The Arizona Republic wrote late Sunday of a rumor that involved the Suns getting Deng, Tim Thomas and another player for O’Neal.

The Bulls would be able to make a little noise in the East with O’Neal in the paint, while also freeing up cap room for 2010.

With Salmons on the payroll, I can’t imagine a better scenario than this for the Bulls.  The Bulls would be able to unload Deng’s enormous contract and take another expiring deal for 2010.  Dwayne Wade?  Chris Bosh?  All are affordable in 2010 without this deal, but the Bulls could go out and get a big name and add other pieces if they got the flexibility that would come with Shaq’s contract.  Or maybe even resign Gordon.

Unless of course, Gordon leaves (which seems likely).  In fact, according to Ben Gordon, he has a standing offer of $11 million on the table from the Pistons:

I haven’t heard they are, and General Manager Gar Forman has not come off his stance that he wants to bring Gordon back. But I also heard that Gordon’s agent allegedly has been saying he has an $11 million promise from the Pistons.

If Gordon leaves and the Shaq trade miraculously materializes, the Bulls lineup would then presumably look something like this:

PG: Rose

SG: Hinrich

SF: Salmons

PF: Tyrus

C: Shaq

Bench: Noah, Miller, Gordon(?)

Not bad for 2009-2010, and then after that, the possibilities are endless.  Are any of these rumors going to come true?