A Western Conference general manager was on the phone with a well-known agent a week before the June 28 draft. While the Bulls weren't fond of Miles's cornrows, the Clippers have no qualms about a kid some deemed the draft's top prospect. All was not yet lost. The Clippers agreed on draft day to select Miles and then ship him to the Magic for a package including the No. 10 pick and Iowa State power forward Marcus Fizer, provided Orlando selected Fizer with the fifth choice. That trade collapsed when the Bulls snatched Fizer at No. 4, even though he plays the same position as co-Rookie of the Year Elton Brand.
Miles be in the Western Conference than be playing for their rival.
The same could be true of Michigan point guard Jamal Crawford, the No. 8 pick acquired from the Cavaliers for Chicago's seventh choice, Texas center Chris Mihm, as part of a prearranged deal. In the second round the Bulls stockpiled point guards A.J. Guyton and Khalid El-Amin, which may provide them with flexibility if they ship Crawford. Apparently the Bulls didn't want Miles badly enough to do what was necessary to move up. Their interview with Miles did not go well. He complained that Chicago questioned his intelligence.