmons has played sparingly since being selected 15th overall by the New Orleans Hornets out of North Carolina State in 2006. He is averaging 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds. In Diogu, the Kings acquire a former ninth overall selection who has not lived up to his potential. He will be joining his fourth NBA team in as many years, having washed out with Golden State, Indiana and now Portland. His playing time has dwindled this season as the Blazers have surged into the thick of the playoff race. Portland picked up Ruffin, a journeyman big man who has yet to see any action this season.
