Rumoured deal for Carlos Boozer brewing

Absolutely.

For a backup guard and an underwhelming power forward in the midst of an identity crisis, the Bulls obtain the one thing that everyone's been telling them for about 8 years that they need - an inside scorer, a post presence, a guaranteed double guy. I'm perhaps surprised that the team that employs both Paxson brothers is on board with acquiring him, all things considered, but it's a pleasant surprise. Players of this calibre are hard to get.

So, what's the downside?

After this trade, the Bulls are left with a starting lineup of Derrick Rose, John Salmons, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah, with a bench of Jannero Pargo, Brad Miller, James Johnson and Taj Gibson. It's not an especially balanced team; it lacks three point shooting, the backcourt defense would be below par, the spacing congested, and the bench left thin. The guard spots are particularly bland. A title team, it is not.

But if the Bulls don't do this deal, it's not a title team anyway. Nor will they be any closer to it. And if they stand pat, they're diminishing their chances of ever getting there; even if this deal sees Boozer arriving only as a one year rental, it moves Hinrich's 2010 unfriendly salary. And that's what we've always wanted, right? A chance to acquire a star.

The 2010 free agency summer might be a huge anti-climax. I certainly have been predicting that for a while, and, buoyed by the news that the salary cap is going to decrease dramatically next offseason, I remain confident in my prediction that many of the so-called "big" free agents will not be free agents at all. The 2010 class has already suffered from the news of the decreased cap, Yao Ming's injury andAndrea Bargnani's extension, and if certain teams (i.e. Miami, Cleveland and Toronto) are able to sufficiently tool up to convince their stars to sign extensions, then it'll be an even bigger washout.

However, come what may, all those expiring contracts represent an opportunity to rebuild the team. With Boozer, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and John Salmons, the Bulls have a young superstar on board, a fine young centre, an artist formerly known as one of the game's elite young forwards, a 20/10 power forward (OK, 16/10) and a candidate for last year's Most Improved Player award.

Further to that, they have the $25 million+ combined expirings of Brad Miller, Jerome James and Tim Thomas to play with, as well as Boozer's own 8 figure expiring deal. The more expirings they have, the more trade options they have, the more potential free agency potency they rock around with.

As the insufferably cheesy old saying goes, you've got to be in it to win it. And this puts Chicago right back in it.

There are risks to taking on Boozer. He'll be an unrestricted free agent next summer, in a summer when everyone's trying to be a big name player in free agency, and he'll want big money. He's soon to be 28, which puts him into the prime of his career, yet he's also suffered from injuries quite a lot in the first half of his career, enough to make you pause for thought. And he's also one of the hairiest men in the Western world, which brings with it fears of a possible nits epidemic.

However, being able to get this much in return for Tyrus Thomas and a non-expiring contract is a deal that the Bulls have to take. Tyrus will never become a player of Boozer's calibre, and to be able to get one in exchange for him is not something to be overlooked. The deal further guts an already thin roster and creates more holes, but those holes are easier to fill. (Giggidy.)

Even if Boozer walks in free agency, and 2010 is a washout, the Bulls took a shot. The one thing we've been begging them to do.