Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

Rumor mill: Hinrich for Celtics' Allen

With the Feb. 18 NBA trading deadline fast approaching, expect to hear quite a few rumors involving the Bulls over the next two weeks.

A viable rumor making the rounds Wednesday had the Bulls and Celtics possibly making a deal with Kirk Hinrich and Ray Allen as the principals.

The Celtics would move Allen -- who is making $19.8 million in the final year of his contract -- if they can acquire a player who can crack their rotation this season and someone they'd be interested in keeping around for the next couple of years.

Hinrich would appear to meet those requirements, but the Bulls might have to sweeten the deal by adding forward Tyrus Thomas, who despite his obvious issues would help Boston's frontcourt depth.

A package of Hinrich, Thomas and the expiring contract of Jerome James for Allen and another player would work under the salary cap

Thoughts? I think I'd do it, I'm not as keen as I was a couple of months back on them trading away Thomas but it sheds Hinrich's contract for a better shooter and a big expiring contract then maybe it's a risk worh taking; it leaves them even weaker in the frontcourt though. If they can keep Allen on at a lower salary next year as hinted at, that wouldn't be a terrible idea moving forward. However, I doubt the Celtics would go for it.

[air gordon]

lol screw your predictions, Andrew. the Bulls were embarrassed at home by the Clips. what's worse is Dunleavy, who out-coached VDN in this game, just got fired

Paul Pierce? not sure on that one either. you read that scouting report on Gomes? sounds like the 2nd coming.

so now it takes Tyrus Thomas to get rid of Hinrich? i wouldn't for that. you can't trade tyrus now anyway since Noah's being shut down until the all star break.. at least. i heard that Gibson has to soak his feet in warm water then gets stretched out.. just so he can start walking.

James Johnson should get his break. maybe even Thomas but knowing VDN, he'll start Miller-Deng-Salmons-Hinrich-Rose and just bring Devin Brown off the bench

[Andrew]

what's worse is Dunleavy, who out-coached VDN in this game, just got fired

I didn't even think of that when I saw the news but yeah, that's a miserable thought.

[adv1s5]

what's worse is Dunleavy, who out-coached VDN in this game, just got fired

Didn't Dunleavy resign? I thought Dunleavy only coached the Clips as long as he has because he didn't have anyone to fire him? I know he's still GM.

[Andrew]

It's being called a mutual agreement but it seems likely he was, shall we say, strongly encouraged to resign his position on the sidelines.

[air gordon]

sign me up for the salmons/hinrich/jerome james for Shuttlesworth & filler deal

Rose had a pretty sick dunk last nite vs the hawks

[Andrew]

This one?

phpBB [video]

Awesome stuff.

[Andrew]

Rose just left the game against the Magic with a hip injury and won't be returning. Hope he's alright for the All-Star Weekend festivities.

[Andrew]

Pippen's thoughts on Rose's All-Star selection, being a HOF Finalist

High praise indeed for Rose. I thought he had a good run in the All-Star game, it was nice seeing him finding LeBron for a couple of dunks...if only for an evening.

[air gordon]

If Pip were to make it in the Hall, i can see a MJ like speech coming. Despite all the accolades he got, PIppen was still heavily criticized in the city of Chicago. some deserved, some not. i know there's still some bitterness in Pip and maybe we'll see some of it come out.. perhaps towards Krause

a healthy Rose would have been nice to see. he probably wouldn't get much of a chance to showcase himself anyway with lebron, Wade, Bosh on the team


some kind of trade must happen.. i mean better happen to get rid of at least one of Salmons & Hinrich. maybe something involving Roger Mason, who just recently asked for a trade. the Bulls need definitely need that 3pt shooting

[Andrew]

Yeah, I wonder how that would be received. I would suggest we'll find out though, I can't see him getting snubbed for first ballot.

Wouldn't mind seeing Roger Mason get another run with the Bulls now that he's a more valuable player. Although he did once help me land KG in a Bulls Dynasty. Jalen Rose, Marcus Fizer and Roger Mason for KG in NBA Live 2004, as I've mentioned once or twice before. One of my favourite deals that never would've happened in a million years.

[Valor]

33 point win over the Knicks
Rose was on fire, 29 points and 6 assists on 14-18 shooting, not bad for a guy who's injured

Lets hope that they can finish the season strong like last year

[Andrew]

Great game by Rose, nice to see them thump a team that they should certainly be able to beat at home (and with whom they have a storied rivalry, even if those days are long gone). Hopefully the Knicks won't return the favour in the next game in this home and home series, following up an emphatic and/or impressive win with an ugly loss is a bad habit that the Bulls still haven't quite kicked.

[George7]

Is there any trading rumors about the Bulls?
Trade deadline approaches in a day and bulls need to free cap in order to sign a player in FA this summer

[Alpha_]

Tyrus Thomas for Al Harrington?
Kirk Hinrich to LA?

[NovU]

Tyrus Thomas for Al Harrington?
Kirk Hinrich to LA?

Tyrus Thomas > Al Harrington : I don't think it should happen.

Kirk I think will fit nicely in LAL's system, but it all depends if they're willing to take on his contract. I'd love to see it happen.

[Andrew]

Thomas is supposed to be on his way out, possibly as part of a deal for McGrady.

[Valor]

Seems like Salmons is on his way out

Bulls management has told John Salmons to remain at team hotel as it works to finalize a trade.

Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... z0fq8avLPa

Wonder who it is with, because the last report says that we are not getting McGrady

The Bulls are no longer in the running for Tracy McGrady, according to sources that spoke with Yahoo!

Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... z0fq8mlkDq

[Andrew]

Probably someone who has an expiring contract with dubious abilities to help them the rest of the way. But perhaps I'm being pessimistic.

[air gordon]

the dominoes are starting to fall. Washington cleaned house. Camby traded to the Blazers. supposedly the Bulls pulled out of the Mcgrady dealings. i wonder if it's the Spurs that are taking Salmons (and Tyrus) and there's some odd rumor of the bucks(lol!) wanting him

[benji]

It'd have to be Mason, McDyess and Finley for Salmons and Thomas based on salaries looking at them.

Maybe Bonner instead of McDyess, but I wonder if the Spurs would be as happy with that.

[Dan's Brain]

Salmons to the Bucks for Kurt Thomas (or is it Hakeem Warrick) and Francisco Elson. Nothing on Tyrus yet.

EDIT: And in basketball news, they managed to avoid the collapse against the Knicks, by grabbing the back-to-back win thanks to another great shooting game by Rose, and impressive double-doubles by Gibson and Brad Miller.

Troubling thing about the Salmons trade, is that if the Bulls want to make a realistic playoff run, then Devin Brown may actually have to play a role. The Bulls' reserve backcourt is now Brown, Pargo and Lindsey Hunter. An injury to Hinrich or Rose would torpedo that playoff run.

[air gordon]

i say guaranteeing they have the $ for a max contract to offer is more important then making the playoffs they should contend for a one-and-done spot if Noah can overcome the foot injury

[Valor]

Probably someone who has an expiring contract with dubious abilities to help them the rest of the way. But perhaps I'm being pessimistic.

nope, you were right on the mark Andrew, as expected

Why couldnt they just make a good push at either McGrady or Amare? Another season down the drain now....we wont get past the first round with this roster

[Andrew]

i say guaranteeing they have the $ for a max contract to offer is more important then making the playoffs they should contend for a one-and-done spot if Noah can overcome the foot injury

I think that ideally, they need both; enough cap space to offer a big name an offer they're not going to sneer at and a Playoff appearance to sell said free agent on the idea that they're not too bad as it is, and if they come to town it should mean bigger and better things. So many teams are clearing cap space and of course no one can outbid a team looking to re-sign its own free agent, so with no shortage of sizeable offers (including extensions from their current clubs) I still think it'll be the teams that can meet the financial demands plus offer them the best chance of being competitive that will prevail and land the cream of the free agent crop. I think that's where the Knicks are likely to crash and burn and where a team like Chicago could have a huge advantage, especially if they make the postseason and eke out a couple of victories.

Meanwhile, nice to see them win two straight over the Knicks. It looked like they might get blown out themselves for a little while there.