Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

Disappointing thud to end the season, especially as the Knicks still have a chance to defeat the Raptors. Fourth seed it is, just remains to be seen whether the Wizards or Nets end up with the fifth seed.

[Lamrock]

Losing was probably a blessing in disguise. I don't think anyone expects Washington to beat Chicago.

[Moz]

It seems it'll be with the Wizards afterall... they let this one slipped when they started panicking late in the fourth and their offense' stagnant... but is it just me or this is one of the most entertaining regular season finish we had in a while with teams battling for playoff seeds league wide...

[Andrew]

Losing was probably a blessing in disguise. I don't think anyone expects Washington to beat Chicago.

Good point, with the results of those other games, it's worked out alright for them.

It seems it'll be with the Wizards afterall... they let this one slipped when they started panicking late in the fourth and their offense' stagnant... but is it just me or this is one of the most entertaining regular season finish we had in a while with teams battling for playoff seeds league wide...

Absolutely. Despite the East being quite subpar for most of the season, things have turned out pretty well. Should be a pretty good postseason all around.

[MJALLDAY]

I didn't expect this to be an easy series. Yes we whipped them the last time we played but they gave us plenty of trouble in the previous meetings.

[Moz]

Yes we whipped them the last time...

Because Nene is out at that game... I reckon he'll be the headache for the Bulls on this series since it seems that John Wall is more manageable for their defense...

[MJALLDAY]

They are daring Jimmy Butler to shoot. That small lineup Thibs uses at the end of the 2nd and 4th with Hinrich, Augustin and Butler is really not working out against the Bullets. Their back court is too big and athletic to go small against. Luol Deng sure would have come in handy in this series, thanks a lot Reinsdorf... you cheap bastard.

[Andrew]

Given the money that Deng turned down, I still think moving him was the better option in the long run (though I still wish they would've got a little more in return). However, it certainly does hurt in the short term.

[Moz]

Rumors...

Aaron Afflalo

The Bulls have made it known throughout the league one or both of their first-round picks in Thursday’s draft are available. In an attempt to save salary-cap space for additions this summer, the Bulls are trying to avoid adding two rookie-scale contracts.

The Bulls also are making available the non-guaranteed contracts of Mike James, Ronnie Brewer and Lou Amundsen — totaling $4 million — in all talks. If some or all of them were needed to acquire Afflalo, this could limit the Bulls’ preferred scenario of acquiring Anthony via sign-and-trade discussions with the Knicks.

King's no. 8 pick

Chicago’s focus in such a scenario would be Creighton star Doug McDermott, who averaged 21.7 points and shot 55.0 percent from the field (45.8 percent from the 3-point line) in four years with the Bluejays. The Bulls also have interest in Michigan State’s Gary Harris and Michigan’s Nik Stauskas, who has made Chicago his home base during the draft process.

Kevin Love

The Wolves continue talking trade now with a number of teams. The Warriors, Celtics, Nuggets and Bulls are getting the most play right now. The Warriors deal was "near the finish line" according to one source before it stalled because of the other players involved in the deal. The Bulls, who are offering Taj Gibson, Tony Snell plus No. 16 and 19, are the latest suitors.

[Andrew]

All intriguing scenarios, any of which would be beneficial. Afflalo's turned into a fine shooter and he can defend as well, so he'd fit in well and add to the scoring punch. Love would be a fine star to have alongside Rose and Noah. A top prospect wouldn't be a bad way to go either, but will Thibbs play him? Granted, a lottery selection is usually a different situation to someone picked late in the first round, but I still wonder.

I'm guessing Afflalo is the likeliest option. I'd say a team with better assets to trade - a better player on the table, a higher draft pick - will end up landing Love instead. The Kings are probably going to want to hold onto the eighth pick, too.

[Moz]

I reckon them pursuing the King's no. 8 pick is for that Afflalo deal since it seems the Magic wants a top ten pick and forgot to mention that they're also in pursuit of the Nugget's no. 11 pick...

The Kings are probably going to want to hold onto the eighth pick, too.

You can't tell since Rudy Gay has opt in for next season...

[Andrew]

Well, if nothing else, I doubt they're giving it up too easily.

[Vespasian92]

It seems that Pete D. is committed to getting better now. We've had rumors about the 8th pick ever since the lottery. The hottest theory among us Kings fans is Gibson (or Snell for some) and one of the #16, #19, or return of our protected 1st round pick (via CLE, JJ Hickson trade). Frankly, I'd be shocked if they keep it and pick for ourselves.

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2014/6/23 ... hree-deals

[Moz]

Cockblock alert!

Orlando has agreed to send Arron Afflalo to Denver for Evan Fournier and 56th pick in 2014 Draft, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.

Fingers-crossed that this is somewhat connected with this one...

[Andrew]

Not bad, but will they get someone that Thibbs will actually play?

[Moz]

Not bad, but will they get someone that Thibbs will actually play?

As long as the guy will be an immediate contributor (Snell saw some minutes though he's inconsistent)...

So they'll trade the 16th and 19th to the Nuggets...

I'm told Doug McDermott will head to Chicago via trade with Denver. Getting more details now.

[Andrew]

So, does Boozer get amnestied, or is Gibson still part of a possible deal for either Love or Melo? With McDermott, I assume at least one of those two things will be happening.

[Moz]

Add Mirotic to the mix... I reckon they prefer trading Boozer than amnestying him since doing the latter somewhat still puts him on the payroll...

EDIT

So it's McDermott + Anthony Randolf for their 2014 first rounds and 2015 second rounds...

Chicago receives McDermott, along with Anthony Randolph, a 6-11, 225-pound forward with six years of NBA experience, in exchange for its two first round selections—Jusuf Nurkic and Gary Harris, taken 16th and 19th respectively—and the lesser of the Bulls’ two 2015 second round picks (Chicago’s and Portland’s).

[NovU]

I never imagined this McDermott kid to fall that low in the draft. I thought he was top 10, locked. Congrats.

phpBB [video]

Best scenario imo would be Kyle Korver with scoring and playmaking instinct. Career 20ppg player in prime possibly as ceiling.

I love his perfect Dirk mirrored one legged fadeaway. Critics say he's NBA ready so he has a good shot at seeing good minutes right away for the offensively retarded Bulls team.

[Moz]

Records says that he's the fifth-best all-time scorer in NCAA history and as that video suggests, he's a capable team defender and has a good basketball IQ so it seems it's a very good pick-up for the Bulls (just hoping that he will not turn into just a Korver/Dunleavy 2.0 or another Adam Morrison... he's getting that Austin Croshere vibe on me)... their 2nd round draft pick seems getting some praise also since some thinks that the kid is underrated...

phpBB [video]

[air gordon]

So, does Boozer get amnestied, or is Gibson still part of a possible deal for either Love or Melo? With McDermott, I assume at least one of those two things will be happening.

i think Mcdermott affects dunleavy's stay with the team more then those 2.

if Melo wants to sign outright, boozer get's amnestied. If it's a sign and trade, most likely both boozer and gibson are included in the deal.

i do prefer Melo over Love. someone wake me up when it's over. i can't be fully invested like i was with the FA extravaganza that landed the bulls Boozer.

Records says that he's the fifth-best all-time scorer in NCAA history and as that video suggests, he's a capable team defender and has a good basketball IQ so it seems it's a very good pick-up for the Bulls (just hoping that he will not turn into just a Korver/Dunleavy 2.0 or another Adam Morrison... he's getting that Austin Croshere vibe on me)

if he's a Kyle Korver clone, it will be a great pick.

[Moz]

i do prefer Melo over Love.

It's gotta be Melo between those two since he's the free agent and the one openly saying that is willing to take a paycut...

if he's a Kyle Korver clone, it will be a great pick.

Got nothing against being a Korver clone just expecting that he'll add some variety on the Bull's offense (as that video showed that he's a capable inside-outside scorer) which badly needing some scoring options...

[Andrew]

Love also doesn't come with any assurances that he'll be more than a one year rental.

I think Melo would work out fine. The Bulls need scoring, that's what he does. I think they'll be fine defensively as long as Noah and Butler are around. But, like AG says...it's hard to get too excited about the possibility. I'd like it to happen, but can they actually make it happen? And if they can't, what next?

[shadowgrin]

it's hard to get too excited about the possibility. I'd like it to happen, but can they actually make it happen? And if they can't, what next?

Signing Matt Bonner of course, which is actually the best option ahead of Melo, LeBron, or Love.

[Moz]

And if they can't, what next?

Kidnap Mirotic's love ones so that they get an immediate answer from him....