Dan McNeil/Times Columnist

John Paxson is in a trick bag. The player he covets most, Pau Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies, is going to cost the Bulls' general manager one of his more valued young assets, either Luol Deng or Ben Gordon.

But if Grizzlies G.M. Jerry West is going to part with Gasol, Paxson also will have to sweeten the pot by including either a draft pick or the hard-nosed Andres Nocioni. Or both.

Tough call for Pax, especially since Deng and Gordon were his finds and he practically drools when he extols the virtues of Deng, who is only 21.

I say move Gordon.

Gasol would erase the Bulls' most glaring weakness, an inside offensive presence. He can play in the low post, commanding the double team, and make life easier for perimeter players Kirk Hinrich and the erratic Chris Duhon.

Gordon has been the club's best threat and the only guy who seems willing to close a game. His judgment, however, has been poor at times and he doesn't seem to be learning.

Gordon, at least twice this year, has afforded possessions to the opponent by going to the bucket with ample time remaining on both the shot clock and the game clock. Tuesday night against Toronto, he gave the Bulls a lead with a layup and subsequent free throw.

But he left 12 seconds in the game for the Raptors to give Chris Bosh another chance to win. And they did.

Gordon doesn't guard anybody. Deng does. Ben Wallace, who's paid a lot of money to be a one-way player, doesn't see the floor in crunch time. Deng and Hinrich are good enough defensively to keep the Bulls in every game.

Deng's arrow is pointing up. He can penetrate and explode to the basket.

Put Gasol and Deng together on the floor and Paxson will need a cup for his spittle.

Other musings:

I think Cubs pitcher Scott Eyre stumbled upon Glendon Rusch's hiding place for the Twinkies.

Can't make up my mind which extra session was a worse idea: shootouts following a five-minute overtime in an NHL game or not affording both teams a possession in the NFL's sudden death format.

Rumor is several Cubs have placed bets on when new skipper Lou Piniella blows a gasket and rips out a base, rubs whiskers with an umpire or tips over a post-game spread in the clubhouse. I'm certain many Cubs enthusiasts are eager to experience a trademark Piniella tirade as well.

How did temporary insanity work for Ozzie Guillen last season?

Highland's Dan McNeil hosts ESPN 1000 Radio's afternoon show weekdays at 3 p.m. His column appears in The Times every Friday.