Bulls Acquire Amare Stoudemire, Tucker For Brad Miller, Tyrus Thomas, Roberson, First-Rounder <---> #1 January 19, 2010 - The Suns and Bulls have agreed on a trade that will send perennial all-star big man
Amare Stoudemire, along with disgruntled bench warmer
Alando Tucker to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for veteran center
Brad Miller, athletic combo forward
Tyrus Thomas, scrub point guard
Anthony Roberson and the Bulls' 2010 draft pick. Both teams have suffered disappointing seasons. The 18-23 Suns are slipping from the playoff picture, and look to rebuild around young point guard and Rookie Of The Year candidate
Jrue Holiday. The Bulls, 21-21 have been suffering with mediocrity the past few years, and get their first dominant low post scorer since Elton Brand.
The trade is a no-brainer for Chicago. The offseason saw both
Ben Gordon and
Kirk Hinrich leave the team via free agency and trades respectively. In response, they picked up Rockets forward
Ron Artest. Despite
Luol Deng making a comeback and being a candidate for sixth man of the year, the Bulls are a disappointing 21-21, and are likely first-round fodder. Though it hurts to lose rising star Thomas, they gain a superstar in Amare, and this move easily puts them in the top four of the Eastern Conference. Brad Miller was disgruntled with his diminished role and wanted out, as did Roberson. The one possible issue with this trade is that Stoudemire is an expiring contract. However, Amare has stated that Chicago was one of his desired destinations, and that he intends to resign this summer. This could end up being as big a coup as the 2008
Pau Gasol trade.
The Suns meanwhile, look to be in a rebuilding stage.
Shaquille O'Neal definitely looks like the next to go, and is mentioned in rumors with Cleveland, the Clippers and San Antonio. On pace for 36 wins, the Suns are going nowhere fast. With it all but certain that Amare would leave for greener pastures in the offseason, the Suns opted to acquire a young prospect in Tyrus Thomas, with Miller there to make salaries match. The flaw in this plan is that Thomas will be a (restricted) free agent this Summer. While they may have been able to get a better deal, the Suns at least get something for Amare. The draft pick and Thomas should be solid building blocks for the newly rebuilt Phoenix Suns. Disgruntled benchwarmers Roberson and Tucker were inserted in the trade for good measure.
Bulls Get:Amare Stoudemire 2009-10: 37 games | 36.7 MPG | 22.4 PPG | 8.2 RPG | 2.3 APG | 1.2 BPG | 0.7 SPG | 1.9 TOPG | .525 FG%
Alondo Tucker 2009-10: 16 games | 6.2 MPG | 3.5 PPG | 0.8 RPG | 0.4 APG | 0.0 BPG | 0.1 SPG | 0.6 TOPG | .431 FG%
Projected Starters: Derrick Rose | John Salmons | Ron Artest | Amare Stoudemire | Joakim Noah
Suns get:Tyrus Thomas 2009-10: 40 games | 31.8 MPG | 13.2 PPG | 7.4 RPG | 1.5 APG | 2.0 BPG | 1.3 SPG | 1.3 TOPG | .467 FG%
Brad Miller 2009-10: 33 games | 18.2 MPG | 6.8 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 2.4 APG | 0.4 BPG | 0.5 SPG | 1.5 TOPG | .492 FG%
Anthony Roberson 2009-10: 6 games | 4.5 MPG | 1.3 PPG | 0.6 RPG | 0.8 APG | 0.0 BPG | 0.1 SPG | 0.5 TOPG | .317 FG%
2010 First Round Pick (CHI): Projected 21st overall.
Projected Starters: Jrue Holiday | Jason Richardson | Grant Hill | Tyrus Thomas | Shaquille O'Neal
Bulls Trade Grade: A- | Suns Trade Grade: B