Why draft the Euro Finley if you can trade for the real thing?

The Bulls are negotiating with Dallas to acquire Chicago-area native Michael Finley, according to a league source. The Bulls would give up their No. 7 draft pick, Marcus Fizer, Donyell Marshall and another player.

The logic to this deal is simple. Anyone who watched Dallas in the Western Conference playoffs realizes the Mavericks have little chance of reaching the NBA Finals unless they add someone who can score close to the basket. The Bulls can offer two such players - Fizer and Marshall.

Secondly, the Mavs have their eye on athletic French shooting guard Mickael Pietrus with the No. 7 pick, thinking he could be a suitable replacement for the 6-foot-7 Finley.

If the deal is made, the Bulls' starting lineup would include Finley, Jalen Rose, Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler. The 30-year-old Finley grew up in Maywood and helped lead Proviso East to the IHSA Class AA state championship in 1991.

The trade may hinge on Pietrus being available at No. 7. It still seems likely that Georgia Tech freshman Chris Bosh and Polish 7-footer Maciej Lampe will be chosen with the No. 4 and 5 picks, currently owned by Toronto and Miami. But there is speculation that the Los Angeles Clippers may consider Pietrus at No. 6.