LOS ANGELES -- I'm becoming worried. I'm seeing a significant similarity between Bulls general managers John Paxson and Jerry Krause. They both seem to think they know more about the NBA than the media. I waited all day and not a single call asking me what to do with the Bulls' No. 3 pick in the NBA draft.
So here it is: No. 3, Eddy Curry and some of those bad contracts like Scottie Pippen's or Eddie Robinson's to Memphis for Pau Gasol and Shane Battier. Maybe No. 3, a real bad contract like Jerome Williams' or Antonio Davis' and Curry to Seattle for Ray Allen and Seattle's lottery pick, No. 12.
The Grizzlies and Supersonics are said to have contacted the Bulls about Curry, who remains the only real bait the Bulls have. There's little or no interest in Jamal Crawford or Tyson Chandler.
A peek at the standings explains it. There are four teams in the West who need a low post center: Memphis, Seattle, Dallas and Golden State.
Curry could be the answer for any of them, though he's a question mark for the Bulls.
He clearly regressed last season for whatever reason: The coaching change, playing at home, the pressure to produce, the expectations, the many candy factories.
The belief around the NBA is Curry still can develop but won't in Chicago. It's why Memphis probably would consider including Gasol, who is said to be available despite his team's 50-win season. They have Stromile Swift, they're not convinced Gasol is tough enough for the Western Conference and general manager Jerry West, currently without a pick, supposedly would love to get into the draft. It's probably the best package the Bulls could get. Allen, at his age and salary, is a big risk.
A front line of Gasol, Chandler and Battier would give the Bulls an exciting look, it would add flexibility and it would be big enough to compete in the Eastern Conference. Next season, not in a few years.
The question is whether this is Year 2 of the John Paxson/Scott Skiles era or Year 7 of losing.
The Bulls probably could get Antawn Jamison from Dallas or Mike Dunleavy from Golden State. But that's not enough for Curry, even with the Warriors throwing in their No. 11 draft pick. If you want Dunleavy, you may as well take Luol Deng.
That's who NBA and Duke insiders say is a virtual lock for the Bulls. Deng has told associates his first choice is the Bulls, and that he will limit workouts.
So who is this guy?
One NBA personnel man likened Deng to former Celtic Cedric Maxwell. Another said he's a step above Battier. Like Battier, Deng had his greatest success at Duke when it switched its lineup to play him at power forward.
Deng will have to adjust to play small forward in the pros. He is just 19 and is not nearly as NBA ready as Kirk Hinrich or Carmelo Anthony. But he will be a good player.
The report on Deng, compiled from several NBA scouts who watched him all season, describes him as a crafty player, not particularly athletic, with long arms, a hard worker with a good shot, a good feel for the game and a first-class individual. Deng sounds like the profile of the kind of player the Bulls desire. The downside is he's not much of a jumper and isn't quick, so he could struggle with athletic players at small forward, which he'll have to guard. He has long legs and in college he tended to play erect on defense so quicker forwards often could exploit him.
He has good hands and shoots a variety of shots as sort of a 6-foot-8-inch throwback who plays closer to the ground. It translates into excellence if not stardom.
One issue that will be interesting to watch is his heritage. He's from the Sudan and active politically. Some believe he is being pushed to go to the NBA to gain a higher profile and funds for the causes in his home country. Manute Bol was involved in many and suffered large financial setbacks.
Paxson tends to be conservative so the belief around the NBA is he will select Deng as another good piece and stop there. The Bulls are probably safe if some team surprises them and moves up to get Deng, like Miami did last season when they selected Dwyane Wade. Emeka Okafor figures to be the No. 1 pick and several teams, most notably Atlanta, want to trade up for Georgia high school star Dwight Howard, which would give the Bulls leverage to add picks or players.
The Bulls should come out of this draft better than last year. How much better will be determined by how creative and daring they can be.
Whole article since you need to be member, link too.
Curry as bait betters Bulls.
I swear, I swear if Curry is traded he will turn into a good player. He will have consitant number and all, it's just the Bulls' luck.
Or their GM.
The East is filled with power forwards playing center.
the only thing i dont like about the deal is that we are giving up battier. alot of you may think battier doesnt mean nothin to the team because he only averaged around 7 or 8 ppg. if u watch the grizz games like i do u would know how valuable battier is. he hit like 4 game winning shots for us last season. he is basically our go-2-guy in crunchtime if we need a big basket. he is a hustle player and thats the only reason i wouldnt want to do that deal. if we could get deng then i dont think i would miss battier as much.
