Chicago Bulls Thread

[Bodz]

Gordon Denies Detroit Rumors

"You can't even negotiate until July 1, so that's just rumors," said Gordon. "I really don't know what's going to happen."

[Andrew]

Guess we'll find out soon enough. Supposedly re-signing Gordon is the top priority this offseason so it remains to be seen what kind of offer they'll make and what kind of overtures will be made by other teams.

[Bodz]

Just sidetracking a bit Andrew, will you still an "unabashed Gordon supporter" should he bolt for other teams?

[Andrew]

Interesting question. Perhaps not to the same extent, I'd probably start favouring Derrick Rose a little more (and I'm certainly a fan of Rose as it is) but I'd still like to see him do well and would like to think I'd avoid becoming one of those fans who subscribes to the "He's on another team, so he automatically sucks now" line of thinking. That said I mightn't follow him as closely - it was a bit different when Michael Jordan played those two seasons for the Wizards (but even then I was still following the Bulls and wanting them to succeed) - but I'd still be a fan of him as one of my favourite non-Bulls, much as there are other players in the league that I like watching and want to see succeed...just not at the Bulls' expense.

[air gordon]

He is one of the top guards in free agency but is there a market for him?
Teams with cap space over MLE territory:
Oklahoma city
Memphis
Detroit
And Portland, Toronto & ATL pending what they choose to do with their own FA’s

But who knows. All it takes is one GM to think he will fit their system…

personally i think $11 is "overpaying" him and the bulls shouldn't match. but this is the NBA- in this situation where the player is not disgruntled/forcing a trade, you have to overpay to pry away a player via free agency

I don't think bulls owner Reinsdorf will go over the luxury tax to resign Gordon nor do i think he will him walk for nothing. they have expiring deals in Tim thomas, jerome james, and even brad miller plus 2 first round draft picks. the draft's in 6 days. i see a trade going down

but I would've figured the Pistons would be more interested in clearing cap space to make a run at a higher profile free agent.

I agree… someone like Boozer or Millsap

[Andrew]

The free agent class of 2010 is probably going to work against him. If a team thinks they have a shot at signing one of the big names next year, they're not likely to give up their cap room with a five or six year contract.

[Bodz]

but I'd still be a fan of him as one of my favourite non-Bulls, much as there are other players in the league that I like watching and want to see succeed...just not at the Bulls' expense.

Perhaps an "unabashed Bulls Supporter" might be more appropriate then?

[Andrew]

Well I'm that too. I expect I'd find myself a new avatar and come up with a new custom title. Even if Gordon remains a Bull I'm sure I'll change my custom title sooner or later.

[air gordon]

Looks like the Bulls are still trying to trade up, but could still be looking for an opportunity to offload a couple of contracts as they look to re-sign Gordon. I'd have to agree with Wojnarowski, there's surely no way they're moving Jerome James without being able to throw at least one of their first round picks in.

it's still possible they can unload his expiring contract for another contact with more yrs with less money. a team looking to dump salary for 2010, like the NY Knicks, should be interested in that

or they could try trading the 26th pick + james to memphis for a future pick.

i don't know much about James Johnson's game outside from watching a few youtube videos and reading a few scouting reports... but his skillset could make sense for the bulls scheme- a combo 3/4 forward with some perimeter skills who can play uptempo and has the size to guard post players. i am impressed this guy can bring up the ball/initiate the fast/secondary break

andrew- who do you want the bulls to pick at 16th & 26th??

i'm with picking a post player that's not lanky. whether it blair, johnson, or even hansbrough. if they can't get any of the 3, trade it for a future draft pick. i'd like to see them trade the late 1st round pick as well

[Andrew]

Honestly I don't follow the NCAA closely enough to really suggest anyone, but your suggestion of a post player who isn't lanky sounds good to me.

[air gordon]

that's the fun thing about it! i don't follow the ncaa closely anymore but i can go to sites like draftexpress, nbadraft.net & youtube and come up with "informed" decisions on these prospects (and get in debates with other internet users)

i don't think anyone the bulls pick will be their "answer" in the post. otherwise that player wouldn't be available at 16. or even at 11 if they trade up. i'll give a gold star to forman/paxson if their 1st round pick averages 15-20mpg next year (barring no injury to key frontcourt players)

i'm more concerned what's going to happen with Gordon. i honestly think the Bulls will already know his fate before they make their pick on thursday. a lot can happen the day of the draft. i'm going to put my cards on the table now before the news of "guarantees"/teams saying who they will pick start coming out-

the bulls will try to acquire amare stoudemire using some combination of tyrus thomas/draft picks/expiring contracts but GM Kerr will be asking for more. they'll do the same in order to land Bosh but won't succeed as well

there will be rumors of the bulls trading for shaq (lol) but that won't happen

in an effort to clear $ to resign Gordon (at $11mil) & gain more roster flexibility- the Bulls trade hinrich to Portland to Blake & Outlaw. next the bulls do indeed move up to 11 (trading 16 & 26) and draft Blair

hooray for Pax/forman!

[Andrew]

the bulls will try to acquire amare stoudemire using some combination of tyrus thomas/draft picks/expiring contracts but GM Kerr will be asking for more.

Personally, since the Bulls gave him the opportunity for that career defining moment in 1997, I think he should Kevin McHale an Amare to Chicago trade. It's only courtesy, after all.

Seriously though I agree, I'd like them to pursue any opportunities for Bosh or Amar'e (presumably Rose wouldn't be involved) but the price will be steep and I'm not sure they'll have enough, particularly when it comes to Bosh.

[George7]

It's sure that Bulls have priority to resign Ben Gordon as he's a vital part of this team.
A PF sign should be a priority too.
About Amare, i believe that with Shaq coming to PHO it's a littl bit easier for this trade to be done.
Personally i like Tyrus Thomas,as he is a player who can be improved very much and can play a part in future bulls squad as a 6th player.
Maybe trade a SF(luol Deng?) a future pick and maybe another player not so needed for the team.

[Andrew]

I like the progress Thomas showed last season, but he's someone they'd likely have to give up if they have any chance of landing someone like Amar'e.

[air gordon]

i too don't think the bulls have enough to land Amare or Bosh via trade. last i heard Kerr wanted a good prospect, good draft pick, and cap space. they do have expiring contracts but tyrus thomas & their picks is just not enticing enough

i think i read on espn that Detroit is targeting Gordon as their #1 FA target instead of Boozer since they are concerned about Boozer's age & injury history. maybe benji can corroborate this rumor

and the rumor mill is heating about Kirk going to Portland. oh too good to be true! one more day....

[Andrew]

There's no rush yet for the Suns or Raptors either. If things look bleak as far as re-signing Amar'e or Bosh, they'll have until February 2010 to move them before they can walk for nothing. There's sure to be a couple of teams looking to make major changes at the deadline who would give them a good deal if they're not confident in retaining them.

Or they could always just trade them for each other straight up right now. In any case, I'm not holding my breath on the Bulls getting a deal done for either of them.

[air gordon]

so any thoughts on the draft picks?

i like the Johnson pick but not the Gibson pick. the guy is 6'9, weighs only 215 and plays PF???!! i don't care how long his wingspan is. i'd be happier w/blair or ellington at 26

[Mayerhendrix]

i'm betting that blair will be out of the league in five years. a 6'6" player can't be a power forward.

[Jackal]

[shadowgrin]

(He's 6'7, still near 6'6)


(A 6'7 center)

[Andrew]

so any thoughts on the draft picks?

i like the Johnson pick but not the Gibson pick. the guy is 6'9, weighs only 215 and plays PF???!! i don't care how long his wingspan is. i'd be happier w/blair or ellington at 26

Agreed on both counts. I suppose I'd go for Ellington given the uncertainty with Ben Gordon and Johnson becoming the third power forward on the roster. A fourth power forward who seems unsuitable for the position in the NBA seems a bit wasteful.

[air gordon]

i guess it's worth mentioning that media outlets around here said the bulls were taking/making offers on luol deng & tyrus thomas... obviously to no avail.

free agency negotiation starts tomorrow...

Vince Carter getting traded to the magic may be the move that keeps the bulls from resigning Gordon

i don't think Detroit will give the years/$ that Hedo wants given his age, but i think Portland will blow their load on him instead of trading away spare parts/salary space for Hinrich... leaving the Bulls in the luxury tax, unable to match the contract that Detroit will offer

i'm a little confused with the rumors of Detroit being interested in him/guaranteeing him $11mil per. as long as Hamilton is on the team why would Dumars want to sign Gordon? i know Gordon is friggin awesome but he's not going to sign to come off the bench yet again and trading Hamilton will be difficult when you consider how much $ and time is left on his contract. i think they will lose Rasheed and should go for Milsaps since recently its been reported that Boozer is not opting out of his contract. just my opinion

[Andrew]

Exactly. As much as I like Gordon and think he tends to get a bad rap, Detroit's rumoured interest is quite puzzling.

[Bodz]

Now that Carlos Boozer has decided to stay with the Jazz, seems like Detroit is looking to Turk as 1st priority and Gordon as 2nd option.

Turkoglu Is Detroit's First Option, Gordon Second

[Andrew]

Suits me. The risk of overpaying Gordon is there, but as I've said before I'd prefer it if they kept him and looked to move others...Rose excluded.