Oakley traded back to the Bulls . . .

[CeltsSteve@AOL.com]

for Brian Skinner. It makes sense for both clubs. Toronto gains cap space not to mention a rugged, young guy in Skinner who has been injury plagued but with his long arms plays bigger than 6'9", is a pretty effective shot blocker, and has a sculpted physique that allows him to mix it up inside. Oakley gives the Bulls a vet to mentor the two HS kids and to play along side of Eddie Robinson.


OAKLEY TRADED TO BULLS 
 
By PETER VECSEY and EVAN GROSSMAN 
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July 13, 2001 -- EXCLUSIVE 
Charles Oakley is returning to the Windy City. 

Sources close to Oakley have told The Post that the Raptors power forward has been dealt back to the Bulls for Brian Skinner, a move expected to be announced as early as today. 

Oakley, tired of playing with Vince Carter and for Lenny Wilkens, was slated to make $6 million this year - versus $1.5 that Skinner makes. He averaged 9.6 ppg and 9.5 rpg for Toronto last season, just below his career averages of 10.3 points and 10.0 rebounds. 

The move makes financial sense for Toronto, looking to show big money to free-agents Alvin and Jerome Williams before they sit down with Vince Carter at season's end. Losing Oakley gives them some extra cash to play with after they signed Antonio Davis to a fat, $60 million deal over five years earlier this week. 

In Chicago, is appears that Oakley will be playing opposite Eddie Robinson from the Hornets, who was promised the starting small forward job along with a deal reported to be done and worth $30 million over five years. 

Oakley played his first three seasons in Chicago before being traded to the Knicks in 1988 for Bill Cartwright and an exchange of draft picks. The 37-year-old had demanded a trade and wanted to wind up in Washington, but Michael Jordan, his former Bulls teammate, couldn't work out a deal. 

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