Salmons, Miller Traded To Bulls

by Ryne Nelson

Two different situations. The Kings are in cap clearing mode (for what or whom, we’re not certain). The Bulls are aiming at the Playoffs and above.

NBA.com’s David Aldridge had the phones working:

The Kings agreed on Wednesday to a trade that sends forward John Salmons and center Brad Miller to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for forwards Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni, according to league sources.

I’m not sure how Bulls fans can’t be happy with this trade. It works great contractually and personnel-wise as well. Brad Miller is coming back to the Chi, and he’s still got some gas. Joakim Noah and Aaron Grey can take a seat as the Bulls have their first effective offensive center since…Brad Miller. Young John Salmons is the player they hoped Larry Hughes would be when they made a eleventh-hour trade with the Cavs only a year ago, and he has the contract they hoped Ben Gordon would sign this summer. Chicago still has a clutter of guards, so don’t be surprised if either Thabo Sefolosha or Kirk Hinrich are shipped for cap room before the deadline. The chances of Gordon returning as a Bull next season have greatly diminished.

If any player would be happy in Sacramento, it would be Drew Gooden, who hails from North Cali. Andres Nocioni is a decent piece for the Kings, who should play well with young bigs Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson. Center Cedric Simmons is also reported to be going to Sacramento. The Kings save some money, open up minutes to develop their young players and mortgage their future on this great Ponzi scheme that is summer free agency.