I'm considering picking this one up again. To that end, I've gone through the offseason.
2006 Offseason
Begley will remain in Chicago
CHICAGO, IL -- Chicago Bulls head coach and general manager Andrew Begley reportedly turned down an offer to join the Minnesota Timberwolves in an unspecified capacity and will remain at the helm of the Bulls. Begley declined to comment on any discussions with the Timberwolves but said "I'm happy to be here in Chicago and I'm committed to us defending our crown this year. There's no other place I'd rather be."
The Bulls swept the 2005 champion San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals in June.
New Orleans wins NBA Draft Lottery
NEW YORK, NY -- The New Orleans Hornets will select first in the NBA Draft on June 24th after winning the NBA Draft Lottery today, despite only having the fourth best chance out of the fourteen lottery teams. The Atlanta Hawks will pick second overall while the Minnesota Timberwolves, owners of the league's worst record last season, dropped to the fourth pick. The biggest winners might have been the Orlando Magic, who will pick third despite only having the eighth best odds in the hopper.
"Naturally we're very excited," commented Hornets' coach Byron Scott. "It's been a tough year for us, the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana but we're looking forward to the future and also, to coming home." Scott refused to hint at who the team would select, stating only that the team were considering a few options with the pick.
The Hornets last owned the first overall pick in 1991 while still in Charlotte, when they selected Larry Johnson out of UNLV. Johnson would have an immediate impact for the Hornets as well as enjoying success later in his career with the New York Knicks.
Draft Order
1. New Orleans Hornets
2. Atlanta Hawks
3. Orlando Magic
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
5. New York Knicks
6. Los Angeles Lakers
7. Charlotte Bobcats
8. Seattle Supersonics
9. Utah Jazz
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Boston Celtics
12. Washington Wizards
13. Denver Nuggets
14. Sacramento Kings
15. Toronto Raptors
16. Los Angeles Clippers
17. Golden State Warriors
18. Portland Trailblazers
19. Phoenix Suns
20. Detroit Pistons
21. Chicago Bulls
22. Philadelphia Sixers
23. New Jersey Nets
24. Indiana Pacers
25. Memphis Grizzlies
26. Houston Rockets
27. Miami Heat
28. Dallas Mavericks
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
30. San Antonio Spurs
Rookie Scouting Report: Chicago Bulls
CHICAGO, IL -- The Chicago Bulls have been working out prospects all week and thus far it looks as though they will draft big should Wyatt Hanlon or Howard Mobley be available at the twenty first pick. At 7'3" and 292 lbs, Hanlon would give the Bulls an interesting project behind Tyson Chandler in the middle. Although limited offensively, Hanlon can alter shots and is a monster on the boards. Mobley in contrast is more of a finesse player though he has shown some explosiveness around the rim and at 7'0" and 281 lbs he can still fill the lane.
Other players who have been brought in include swingman Botwe Grant and power forward Katashiko Cheung.
Pike calls it a day
CHICAGo, IL -- Chicago Bulls swingman Eric Piatkowski has announced his retirement today. Piatkowski played 12 seasons in the NBA for the Clippers, Rockets and Bulls.
Around the League: Key Free Agents
DETROIT, MI -- A few noteworthy players have agreed to contracts with their current teams but the Pistons' Ben Wallace is not among them. The multi-time Defensive Player of the Year has opted to test the free agent waters in search of the best possible deal. Tayshaun Prince however has decided to remain in Detroit. Elsewhere, Caron Butler has agreed to terms with the Washington Wizards, while the Texas Triangle should remain a dangerous road trip as both Yao Ming and Jason Terry agreed to remain with the Rockets and Mavericks respectively. The Cavaliers have retained Drew Gooden for five years while Phoenix re-signed Amare Stoudemire for an estimated $75 million over six years. Al Harrington has also agreed to a new deal with the Atlanta Hawks, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
NBA Draft
NEW YORK, NY -- Liu Cotton topped a stellar class of guards selected in the 2007 Draft as the first overall pick taken by the New Orleans Hornets. Cotton is expected to start alongside second year point guard Chris Paul for the Hornets.
ROUND ONE
1. NOH - L. Cotton (SG)
2. ATL - A. Tam (SG)
3. ORL - I. Snow (SG)
4. MIN - T. Kozlov (SG)
5. NYK - M. Gartner (PG)
6. LAL - I. Akinwande (PF)
7. CHA - M. Marshall (PG)
8. SEA - M. McGrady (SG)
9. UTA - K. Pack (SG)
10. MIL - T. Constantine (PF)
11. BOS - Z. Adetown (PF)
12. WAS - L. Ashmore (SG)
13. DEN - A. McDonald (SF)
14. SAC - P. Grant (SG)
15. TOR - L. Kuffour (SG)
16. LAC - V. Kirk (SG)
17. GSW - M. Diop (SG)
18. POR - J. Best (SG)
19. PHO - E. Smith (PF)
20. DET - M. Beranek (PF)
21. CHI - W. Hanlon (C)
22. PHI - C. Lenard (SG)
23. NJN - I. Tallis (C)
24. IND - G. Samsanonv (PG)
25. MEM - J. Christie (PG)
26. HOU - W. Audet (PF)
27. MIA - B. Grant (SF)
28. DAL - J. Betts (SG)
29. CLE - D. Brooke (SF)
30. SAS - J. Hakidawandi (SG)
ROUND TWO
31. NOH - L. Hammonds (PG)
32. ATL - A. Mbembe (C)
33. ORL - L. Cameron (PF)
34. MIN - T. Washington (SG)
35. NYK - V. Toure (SG)
36. LAL - K. Hosny (C)
37. CHA - Z. Brylin (SG)
38. SEA - B. Babych (SG)
39. UTA - C. Rand (PG)
40. MIL - A. Grayer (SG)
41. BOS - R. Stewart (PF)
42. WAS - A. Friesen (SF)
43. DEN - A. Chen (C)
44. SAC - G. Robards (PF)
45. TOR - N. Schneider (C)
46. LAC - Z. Nugent (SF)
47. GSW - G. Hendrickson (SG)
48. POR - FORFEITED
49. PHO - S. Oyekanmi (PF)
50. DET - L. Respect (PG)
51. CHI - H. Mobley (C)
52. PHI - C. Camara (SF)
53. NJN - R. Cantrell (PG)
54. IND - X. Hakidawandi (PF)
55. MEM - S. Sato (SF)
56. HOU - E. Workman (SF)
57. MIA - D. Arnold (SG)
58. DAL - R. McDonald (SF)
59. CLE - L. Wolf (SG)
60. SAS - C. Galbraith (PF)
Bulls sign Wilcox, Dunleavy
CHICAGO, IL -- The Chicago Bulls announced the signing of forwards Chris Wilcox and Mike Dunleavy, Jr in a press conference held this afternoon. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed but both are expected to be in the $4-5 million range with Wilcox's contract running six years while Dunleavy is rumoured to have signed for four years. Commented Bulls' coach Andrew Begley, "We're very pleased to be able to bring in two talented young players who will no doubt strengthen our roster as we make a run at a second straight title."
Big Ben signs with Bobcats
CHARLOTTE, NC -- Today the Charlotte Bobcats announced the signing of Ben Wallace to a multi-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Wallace immediately becomes the young franchise's highest touted free agent signee, having won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in the 2003/2004 NBA season.
"I enjoyed my time in Detroit but it was time to move on," Wallace told reporters at this afternoon's press conference. "It's time for new challenges and this is a young club that could use a veteran like myself. I think we can make some noise this year."
Around the League: Retired Players
- David Wesley
- Darrick Martin
- Anfernee Hardaway
- Robert Pack
- Jon Barry
- Anthony Peeler
- Tony Kukoc
- Kendall Gill
- Eric Piatkowski
- Antonio Davis
- Cliff Robinson
- Brian Grant
- Bo Outlaw
- Christian Laettner
- Aaron Williams
- Tom Gugliotta
- Corie Blount
- Alonzo Mourning
- Dikembe Mutombo
- Zeljko Rebraca
- Ervin Johnson
- Derrick Coleman
- Tony Massenburg
Bulls sign Monta Ellis
CHICAGO, IL -- The Chicago Bulls announced today that they have signed free agent guard Monta Ellis to a two year contract. Ellis, a 6'3" shooting guard out of Lanier High School is Jackson, MS, played his rookie season last year for the Golden State Warriors.
Hawks acquire Felton for rookie Tam
ATLANTA, GA -- The Atlanta Hawks have completed a deal to send second overall pick Ayeshi Tam to the Charlotte Bobcats for second year point guard Raymond Felton. Felton was drafted fifth overall by the Bobcats in the 2005 NBA Draft.