From seeing Tracy McGrady in Orlando, albeit in street clothes, to Elton Brand's arrival at the United Center on Friday, it's in vogue to revisit the Bulls' painful past these days.
What if McGrady hadn't grown up in Florida and/or Benny the Bull hadn't made that embarrassing visit to O'Hare to greet him in the free-agent fiasco that defined the summer of 2000?
What if Jerry Krause had decided making one teenager an instant millionaire was enough and Tyson Chandler were still Brand?
But the Bulls' past is littered with losses--on the court and off--and you can rest assured that the current regime isn't looking back. It's looking forward--to an off-season of certain change, possibly major.
Three dates are what most consume general manager John Paxson and coach Scott Skiles and his staff: the May 26 draft lottery, the June 24 draft and the July 1 free-agent recruiting period. The first date will provide the Bulls with the most critical information--their draft position--and affect their flexibility and planning as the other two dates draw near.
It's impossible to predict exactly what the trade market, er, future holds. But here are some educated guesses as to who from the current roster will and won't be wearing Bulls uniforms next season.
To make it easier for fans who stopped paying attention to the roster two 10-day contract signings ago, this procedure will be done in alphabetical order.
- Tyson Chandler. The first one also is one of the toughest to predict. This is for sure: He will be shopped. Paxson will suggest and listen to many trade scenarios once the Bulls' draft position is known. Chandler will be in many of these talks. But given the questions about his durability and his relatively low cost to the Bulls--$4.8 million next season--the safe bet is that he'll return.
- Jamal Crawford. Management never has loved his shoot-first mentality, and he, too, will be shopped in sign-and-trade scenarios. Somebody has to score, but the only way Crawford will return is if he gets little interest as a restricted free agent. Even Paxson would have a hard time swallowing losing him for nothing if teams are offering little more than that.
- Eddy Curry. Forget his defensive lapses. Forget his tendency to dominate games early and disappear late. Forget the affable and mellow nature that occasionally drives management nuts, especially come workout time. He's 6 feet 11 inches. He's nimble and athletic. And he will be back.
- Antonio Davis. To make this easier, only Curry and Kirk Hinrich won't be included in trade talks, so yes, Davis will be too. But he will have more value in the 2005-06 season, when his $13 million salary comes off the books. For that reason, look for him to be back.
- Ronald Dupree. Management likes his defensive intensity and his work ethic, but there's a reason why he started the season in the NBDL. He'll be job hunting come October.
- Marcus Fizer. Dennis Rodman has a better chance of returning.
- Kendall Gill. The 14-year veteran carries a life list with him that has playing 15 years in the NBA as one of his goals. He'll reach it--in another uniform.
- Kirk Hinrich. The hairstyle and hustle are as much of a lock to return as the Jordan statue.
- Chris Jefferies. Let's see . . . Jefferies. Oh, yeah, tall guy, shooter--and has a guaranteed contract. Unless Paxson can include him as a salary-cap equalizer in a trade, he's likely to return. Paxson is tired of buyouts.
- Linton Johnson. The local native is a nice success story who can rebound and defend. He'll be given another season to develop a jump shot.
- Jannero Pargo. Another local product whose future is tough to call, but he certainly has displayed the shooting ability to earn a crack at being Hinrich's backup.
- Scottie Pippen. After just 23 games, who will be able to tell? Salary-cap watchers will, as Pippen continues to hint at not accepting a buyout of his guaranteed second year. But he's expected to retire.
- Eddie Robinson. Paxson will attempt to win Executive of the Year votes by getting somebody to take the two years and $14 million left on Robinson's deal. Expansion Charlotte is the best shot, albeit a long one.
- Paul Shirley. Management likes his practice habits. But if he's back, Paxson didn't turn over the roster as much as he wanted to.
- Jerome Williams. Expect more woofing. With $18 million left on his deal, the self-proclaimed Junkyard Dog will be back.
Some might not want to register, so whole article.
Limp made a scenario as to where Crawford could land up (Golden State) but what about Chandler? Bobcats possibly?
If the Bulls decide to protect Johnson or Dupree, I'd personally drop Shirley from that list.
he may have a good work ethic, but he never proved anything neither in NBA, nor elsewhere ... The Bobcats surely wouldn't pick him.
