Bulls get Miller, Salmons from Kings

[February 19, 2009]  NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The Chicago Bulls acquired center Brad Miller and John Salmons from the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday for four players, including forwards Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni.

Sacramento also got Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons in the deal, but immediately traded Ruffin to the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Ike Diogu and cash. The Kings then waived guard Quincy Douby and veteran Sam Cassell, acquired on Tuesday from Boston, to make room for their new players.

The Bulls gave up some salary flexibility to acquire Miller, a two-time All-Star who played 105 games with the Bulls early in his career. Although he hasn't played since Jan. 30 because of a hip injury, Miller -- who's averaging 11.9 points and 8.0 rebounds -- showed flashes of his best game earlier in the season.

Salmons, a versatile swingman and Sacramento's second-leading scorer with 18.3 points, also could be a prominent contributor in Chicago. The disappointing Bulls apparently are still committed to chasing a playoff berth despite starting the day seven games below .500.

"You always hate to lose good guys and good players, and that's difficult, but we're adding two guys that we like a lot," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said before the team's game at Milwaukee. "I think we're adding two really good pieces that we're excited about, and hopefully we can get them here soon and get them acclimated as soon as possible."

The trade clears more than $13 million in salary cap room next season for the Kings, the NBA's worst team. Among the four players acquired by the Kings, only Nocioni has a contract that stretches into next season.

In the midst of a thorough franchise upheaval, the Kings didn't hesitate to part with Miller, their longest-tenured player and one of the few links left to Sacramento's run of eight straight playoff berths earlier in the decade. The 32-year-old Miller joined the Kings in 2003 and spent 5 1/2 years as their starting center when he wasn't slowed by injuries.

"I'm definitely excited for the opportunity to go home and go to a team that I've already played for," said Miller, an Indiana native. "I have a lot of friends and family back there. The Bulls are right on the verge of getting into the playoffs, and winning is something very important to me right now."

Although Miller provides a combination of defensive size and outside shooting ability, the Bulls might get an even bigger lift from Salmons, who's having a quietly outstanding year with 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in addition to his steady scoring.

The Bulls didn't learn they had lost four teammates until the team bus pulled away from Chicago for the short trip to Milwaukee. While forward Luol Deng seemed dismayed by the trade of Nocioni, his good friend, other Bulls were excited by the move, with Ben Gordon saying it shows the franchise's commitment to a playoff run.

"I like him a lot," Gordon said. "He's a great passer, has a great feel for the game, and I think he can make it a lot easier for guys."

Nocioni, the two-time Argentine Olympian, averaged 10.4 points and 4.2 rebounds for the Bulls this season. He has three years and $21 million left on his deal.

Sacramento might be interested in re-signing Gooden, a Northern California native who has been pursued by the club several times in recent years. He's averaging 13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds, but hasn't played since Jan. 19 because of a groin injury.

Kings interim coach Kenny Natt was excited to land Gooden after they worked together in Cleveland earlier in their careers.

"We grew as a team, and it was a very similar situation to this," Natt said. "We both know what it's like to struggle. He's a versatile guy at the (power forward) spot. He can score in the post, score on the perimeter and pass the ball. He's a legitimate double-double guy."

The Kings returned from the All-Star break with a home game against Atlanta on Wednesday night.

Portland moved Diogu, an underachieving power forward, to acquire Ruffin, who hasn't played this season while recovering from a sprained left ankle and an Achilles' tendon injury. Ruffin practiced with the Bulls last week, however.

The Blazers also gained a $3 million trade exception to be used within the year.

Diogu, who joins his fourth NBA team, has barely played since the Blazers acquired him in a trade with Indiana last summer.

[Associated Press; By GREG BEACHAM]

AP Sports Writers Chris Jenkins in Milwaukee and Anne M. Peterson in Portland, Ore., contributed to this report.

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