Trade

[MNPacersfan]

Thoughts on this trade scenario:

Utah receives:
TJ Ford (IND) and Jerome James (CHI)

Indiana receives:
Andrei Kirilenko (UTA), Tyrus Thomas (CHI) and Kirk Hinrich (CHI)

Chicago receives:
Jeff Foster (IND), Brandon Rush (IND) and Zydrunas Ilgauskas (CLE)

Cleveland receives:
Troy Murphy (IND)

Utah takes on Ford from Indy because they get to shed AK47 and his $$ next year. Ford is a $9+ mill savings over AK in 2010-11 and a trade asset that will increase in value as next season progresses. If Jerry Sloan can get through to him (when will TJ get it?), they may just have a PG off the bench that will allow D-Will to play some minutes at the less taxing 2 position. They also get James's expiring salary for some upcoming cap relief.

Indy takes on players (or players’ contracts) that other teams don’t want, but that seems like a good thing in this case since they're all strong defenders and would add some much-needed athleticism. This would be a huge culture change. In addition, Kirilenko is a HUGE 2011 expiring salary. 2011 already figures to be Indy’s big splash year in the free agent market.
AK47, who should fit very well in O’Brien’s offense, plays viscious good D, and would get back to playing some 3 AND some 4 (where he excelled in previous years). Hinrich plays good D and is a high caliber playmaker. This gives AJ Prices a couple of additional years to develop. In reward for taking Hinrich's contract, the Pacers get Tyrus Thomas, who the Bulls want to move almost as badly as Hinrich. Thomas is a low risk (final year of his rookie deal) high reward type of athlete. Thomas and Hibbert with Hansbrough, Solomon Jones and McRoberts make a talented young and deep frontcourt. This also completely relegates Dunleavy to the 2. No need for any more minutes at the 3 since Granger and AK fill that hole deeply.

Chicago gets a veteran boost for their frontcourt with Ilgauskas (offense) and Foster (defense). They also get a backcourt player to develop in Rush. Ilgauskas would be a playoff experienced scoring big fella, but may be extraneous and therefore a buyout candidate. They get something back for Thomas, shed 3 years of hinrich and take back as much expiring money as they give up.

Cleveland wants Murphy? They got him for the price of Ilgauskas (whom they may be able to re-sign if Chicago goes to the buyout).

[Miller4ever]

Welcome to the boards.

We have a dedicated trade thread at the top of the board. Feel free to copy and paste this there.