Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

Right now I don't see anyone being traded unless internal conflict arises or a good deal comes along. I'd rather Paxson played it that way than being a wheel-and-deal style GM a la Isiah Thomas.

[Fenix]

True, but a trade could be made for salary cap reasons, to pick one of the guys from the next year's FA crop. If a trade for a veteran star isn't made, then that will happen for sure, this summer or somewhere until the All-Star break. There are simply to many 'ifs' - a change won't be made IF #2 shows star potential and contribution in his first season and IF the backcourt works fine and everyone stays happy and - of course - IF Tyson starts playing like he should be.

[Andrew]

They're going to have a lot of cap space regardless though. If they don't make any major signings this year they'll still have the cash to wave around next year.

[Fenix]

I don't know about that. Won't Hinrich's extension start counting against the cap?

[Andrew]

I'm not aware of the details of his extension but I'm pretty sure it's not close to being $15-20 million per year, which is how much space they're expected to have come this offseason. I'm assuming even with a couple of small signings and his extension kicking in there's going to be a big chunk of that left.

[Fenix]

Well, let's say it's 20 million - Hinrich signs a deal starting at 9 million per year, a player is signed for something like MLE (5 million) and next years draft pick costs let's say 2 million. Not to mention that Nocioni has to be resigned. That leaves Bulls with very little to nothing room to sign a superstar. Those are guys who demand shitload (12+ million) of money.

[Andrew]

That's true, Nocioni's free agency does pose some problems there, I'd forgotten about that...although, Sweetney's contract is up in 2007 and Gordon, Deng and Duhon are signed until 2008. There could be some wiggle room there, though if you're looking at high profile free agents in 2007 you're looking at players who are likely to re-sign or sign extensions before then (LeBron, Carmelo, Bosh, Wade).

Either way the Bulls will have a tough time getting a superstar. If there's no one who would be a good fit this year, no point wasting cap space that will still be there next year on a player who's good but they weren't aiming for in the first place (like the Ron Mercer signing back in 2000).

[air gordon]

i'm going along with Andrew and Fenix here, Indy....

Fenix is right- contract extensions will be coming up for their "young guys" starting with Hinrich & Noce next year then Deng & Gordon the following year.

if there's a time to start using their cap, it's this offseason. i think Sweetney will be traded because of his expiring contract and possibly Duhon if Paxson brings in a legit sized SG. I don't think Duhon's value can be any higher (but he can't be traded until August)

i think he is/will be checking other teams interest in Chandler as usual- he is the last holdover from the Krumbs krause era

[Fenix]

It looks like we're getting measurements in a matter of hours via NbaDraft.net. That should answer a lot of questions for us - has Thomas legit PF size or is more of a Hakeem Warrick, which guards are actually 'big', is Aldridge 7 feet tall (w/shoes)...

Edit: no measurements yet (:evil:), but some interesting tidbits: in DraftExpress' interview, Thomas once again said that he'd rather play SF, although he also confirmed that he's willing to play PF, if that is what his team will demand. I just don't get the logic behind all this bullshit - is he killing his draft stock on purpose? He also reportedly got tested off the charts athletically (and so did Gay), but that's something we all knew he would. If his measurements are bad and he continues giving us this horseshit, I'll start rooting for Aldridge.

Aldridge is 6'11 in shoes, Shelden Williams a legit 6'9. Would Toronto be interested in #1 and #35 for #2 and #16? Bulls would get Aldridge and someone like Bobby Jones, a swingman who's speciality is perimeter defense and can score in transition with his decent athleticism. That fits in quite nicely with what Bulls are trying to build.

[air gordon]

the draft article had Shelden Williams quoted as saying 6'7 1/2 without shoes

He also reportedly got tested off the charts athletically (and so did Gay)

where did you see this?

I didn't like so much Thomas comments about playing SF (yet again) either. In another thread i mentioned that Toronto should draft Thomas. I'm starting to think that it could really happen.

Toronto is bringing him in for 3rd workout
Colangelo has said he wants to have a PHX style offense
TT's rebounding and defense compliments Bosh/CV offense
Toronto could find a backup type center via FA

anywho- i'm a little concerned with some of Aldridge's comments about not putting on weight. He mentions Garnett doesn't bulk up but Garnett is an athletic freak of nature

but i was pleased to read that he has a skyhook in his repetoire.

[Fenix]

Yeah, you're right. TT would fit in nicely with Bosh and CV, in fact, a lot of Thomas' confidence could be because of the fact that he believes he's going no.1.

But earlier, during individual testing, Thomas was said to be off the charts with enthusiasm and athleticism.

"He's a crazy athlete," Connecticut's Rudy Gay said. "He can do so many things."

This no doubt will impress the Bulls, who are considering selecting Thomas with the No. 2 pick.

Thomas, a 6-foot-9-inch power forward from LSU, and Gay, a 6-9 small forward, were striking with their running vertical leap, players said.

"They really impressed everybody," Ronnie Brewer of Arkansas said.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-060610draftthomas,1,4541868.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

[Zee]

This trade is most likely not going to happen, but which team does it benefit more?

[Fenix]

You mean Odom&Mihm for #2, Gordon, Chandler and Songaila/Sweetney/Harrington? If that trade took place (with Harrington being the fourth piece of the deal), I'd say it would quite even at the begining, with a strong possibility of Lakers having an edge when everything is said and done. Odom was on his way to the All-Star game when he played in Miami, and the only thing keeping him from achieving that status in LA is Kobe. Bulls would put him back to the PF position which suits him best, IMO. Bulls have versatile and strong SFs in Nocioni in Deng and those two would allow interchangeability of both forward spots. And addition of Mihm would fill a huge hole at the C, but they'd be creating another one in the backcourt. But then again - Mihm is as good of a centre as anyone Bulls could get in the FA (OK, I'm forgetting Ben Wallace) and Odom would certainly bring height, length and athleticism at the PF spot. But what would be the price for this? Basically Ben Gordon (a guard with Gilbert Arenas-type of ceiling), Tyson Chandler (a young defensive big, albeit overpaid) and #2 pick which means a strong chance of getting a All-Star player down the road. As much as I love Odom's game, Bulls could get much, much more for that type of a package. In fact, that same deal was mentione in the rumoured KG deal and I think that's too much even for getting a player like him in return (at least at this point of his career).

[STAT]

where is michael jordan's son playing?

[Fenix]

Wilmette Loyola High School. He's not going to play in the pros, if that's what you meant. Actually, it's even questionable if he's ever going to play for a Division I school.

[air gordon]

thanks, fenix. forgot to check the sunday paper hehe...

Sam Smith put out out his weekly trade scenario(s) article. i'll just leave it at that. McGraw from the daily herald had a good one...

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/beatw ... umn=mcgraw

some highlights...

Whom they’ll pick with the No. 2 pick in the June 28 NBA draft remains a three-man race between LSU power forward Tyrus Thomas, Washington guard Brandon Roy and Texas center LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge and Thomas have said they will not compete against other players.

If the Bulls keep the pick, it’s basically Thomas’ spot to lose. Roy, a 6-foot-6 combo guard, could be the safer choice, since he spent four years in college and should be ready to make an impact right away.

The 6-11 Aldridge has the potential to be an effective post scorer. But the Bulls surely have watched the NBA playoffs and noted that three of the final four teams — Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix — don’t have much in the way of interior offense.

i found it interesting there was no mention of Bargani. maybe a smokescreen by Paxson? hehe who knows



it's too bad Aldridge and Thomas won't be going against each other in a workout. i can understand how both players want to protect their draft stock or whatever. IMO- other then injury risk, it isn't a gamble for either player. either way, both players will probably still be drafted in the top 5

2 years back- Gordon had a workout against Devin harris. it was reported that Gordon embarrassed Harris. Perhaps that was the clincher for Paxson to nab Gordon at #3 but that didn't stop Dallas from picking Harris only 2 spots later

at least Roy is going against competition in his workout

[Fenix]

thanks, fenix. forgot to check the sunday paper hehe...

I read somewhere (not sure where) that they both cleared the 12'3'' mark.

And I don't know what to think about Thomas anymore? Is he just misinformed and confused? Or just another headcase? I mean, in the interviews he seems a Mike James clone. Is he telling people that he's a SF because Toronto needs one (at least more than a PF)? If he's actually convinced he can play on the perimeter, why doesn't he want to show teams those skill in competive situations?

WHAT THE HELL IS WITH THOSE MEASUREMENTS? Nbadraft said they'll have it in Saturday. It's Monday now and still no measurements to be find. I swear I'll break someone's bones if I don't have my fix of wingspans, heights, standing reaches and weights till tomorrow afternoon.

Sam Smith should get shot in the forehead as many times as it is possible.

[air gordon]

i'm a little confused with Thomas and his comments. my guess is that he wants to be the #1 pick and is pretty defensive about being labeled just a dunker

he's working out for the bulls this week so Paxson gets to see this guy (and aldridge & Roy this week)

it's possible that the Bulls will go with Roy. there aren't many enticing SG options via free agency but many PF's so Paxson fills his need for a SG by drafting the 'most ready NBA player/currently best player in the draft'. he then uses the ~$15 mil in cap to address the big man need (and maybe drafts a big @16). maybe even the Bulls trade down to #4 with Portland. Toronto and the Bobs don't seem interested in Roy so it's possible Roy would still be available (assuming the Blazers aren't interested in Roy lol) at pick #4.

the Blazers seem like a mess so i'm not even sure what players would interest Pax/Skiles

there's an element of rolling the dice here- by drafting Roy, we would be assuming Paxson can land an impact big man via trade/Free agency. would someone like Gooden, Wilcox, Nene, al Harrington, etc want to come to the bulls if the bulls picked someone like Aldridge or Tyrus Thomas as opposed to a SG like Roy??

just figured i'd throw it out there...

[Fenix]

Measurements. Thomas is 6'7@215 pounds. Very encouraging.

[J@3]

Why is that encouraging? 6'7 is pretty bad for a PF.

[Fenix]

I was being sarcastic. At least Roy is a legit 6'6, Brewer 6'7 and Aldridge 6'11.

[J@3]

Ah I thought you might be. Maybe he'll have to play SF

[Fenix]

Yeah, that's where all the talk about him being SF came from . Let we go through the facts - 6'7, 215 pounds, showed only glimpses of ballhandling abilities and hit a jumpshot or two from 12' feet or so and yet he doesn't feel urge to prove the doubters wrong. Combine this with his Mike James-ish interviews and I bet teams in the top 5 are just crazy about him. Sure, he has a good motor, but I'd rather have Adam Morrison playing SF that a underdeveloped project.

Bulls will pick Aldridge or Roy.

[Andrew]

Both would seem a better fit than Thomas is shaping up to be. Interestingly, NBADraft.net still asserts he'd be the best choice.

[air gordon]

of course Thomas size/weight measurements are disappointing but where are the standing reach/wingspan and agility/strength tests? that's what i'm more interested in

i don't think Thomas size will deter Paxson just yet- he did pick Gordon knowing very well he could end up being an undersized SG... but with great agility and long arms

my guess is that Paxson will say Thomas had a great workout/he's very interested in drafting him... regardless how it goes.. if anything just to keep the pick's trade value high

we'll just have to wait and see how the private workouts went. still around 2 more weeks until the draft...

Brewer's, Roy's and Aldridge's measurements...

even shithead reddick was a legit 6'4.. what a surprise

i think Augustine wears platform or something. he had a the biggest height adjustment after putting on the shoes