So here's the deal, and to me it makes great sense for both teams: The Bulls' No. 2 pick and a player--probably Michael Sweetney--to Seattle for Ray Allen. Maybe the No. 16 pick, too, if necessary.

That somehow doesn't seem like enough for Allen, a six-time All-Star and probably the NBA's best shooter. But the Sonics, who have said they don't intend to trade Allen, are in financial trouble with a sale or move or both possible.

At 31 next season, Allen may not fit with a team that is playing two young centers, Robert Swift and Johan Petro. Getting Allen's salary of $14.6 million off the books would enable Seattle to re-sign Chris Wilcox and have finances for next summer when Rashard Lewis can opt out of his contract. And with the No. 2 pick, Seattle, with declining attendance, can take local favorite Roy. After missing the playoffs, the Sonics also have their own pick at No. 10. A deal with the Bulls could set Seattle up for years.

And set up the Bulls for now.

With Allen, Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich, the Bulls could claim the league's best backcourt and likely the best shooting. I'd put that perimeter up against Detroit's. Allen figures to have at least three good years left.

The Bulls should have enough money for a free-agent front-court player such as Drew Gooden, Nazr Mohammed or Joel Przybilla. With Luol Deng, Andres Nocioni and Tyson Chandler, that's a good combination of youth and experience and there is no reason that team could not compete to get to the Finals by next season. Why wait?

That might mean Ben has less chances of going elsewhere.

With no link I'm guessing that this is from Sam Smith, master of speculation.

While I find his articles entertaining, what he writes rarely, if ever, comes to fruition, especially when he phrases it like "here's one scenario that could work", which translates into "I'm using that ESPN trade machine to write my article".

They need a big. They have #2. They will get a big. Either Colangelo really does have a hard-on for Bargnani and Chicago gets Aldridge, or Chicago can probably send #16 to Toronto to swap #2 for #1 if they don't like Bargnani (or maybe trade down if O'Bryant is more their speed). Ray Allen certainly isn't needed, unless they move Ben Gordon in some other deal.

Agreed. Their perimeter is fine now and would only be better with someone to contend in the middle. I suppose this deal works but its a waste of Bulls assets IMO.

i'd rather have a 20 year old aldridge than a 31 year old ray allen. call me crazy. but then again, i'd take aldridge over roy 10000000 out of 1000000 times.