Originally posted on Bleacher Report - June 3, 2008

About two months ago on my FOX Sports blog, I suggested that the Miami should entertain a trade scenario with the Bulls that would send Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion to Chicago. Of course I was ripped to shreds by many readers for even insinuating such blashphemy.

Now, several news outlets have reported that the Bulls are not only open to trading their #1 draft pick to the Heat for Wade, but they have already made the proposal public knowledge (unofficially of course).

Wade's response to the rumors: "This is a business, any thing can happen and we as players have no control over that type of thing".

Hmmmm.

Couple that with the fact that the Heat superstar has already given his stamp of approval for new Bulls skipper Doug Colins and I say the writing is already on the wall.

While many casual NBA fans can't seem to fathom the Heat trading the guard, who many thought would be the cornerstone of Miami's franchise for years to come, not only does it make sense to me, but any such trade could, and should, be beneficial for both teams in their efforts to reclaim repsectability and move back into the realm of playoff contenders.

The trade scenario I proposed was as follows:

Chicago gets: Wade, Marion and the Heat's #2 pick.

Miami gets: Gordon, Deng, Duhon, Thebolosha, Gooden and Chicago's #1 pick.

Don't get it?

Let me explain.

The Bulls are faced with the fact that both Gordon and Deng decided not to sign contract extensions last season and the team eventually tuned out former coach Scott Skiles.

When Wade and LeBron James signed their extensions two seasons ago, both made it a point to not include the extra year that fellow 2003 draftee Carmelo Anthony signed to explicitly to be in a position to test the free agent market in five years instead of six.

I think most people in the know are already resigned to the fact that in two seasons King James will be joining his pal Jay Z in the new Brooklyn arena (sporting the new Rocawear uniforms no less). So where would Wade be trying to get to? Why home to Chicago of course.

Why should the Heat wait two uneventful seasons to begin shopping Wade and lose leverage in any trade discussions?

Wade is scheduled to be playing for his third coach in four seasons with the Heat, who mortgaged their immediate future with the Shaquille O'Neal trade, and now that Shaq has bailed out on them, there are no titles in sight. Especially with Boston vaulting to the top of the pecking order in the Eastern Conference.

Much like the Pau Gasol trade spurred a flurry of hasty trade moves by other Western Conference teams to keep pace with the Lakers, teams in the East must now figure out a way to join the Celtics and Pistons in the hunt for a trip the NBA Finals.

Even if the Heat stayed pat, drafted Beasley and re-signed Marion, the rest of their roster doesn't have enough parts to challenge the top dogs in their conference.

if Chicago were to sign Gordon and Deng with the intent of trading them to Miami, both teams would then have enough pieces to crack the upper tier of the Eastern Conference.

The Cavs are a flawed team, the Wizards are about to spiral out of control, especially if Arenas bolts this summer and Orlando still hasn't shown the kind of moxie to actually challenge for the Eastern Conference crown.

The trade I proposed would give the Bulls a starting lineup of:

Hinrich - Wade - Bealey - Marion - Thomas and a bench of Noah, Nocioni and Hughes.

The Heat could start:

Rose - Gordon - Deng - Haslem - Blount and a bench of Davis, Duhon, Gooden, Cook and possible Mourning.

Each team would field much better teams than they would if they stayed pat.

Many times as fans, we fail to see our teams with the big picture in mind, choosing rather to hold on to our favorites in the hopes of some miraculous resurrection by a star player, like Minnesota holding on to Garnett for two season's too long, when THEY could've gotten Gordon, Deng and Tyrus Thomas for KG.

Or when the Bulls could've gotten Pau Gasol for Gordon and Deng at the start of last season.

Maybe the Bulls have learned from the mistake of being trigger shy and as we've already seen, Pat Riley understands the business of the league as well as anyone.

Neither team should force their new coaches to come in and not only have to coach disgruntled players, but figure out how to keep peace in the locker rooms. Give the new coaches a fresh start and if this trade goes down any shape form or fashion, new hope as well.