Decision Time for Paxson: Who Leaves?

Now that the no-drama of the number one pick is behind him, Bulls GM John Paxson has a pretty big problem on his hands: he's overloaded at two positions.

He has a wealth of power forwards, but unfortunately, none are the "bruising in the post" sort.

Noah will not give you more than 10 points a game on average, and he's been forced to play center, being the taller of the forwards. Noah simply doesn't have the strength to consistently play against true centers. Don't ask me why the only actual center on the team, Quinn Gray, doesn't see more playing time.

As far as Tyrus Thomas goes, there's no telling what he'll bring on a nightly basis. Some nights he's the most dominant player on the floor, but most games he simply goes through the motions. He was all potential when the Bulls traded Lamarcus Aldridge for him in the 2006 draft, and he's still potential, while Aldridge has flourished in Portland.

Drew Gooden is the most reliable of the trio, averaging a solid 14 and 9 last season with the Bulls. In reality, when he's on his game, he can be a 20 and 10 guy, which is a commodity in this league. Unfortunately, that might make him ripe for a trade in an off-season where the Bulls need to get a major scorer back in any deal they make. This writer, however, sees no point in trading a scorer so you can get another scorer.

Most likely to get traded: Tyrus Thomas. Joakim just got here and brings the energy, and Gooden scores and rebounds like it's his job. Thomas' freak athletic ability has not been enough to translate into consistency on the floor. He needs to be part of any deal that would involve the Bulls receiving a low-post scorer.

The real problem for Paxson, is sitting at the two, as in shooting guard. He only has two real point guards, in the freshly drafted Derrick Rose and the surely leaving in free agency Chris Duhon. The rest of the lot are probably more in the realm of supposed scorers, but they're too inconsistent to avoid being on this list.

Kirk Heinrich has been a hard-working Bull during his tenure. He can make sloppy turnovers and get into rough shooting slumps, but so can a load of two's in this league. To his credit, he plays a bit taller than his 6'3" height would suggest. He has been a defensive strength for this team, but that typically coincides with his non-scoring nights. His role has never been really defined, and I'm pretty sure he's not talented enough to be the best scorer, the point guard, all while defending the best opposing guards in the league. Not many are.

Ben Gordon has the opposing qualities. He's a consistent scorer, but he is a defensive liability against other, bigger shooting guards, as he plays smaller than his 6'3" measurements. He also doesn't contribute the same energy starting as he does off the bench, but wants to be paid like a starter in this off-season. Ben Gordon is a conundrum wrapped in irony.

Larry Hughes is awful. I don't want him anywhere near Derrick Rose, as I'm concerned Hughes has something communicable. He simply jacks up mind-numbingly bad shots and doesn't play anything better than mediocre defense. Unfortunately, he's making a similarly mind-numbing twelve million dollars a season, which makes his contract nigh-untradeaBull.

Thabo Sefalosha apparently plays defense. We should hope he does, as he hasn't shown us he can do much else on the court.

Most likely to be traded: Heinrich straight up or Gordon in a sign-and-trade. Both are oddities at their position, Heinrich having too many responsibilities to perform them all effectively and Gordon being a vastly undersized yet consistent scorer. They're also going to be making about the same amount of insane money whenever Gordon gets a contract somewhere near what he's asking. The only quality expendable assets the Bulls have at guard, expect one or both of them to be traded in this off-season.

John Paxson better hope another team decides they like somebody on the Bulls' roster enough to deal. 'Cause I don't.