This is probably another rumor “leaked” by the Portland Trailblazers.
Apparently they really like the strategy of “leaking” rumors to gauge the interest of fans, commentators, and/or other teams to the principles of certain signings or trades.
The principles of this trade involve Utah sending Carlos Boozer to the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Bulls sending Kirk Hinrich to Portland and Tyrus Thomas to Utah. Portland can absorb some (but not all) of the Hinrich contract because they are below the cap, so what they would send to Utah or Chicago in return is unclear.
Because it’s fun, lets examine this trade to see if it makes sense.
Chicago Bulls get Boozer for Hinrich and Thomas. The fact that Boozer will be playing alongside a defensive-minded center would help alleviate the deficiency that Boozer has in his defensive game. Obviously the Bulls are trading an expendable point guard away, and are otherwise swapping Boozer, a 20-10 power forward, for Thomas, who has yet to be as impressive as a lot of people thought he would be. Of course, having Boozer for only one year doesn’t make a whole lot of sense unless they plan on re-signing him. Having him traded to them should make it easier to have his services for a long time. (They could probably get rid of Hinrich to Portland anyway, and Thomas isn’t all that expensive to keep on the roster.)
Utah Jazz get Tyrus Thomas for Carlos Boozer. Getting a defensive-minded power forward to play along with Mehmet Okur (who just signed a two year extension) makes a lot of sense. Add to that the fact that Utah would be taking back a lot less money in the deal and it makes even more sense. Less money would make it easier to sign Paul Millsap, would prevent Portland from even offering him a contract, and would give the Utah Jazz a nice sized trade exception.
Some people already argue the Boozer doesn’t fit well with the other players in the locker room, and if that’s true, trading Boozer for absolutely nothing would also have been an improvement. If that is indeed true, which I’m not so sure I believe, it would make even more sense for the Jazz to make the trade, even if Tyrus Thomas isn’t as good offensively as Carlos Boozer.
Portland gets Kirk Hinrich. Although Portland would have to give something away (Travis Outlaw, Steve Blake, or Martell Webster) in this trade, it certainly wouldn’t be a crucial piece. Portland would get a top-notch point guard to play alongside Brandon Roy. The only way this would hurt Portland is that it would move the team well into the luxury tax with the signing of extensions to Roy and Aldridge in the upcoming months. If Paul Allen can afford to pay a lot of luxury tax, then it really doesn’t hurt Portland at all.
If the Portland player were being moved to Utah, Utah would probably prefer Steve Blake (to be their second string point guard) or Travis Outlaw (less money, good defense), most likely Outlaw.
If the player were going to Chicago, it would most likely be Martell Webster or Travis Outlaw.
Conclusion
Either way, it seems like a good deal (or potentially good deal) to all of the teams involved.