Yahoo Sports is reporting, from 3 sources, that the Bulls and Heat had exensive trade talks involving Ben Gordon.
In fact, Miami has been exploring a lot of possibilities, including, three sources told Yahoo! Sports, recent discussions with the Chicago Bulls on several trade scenarios that included Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for unsigned restricted free agent Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes and possibly Joakim Noah. Yet, those talks died within the past seven to 10 days and sources said there was no indication they would be restarted.
Source: Yahoo Sports
Ben Gordon was seen at a charity event last weekend Wade’s World Foundation’s charity event at 10pin Bowling Lounge. Typically, only friends of the athlete actually end up attending these charity events.
On July 31st, Victor Bellan reported that the Bulls were talking to the Miami Heat, New Orleans Hornets, and Phoenix Suns.
On August 18th, we had reports that trade talks have fell through between the Bulls and Heat. At the time, I ventured to guess that the deal being discussed was Ben Gordon and Andres Nocioni for Shawn Marion. The Heat wouldn’t be too thrilled with such a trade, as Nocioni’s contract would cut into their cap flexibility in 2010.
The Miami Herald reported on Wednesday that the Bulls and Heat have had talks about a sign and trade involving Ben Gordon. They say Gordon wants big money and that the Heat will take their current roster into camp. They don’t say that the fact that Gordon wants big money has anything to do with it.
The new deal, involving Larry Hughes instead of Andres Nocioni seemed to be the logical direction that the trade talks would move. Larry Hughes allows the Heat to retain their cap flexibility for 2010.
It is interesting seeing Joakim Noah pop up in trade talks again. Noah’s name has previously popped up in the Brad Miller trade talks. It seems as though Joakim Noah is nothing but a throw on in trade talks these days. The Bulls are likely fed up with Noah after the marijuana arrest, showing up to summer league grossly out of shape, and just generally not doing a whole lot this summer.
It is hard to see Joakim Noah as a deal breaker on either side.
These trade talks are very alarming. I would hope that the Bulls aren’t foolish enough to trade Ben Gordon to Miami. Ben Gordon, Dwyane Wade, and Michael Beasley would form the most potent offensive trio in the league. The scariest part of this trade is that Miami will still be able to sign a max free agent in 2010. They could add a low post player in Yao Ming, Chris Bosh, or Amare Stoudemire. They could decide they have enough offense already, and sign a defensive specialist such as Tyson Chandler. If the Cleveland Cavaliers end up stinking the next two years, Miami could quickly become the favorites to sign Lebron James.
If Miami cannot get the Bulls to pull a trigger on this deal (it is really hard to see as things being held up on the Miami side), then they may have another shot at Gordon next offseason. If Gordon takes the qualifying offer, the Heat will have enough money to offer him a lucrative contract on the open market.
If Pat Riley can pull off the heist of Ben Gordon, he has to begin being placed in discussions as the greatest general manager in NBA History. He will have put in place the best offensive trio in the league, while still having the flexibility to add to that core in 2010.
We can only hope that John Paxson (or more accurately, Jerry Reinsdorf’s cheapness) doesn’t create the next NBA dynasty down in Miami.
