Chad Ford: Bulls Are Bosh’s First Choice

February 18th, 2009 by Andrew Wamboldt

According to Chad Ford, the Bulls will be Chris Bosh’s first choice come summer of 2010.

Chad Ford: A few weeks ago the Bulls finally got bold, attempting to work a complicated three-team deal that would land them Chris Bosh. The problem was, the Raptors and Suns weren’t willing partners.

In comparison, the Bulls trade for Brad Miller and John Salmons seems pretty underwhelming. How is the addition of Miller and Salmons the change that the Bulls really need? The answer, I think, is that it isn’t. Miller was once a force in the low post, but his best years are far behind him. Salmons is a good, versatile role player, but doesn’t really address their weaknesses in the front court.

However, another shoe could be dropping in Chicago. League sources continue to insist that the Bulls might not be done. As Marc Stein reported this morning, the Bulls and Wolves have talked about a Kirk Hinrich trade that would send back some more cap relief (Jason Collins and either Rashad McCants or Brian Cardinal) to Chicago. If the Bulls pull the trigger on that deal, they’ll have only $25 million in committed payroll coming into the summer of 2010. They could have even more space if Salmons opts out of his contract in the summer of 2010.

That would make them serious players in the 2010 free agent market for — you guessed it — Chris Bosh. A source close to Bosh told me this afternoon that Chicago would be his first choice as a free agent destination that summer.

While another year and half of mediocrity might be too long for some Bulls fans, a core of Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Chris Bosh might be worth the wait.

If the little tidbit about Chicago being Chris Bosh’s first choice is true, then it is imperative that the Bulls trade Kirk Hinrich for Minnesota’s expiring contracts. That is if they are unable to land Bosh or Amare Stoudemire in a three way trade before the deadline.

If the Bulls do choose to unload Kirk Hinrich in a salary dump, the Bulls would suddenly have a 2010 plan that involves them retaining Ben Gordon. With the Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, and Luol Deng on the roster, one would have to imagine that the Bulls would be an attractive team to free agent big men. But one big question remains, will Bulls management finally part ways with Kirk Hinrich?