Bulls Reject Nets Trade Offer but Should Consider Collins

According to the Newark Star-Ledger,

The Nets recently called Chicago to inquire about P.J. Brown, who has been upset with his lack of playing time lately. The phone call was short, however, because the Bulls weren't interested in taking back what the Nets had to offer (Jason Collins, Jeff McInnis).

Now, I'd reject any trade offer involving Jeff McInnis... period. There's a good reason why he's been on six teams in 10 seasons; he's supposedly a cancer in the locker room. But the Jason Collins option is interesting. Though he's very Greg Kite on offense, his size and defensive skills would be much needed in the post-season.

It's a given that the Bulls will ship P.J. Brown by the trade deadline. He's too old to provide the defensive intensity that Coach Skiles needs. Plus the expiring $8 million contract will draw a lot of attention as the trade deadline approaches. Unless the Bulls can grab a player with good low-post skills, they need to trade for size.

Miami is still the team to beat once Shaq returns from his ~~fake~~ knee injury and you can't expect Big Ben to go at it alone in a seven game series. (His body broke down the last two times he faced the O'Neal.) Chicago's going to need as many bigs as possible to match-up with Miami's frontline and the 7-0, 255 lbs. Collins could give the Bulls the much-needed 10-15 minutes off the bench.

The only problem is that with Brown's $8 million contract, New Jersey has to find $1.2 million to send with Collins to make the contact dollars balance.

Would New Jersey go for Eddie House and Jason Collins for P.J. Brown? The draw of a big expiring contract should convince the Nets to give up House and the Bulls get the much needed size.