Wiz Acquire Hinrich, Seraphin, $3M for Veermenko's rights

[LyricalRico]

What younger and better players are going to be traded for a guy with 3 knee surgeries, suspension, and some $60 million left on a 3 year deal? I fail to understand this fascination with trading Gil in HOPES of getting better in the long run. Even if he's at 80% of what he once was, he's a top 15 guard in this league. The man can single handedly win you games. You don't trade a player like that so you can get younger or better.

I don't think any questions whether or not Gil can "single handedly win you games". I certainly don't dispute that. But I do question how many games. If it's 50+, then fine. We keep him and look for that one or two pieces we need to take the next step. But if it's only 35+, then I don't see the point of paying him all that money to take us just far enough to be frustrated at missing the 8th seed. I think it's a lot closer to 35 than to 50, even in the best case scenario.

My point is that if were probably going to miss the playoffs anyway, missing big with a low cap number is better than barely missing with a capped out team. The latter leads to stagnation, while the former at least gives you a chance at making some moves to accelerate the process of becoming a contender.

(See more in the "Arenas for Vince" thread.)

[Wizardspride]

Even if he's at 80% of what he once was, he's a top 15 guard in this league. The man can single handedly win you games. You don't trade a player like that so you can get younger or better.

[fishercob]

Deal is official. VV's rights to Chicago!

[Hoopalotta]

Looks done....

MrMichaelLee Wiz finally completed trade for Kirk Hinrich & Kevin Seraphin. It's official.

KCJHoop Bulls finally announce Hinrich trade to Wizards.

[Hoopalotta]

Deal is official. VV's rights to Chicago!

We gave up Vladimir!?!

Actually, I had really been hoping one of our Euros would get tucked in there, that's when you know it's a proper absorption trade.

[Hoopalotta]

Chi-town reporter:

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/20 ... zards.html

By K.C. Johnson

The Bulls finalized and announced the draft-night trade of guard Kirk Hinrich to the Wizards Thursday evening.

The Bulls also traded the draft rights to Kevin Seraphin, the 17th overall pick they made for the Wizards, and sent $3 million to complete the transaction. The Bulls acquired the draft rights to forward Vladimir Veremeenko, who isn't on their summer-league roster.

"During this free agency period, we wanted to aggressively position ourselves to explore every avenue possible to improve our team," general manager Gar Forman said in a statement. "That said, it was not an easy decision for us to trade Kirk.

"Since Kirk joined us back in 2003, he came to play every time he stepped on the court and he always gave 100 percent. We will miss Kirk and wish him the best of the luck."

With 514 games, Hinrich was the longest-tenured Bull. He averaged 13.4 points and 5.8 assists in seven seasons. He also leaves as the franchise's all-time leader in three-point field goals made with 812.

Hinrich has kept a very low profile since the trade went down. In an interview with local television stations Wednesday, he took the high road.

"I'm very appreciative of my time here in Chicago," Hinrich said. "They gave me a chance to grow as a player. The fans were great. I'm going to miss it, but I'm also excited about moving on.

"I told (management) when I talked to them I hope (the free-agency plan) works out for them. I have a lot of respect for the organization."

Veremeenko, 25, is a 25-year-old native of Belarus whom the Wizards drafted in the second round in 2006. He played last season with Unics Kazan in the Russia-A Superleague.

[nate33]

I assume the VV part is the vehicle to get us that 2nd $3M in cash.

[Three34]

I assume the VV part is the vehicle to get us that 2nd $3M in cash.

No. You had to give up something in the trade, no matter how insignificant. And it doesn't get much more insignificant than the draft rights to the Meenk Machine.

[Tyrone Messby]

Pretty happy with this trade now considering Chicago struck out. When is Seraphin supposed to come over?

[Rafael122]

This year. Supposedly.

[sfam]

Chi-town reporter:

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/20 ... zards.html

By K.C. Johnson

The Bulls finalized and announced the draft-night trade of guard Kirk Hinrich to the Wizards Thursday evening.

The Bulls also traded the draft rights to Kevin Seraphin, the 17th overall pick they made for the Wizards, and sent $3 million to complete the transaction. The Bulls acquired the draft rights to forward Vladimir Veremeenko, who isn't on their summer-league roster.

"During this free agency period, we wanted to aggressively position ourselves to explore every avenue possible to improve our team," general manager Gar Forman said in a statement. "That said, it was not an easy decision for us to trade Kirk.

"Since Kirk joined us back in 2003, he came to play every time he stepped on the court and he always gave 100 percent. We will miss Kirk and wish him the best of the luck."

With 514 games, Hinrich was the longest-tenured Bull. He averaged 13.4 points and 5.8 assists in seven seasons. He also leaves as the franchise's all-time leader in three-point field goals made with 812.

Hinrich has kept a very low profile since the trade went down. In an interview with local television stations Wednesday, he took the high road.

"I'm very appreciative of my time here in Chicago," Hinrich said. "They gave me a chance to grow as a player. The fans were great. I'm going to miss it, but I'm also excited about moving on.

"I told (management) when I talked to them I hope (the free-agency plan) works out for them. I have a lot of respect for the organization."

Veremeenko, 25, is a 25-year-old native of Belarus whom the Wizards drafted in the second round in 2006. He played last season with Unics Kazan in the Russia-A Superleague.

Noooooooo! Not Vlad!!! Dammit...he's gonna turn into an All-Star now for sure.

[Hoopalotta]

OK, as fans we get chuckles out of these...Chad Ford chat:

[Comment From RC RC: ]
Chad what are you hearing about the Bulls moves going forward? As a disappointed Chicago fan I want nothing more than to knock the Heat out of the Playoffs next year. Thanks for the hard work and great info.

Chad Ford, ESPN Insider:
I think have a chance. They need a shooter now more than anything else. There's going to be a bidding war for Mike Miller. J.J. Redick and Kyle Korver are also going to get paid. But Bulls probably wishing they kept Kirk Hinrich and then drafted a guy like James Anderson ... that's the problem.

Takes the sting of LeBJ's shenanigans a bit. We're hosed, but we took someone down with us.

[Ruzious]

So if the Bulls have a decent 1st half this season, we trade them back Hinrich for their playoff run - for a future 1st.

[TheBigThree]

So Seraphin was at today's mincamp? That's cool.

[omegatronic3]

well looks like we got a deal here if this guy turns out to be half decent.

Is he a 4 or a 5

The Bulls basically did this for nothin. If you ask me LeBron knew all along where he was going and took all these teams for a ride....the Knicks, Nets and especially Chicago got held hostage....each got something out of it but not enogh to make them contenders. The problem is power shifted east so were gonna have to fight off all of these improving teams.

[verbal8]

So if the Bulls have a decent 1st half this season, we trade them back Hinrich for their playoff run - for a future 1st.

I don't think he can be traded back for a year.

However I think there will be plenty of teams interested in Hinrich at the trade deadline. I could see him fitting very well with the Spurs, Lakers or Magic.

[wake20]

This just turned into an AWESOME trade. Laughing at the Bulls is fun.

[verbal8]

This just turned into an AWESOME trade. Laughing at the Bulls is fun.

Given the way the free agency market has gone it would probably take more money to get Hinrich if he was a free agent. I doubt he would get the annual salary, but the deal he would command would be far too long.

[montestewart]

This just turned into an AWESOME trade. Laughing at the Bulls is fun.

Given the way the free agency market has gone it would probably take more money to get Hinrich if he was a free agent. I doubt he would get the annual salary, but the deal he would command would be far too long.

And finding out which 2nd rounder the Bulls got from the Wizards (which had been a concern of mine) also makes it a better deal. OK EG, your deal is looking better with each additional piece of information.

[JonathanJoseph]

I just spent literally the last hour and a half writing a legitimate essay on the possibility of the Wizards making the playoffs as an 8 seed and the potentially horrible longterm ramifications of doing so, only to have been logged out by realgm after I clicked submit and thus losing it all. Probably karma for writing/researching that while at work.

But yeah, if you look at the teams in the East, theres 6 teams you can pretty much pencil in for the playoffs (cavs, magic, heat, celtics, hawks, bulls), 1 that has a pretty good shot (Bucks), and in my opinion 4 that have the potential to win some games and sneak in as the 8 seed because somebody's gotta do it (Bobcats, Knicks, 76ers, Wizards). I honestly feel like we're already the best out of that group, and I think there's a realistic chance that we make the playoffs this year, or are at least in the hunt. The result of that is a first round exit and the 15th pick in the draft, which won't return a very valuable player, most likely a servicable backup, and we could really use a Jeff Green and/or Russell Westbrook for our Durant (Wall).

Wow. Is the 80% Arenas a better player than Westbrook? Yes. Is the 2nd-half of 2009-2010 Andray Blatche better than Westbrook? Probably yes. Can Javale McGee be better than Westbrook. Possibly.

Jeff Green is a quality NBA starter and not much more. James Harden will likely become their 3rd best player. Wall/Arenas/Blatche/McGee is very likely comparable to Durant/Westbrook/Harden/Green.