Bulls trade forward James Johnson for 1st round draft pick

[Da Coach]

The Bulls traded 2nd year small forward James Johnson to the Toronto Raptors for the 2011 1st round draft pick of the Miami Heat, which the raptors had acquired in the Chris Bosh sign and trade deal. Not a bad deal for Johnson, who was not in the Bulls plans, and was not playing. He had recently spent a stint with the Iowa Energy of the NBA-DL.

Speculation is that the Bulls needed an additional draft pick to swing a deal for a shooting guard such as Anthony Parker of Cleveland, Courtney Lee of Houston, Wilson Chandler of the Denver Nuggets, or OJ Mayo of Memphis.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/3960619-419/johnson-shipped-to-raptors-for-first-round-pick.html

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/617335-nba-trade-deadline-what-does-the-chicago-bulls-trade-of-james-johnson-tell-us

[thefish7]

My money is on lee or mayo... Could be parker for just one of the pics.

[runninfiend]

lol@raptors. Why would they possibly make this trade? Is there some financial consideration I'm not seeing here? JJ is a D-league level player, not a rotation guy. For a first round pick??? Nice work, Gar-pax.

[Da Coach]

One report I saw said the Raptors management really liked Johnson and considered making a trade to to get an additional pick to enable them to draft him in 2009. They drafted Demar Derozan at #9, and the Bulls rated Johnson highly enough to draft him at #16. The pick Toronto traded to the Bulls is Miami's, and therefore will be a low 1st rounder. I think they still like Johnson and believe he can develop into something better than they would be able to draft at around 27-28th in this year's draft. It is still a great deal for the Bulls. Taj Gibson, who was a 2009 draft pick at #26, after Johnson, has already developed into a much better player, offensively and defensively, so they really never saw a future for Johnson in Chicago.

[TheGuy]

Mayo would be nice since he is young and has a lot of upside, but I also have heard that Mayo is at his best with the ball. This would obviously take it out of Rose's hands, which is not a good thing. But a talent nonetheless and a good pickup if we could make a deal.

[thefish7]

I'm concerned about mayo's recent issues but he's the best talent the bulls are associated with. I think I'd be willing to take him at the risk that thibodeau can keep him in line... IF you can get him for two picks. Afraid it would cost something more like asik and two picks, at which point I think courtney lee becomes the more attractive option.

[runninfiend]

Mayo would be nice since he is young and has a lot of upside, but I also have heard that Mayo is at his best with the ball. This would obviously take it out of Rose's hands, which is not a good thing. But a talent nonetheless and a good pickup if we could make a deal.

I don't think the ball is coming out of Rose's hands. Chicago needs a two guard, a spot up shooter to take some pressure off of Rose and hit kick-outs from the posts. Mayo is really a basement level option, he's very average this year, Asik and two picks is too much for him.

Lee is probably the better option. He's a better shooter from 3 and likely would cost less.

[runninfiend]

One report I saw said the Raptors management really liked Johnson and considered making a trade to to get an additional pick to enable them to draft him in 2009. They drafted Demar Derozan at #9, and the Bulls rated Johnson highly enough to draft him at #16. The pick Toronto traded to the Bulls is Miami's, and therefore will be a low 1st rounder. I think they still like Johnson and believe he can develop into something better than they would be able to draft at around 27-28th in this year's draft. It is still a great deal for the Bulls. Taj Gibson, who was a 2009 draft pick at #26, after Johnson, has already developed into a much better player, offensively and defensively, so they really never saw a future for Johnson in Chicago.

Ok, that makes sense. I'm certainly no NBA scout but Johnson has shown nothing to indicate he was a good first round pick. Then again, maybe he gets a chance to show that with some floor time. I doubt it, but hey.

I really like this pick for the Bulls, there are some intriguing guys out there in this draft. Plus they get to clear cap space. Good move.

[houstontxbrave]

Courtney Lee is a Tibs type player. IE plays defense, does not demand the ball, runs the floor and plays hard.

Parker or Lee would be very good fits in Chicago.

[Da Coach]

Chicago Sun Times article about the Bulls-

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/3971538-419/doesnt-anyone-want-to-play-for-the-bulls.html

Amazing. The Bulls have surprised everyone, exceeded expectations, have the 3rd best record in the East, despite playing 18 games without star forward Carlos Boozer, and the last 30 games without star center Joakim Noah, and even playing games without some of their other stars due to injury. They continue to improve, and could realistically be the top seeded team by the end of the season as they continue to improve and get healthty.
However, this writer decides now to write this hit piece about all the star players who have chosen not to play for the Bulls!
Here are some of the names he mentions as if Chicago is so unacceptable for stars to consider-
LeBron and Bosh admitted they conspired to play together in Miami, and never seriously even considered the Bulls. Deron Williams and Chris Paul are mentioned, even though they were never even sought by the Bulls. Why would they? They already have a superior point guard. Carmelo Anthony was dead set on playing back in New York, his home town, yet the writer throws his name into the article, too. And Amare Stoudamire is also mention, though I feel the Bulls got a better player in Boozer.

So can anyone tell what exactly is the point of this article? The writer asks-
"They know they have to get someone. But, the question remains: Why aren’t players coming to them?"

IDK, seems they are doing pretty well without those guys, and most of them were never even players the Bulls wanted.

[BradleyBrave]

No clue what the motivation is for this article. Potash isn't even a regular Bulls beat writer. Boozer is an all-star and an Olympian, and he came to them. Noah is a borderline all-star, and he very happily just signed a long extension. Derrick Rose could be the league MVP and will be signing an extension too (he's also better than Deron and Paul). The Bulls are a SG away from being a legitimate title contender now - I am not sure what there is to complain about.

[amckillip]

I don't think the Bulls are doing anything wrong at all. I absolutely hate Derrick Rose, but I think the bulls are doing a good job assembling a team. However, I'd just like to point out that, apart from a Bulls fan, no one would call Joakim Noah, or even Boozer 'stars'...

[BradleyBrave]

I don't think the Bulls are doing anything wrong at all. I absolutely hate Derrick Rose, but I think the bulls are doing a good job assembling a team. However, I'd just like to point out that, apart from a Bulls fan, no one would call Joakim Noah, or even Boozer 'stars'...

Just curious - Why do you hate Derrick Rose?

Also, Boozer won a national title, is a 4-time All-Star, and an Olympian. How is he not a star?

[thefish7]

Just curious - Why do you hate Derrick Rose?

Also, Boozer won a national title, is a 4-time All-Star, and an Olympian. How is he not a star?

Yeah... First time I've heard of anyone hating rose. Very curious.

[amckillip]

Just curious - Why do you hate Derrick Rose?

It has nothing to do with his skills. He's a terrific player. But he cheated to get into school, then when he was there as a 'student athlete' he passed 3 classes. Three classess!!! I just have a real problem with players who cheat to get in to school then abuse the privilege. I actually have a lot of respect for Brandon Jennings in an odd sort of way. I much prefer using the Euro-leagues as a minor league than academic institutions, especially if you have to cheat to get in. But alas, that is off-topic.

Boozer is a borderline star, Noah is definitely not, and we could debate all day, but the 'cut-off' for star is an imaginary line in the sand. For me Boozer is behind, for a Bulls fan (or others) he could be in front. Noah on the other hand...

'Star' Big men to me are Pau Gasol, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnet, Amar'e Stoudamire, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh et. al