speculation, speculation, speculation....its what ESPN Insider uses to fill up column space. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. This article is a pretty interesting analysis of the '00 draft, which is regarded as one of the worst ever. Unfortunately for the Bulls they had 2 top-10 picks, Fizer and Crawford. Crawford however is mentioned as one of the few who should expect long-term deals this year:

Jamal Crawford, G, Bulls Last year's stats: 10.7 ppg, 4.2 apg, 41 percent shooting from the field The skinny: Crawford finally began to break out the last two months of the season, once he began to get some consistent minutes. In March he averaged 15.9 ppg and 6.7 apg on 45 percent shooting. In April he averaged 23 ppg and 6.5 apg on 47 percent shooting. With Jay Williams out this season, Crawford will be running the Bulls. The Bulls would be better off locking him up now. If he has a huge season, they will be paying a lot more money to keep him next summer. A six-year, $42 million deal should be enough to keep him in the fold.

That sounds like a fair deal, and it just goes to show how much money will have to be paid out to Chandler and Curry in the coming years. Luckily for the Bulls, in today's NBA there are fewer guys getting max money.

loyal (only) reader Tim just sent me this email:

I was watching ESPN and that reality show they have were people compete aganist atheletes or whatever the show is. They were at the Bulls practice area and Jay shows up on his motorcycle! And one of the teams lost so they had to walk to Wrigley Field, but this guy went to Duke with Jay so Jay got limo for them. But it showed Jay talking and this was the converstation: Duke Buddy: Cool bike Jay! Jay: Yea thanks, I am not suppose to have it. (while he is sitting on the bike) Then speeds away without a helmet on into the sunset

Wow that's so bizzare. I assume the show he's talking about is "beg, borrow, and deal".

Well theres not much goin on in the NBA, so ESPN Insider decides to go in the wonderful land of make-believe. Below is the first trade suggested in 5 trades they wish would happen:

Antoine Walker to Chicago; Donyell Marshall, Marcus Fizer, Jerome James and Eddie Robinson to Boston; Shareef Abdur-Rahim to Seattle; Vladimir Radmanovic, Brent Barry, Eric Williams and Bulls' No. 1 to Atlanta Why the Bulls should do it: It appears that the Bulls have settled on the three young players they intend on building around -- Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford. Now it's time to think playoffs. The addition of Scottie Pippen this summer was a move in the right direction, but adding Walker to the mix finally propels them into playoffs. In return the Bulls must give up three bench players, which shouldn't be hard to do. They've been trying to dump Robinson's contract all summer and neither Marshall nor Fizer has the talent that Walker does. Walker's ability to handle and pass the ball are perfect in the triangle offense, and spies in Chicago claim that Walker, a Windy City native, is in the best shape of his career after intensive workouts this summer. A front line of Chandler, Walker and Curry will be among the biggest and most versatile in the East. Put them together with Crawford and Jalen Rose and the Bulls should make plenty on noise this season. The downside? The Bulls lose some depth on the bench by dumping Fizer and Crawford. (ed.: i think he meant to say marshall here) Projected Starting Five: PG Jamal Crawford SG Jalen Rose SF Tyson Chandler PF Antoine Walker C Eddy Curry

Needless to say, this trade idea doesn't really do it for me. Mostly because I don't like Antoine Walker at all. Sure supposedly he's slimmed down, but he's still a chucker. Chuckers aint so bad, but the Bulls already have one in Rose. Having 2 guys who love to shoot but not play defense will not work out on this team. Besides, people were worried about shot distribution when they signed Pippen, imagine the problems caused by adding Walker as well? One good part of this deal idead though is that they would rid themselves of the Robinson contract, and Walker's deal is done after this year with a player option for next year. But overall that's way too much to give up for an overrated player.

I tells ya, the Bulls get no respect. Take a look at the first edition of CBSSportsline's NBA power rankings

The Bulls are ranked 23 out of 29 teams. Ahead of them (for some reason) are the Griz, Jazz, Warriors, Knicks, Clippers, Sonics, Raptors, Celtics. I think the Bulls are going to be better than half of those teams before its all decided.