It isn't Rashard Lewis or Nick Collison, but Chris Wilcox that could be offered in trade

SEATTLE - The Seattle SuperSonics landed the second pick overall, not news to you. The obvious pick is youngster Kevin Derrant. Right from the start the speculation started with the future plans of Rashard Lewis, the sonics are in less of a bind should he leave. Yesterday there was speculation in a Chicago newspaper, the Chicago Tribune, that the Bulls may want to go after Nick Collison.

Still, it's a safe bet Paxson will inquire on longtime Bulls favorite Nick Collison's availability now that the Sonics jumped to No. 2 and will land either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant.

Packaging the No. 9 pick with players whose contracts expire after the 2007-08 season, such as Chris Duhon and Viktor Khryapa or both, could be attractive to teams looking to trim payroll.
By K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune

That's a good idea for the Bulls, too bad it isn't Nick Collison, but Chris Wilcox that could be offered in trade. Lenny Wilkins insists that the Sonics want to resign Lewis. I think that's true. Rashard is entering his prime, no point in giving talent away, or letting it walk.

If there is a player that plays a front court position that could be expendable it isn't Lewis because Kevin Derrant and Rashard Lewis do not have the same playing styles. Kevin Derrant is 19 years old, 225 pounds. Tell me that when he starts the professional sports weight training program that he's not going to gain 10 to 15 pounds of muscle, and I'll point you toward young Robert Swift as an example of how a youngster can put on muscle in a hurry. Kevin Derrant may literally grow into the power forward position. That position and roll of dynamic scorer is currently occupied by Chris Wilcox.

Lewis, Durrant, and Wilcox share something in common, their playing styles are not a duplication of how Nick Collison plays, but a compliment to the team enhancing style Collison plays. No way the trade Collison, Wilcox on the other hand has two years left on his deal, and will give up some playing time and shots to Durrant before those two years are up.

Wilcox's future with the Sonics may have a limit now, it's best that the Sonics make the most of the last few months of productive play, and trade Wilcox on draft day.

One more thing, the Atlanta Hawks getting the 3rd pick made me happy, not for the Hawks, but for the Sonics because that kept a lottery pick out of the Sun's hands.