ESPN Draft Watch writes: “How valuable is Chicago’s No. 1 draft pick? Could it bring the Bulls a superstar … right away?
The Chicago Tribune has reported that the Bulls could attempt to use the first pick in the draft to acquire Dwyane Wade. Wade has heard those rumors, too, telling the Tribune, “I have heard my name being talked about, and I can’t worry about it. There is one thing in this league that you have no control over. If another organization wants you, then you should feel good to be wanted.”
A Heat source on Wednesday laughed at the rumors, saying, “It’s going to be very difficult to rebuild this team around Dwyane if he isn’t here. We aren’t trading Dwyane.”
BUT this is Miami we are talking about here, the very same team that laughed off rumors that Shaquille O’Neal was going to be traded but did so afterwards.
I wonder if the rumors are as insane as they appear. If the Bulls were to offer, say, the No. 1 pick, a couple of young prospects like Joakim Noah and Thabo Sefolosha and a player in the last year of his deal like Drew Gooden, that wouldn’t be a terrible deal for Miami.
The Heat could use the first two picks in the draft on Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley — and then use Shawn Marion (and his expiring contract) as trade bait this summer. In doing so, they would have restocked their roster with young talent and be well under the cap in 2010 to pursue a top free agent.
Considering the Heat won just 15 games this season and are bringing in a young, inexperienced coach like Erik Spoelstra, that may not be a bad way to go.
For the Bulls, it would be a no-brainer. They could really use a veteran star to help bring together this team. If they were to add Wade and then move Ben Gordon in a sign-and-trade this summer, they would immediately be considered favorites to challenge the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons as the top team in the East.
Here are the kickers:
First, I don’t know how you trade a superstar like Wade. He’s just too good. You build around guys like that. I know the Heat love Rose — I do, too. But he’s not Dwyane Wade … not yet, anyway. Many around the league have said they’re concerned about Wade’s ability to stay healthy. But is that concern real enough to trade him now?
Second, Wade is a base-year player, which makes his contract very difficult to trade. If the Heat are going to move him, it probably won’t be until July (after the draft), when his base-year status disappears.
I do think the chatter tells you how highly Rose is rated around the league. And because of that, I expect we’ll hear more trade rumors like this over the coming weeks. While I’m skeptical the Heat would give up Wade, it’s not as farfetched as it sounds.
