Bucks pick up Salmons, more on the way?

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/64805/20100217/bulls_send_salmons_to_milwaukee_for_cap_relief/

Hollinger likes the trade for the Bucks:

Bucks: A solid move here by the Bucks to take on Salmons, since they're one of the few teams targeting 2011 for free-agent dollars rather than 2010. Salmons could conceivably opt out of the $5.8 million he's owed next year, but in the current market and with his current production, it seems highly unlikely.

Thomas and Francisco Elson weren't playing, so this deal costs the Bucks nothing of value. Meanwhile adding Salmons gives the Bucks a wing scorer that they've sorely needed ever since Michael Redd went out. He's a decent defender too, which should allow the Bucks to maintain their trademark feistiness while getting much more production than the likes of Charlie Bell could deliver.

Combined with a favorable late-season schedule and the fact that the trade strips Chicago of a key weapon, this deal positions the Bucks to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006. And with $12 million in expiring contracts waiting in reserve (Luke Ridnour, Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander), the Bucks may not be done dealing yet. Grade: B

I agree with the analysis. I'm not sure that I especially like Salmons, but he is certainly more productive than Thomas and Elson were. But what if the Bulls are able to parlay this savings into Dwayne Wade, LeBron stays in Cleveland, and the Bucks are perpetually stuck in 3rd in the Central? I like this trade for the Bucks, but future ramifications are dicey. Now go get Murphy for expirings, and the Bucks will be in business.