ESPN NBA Conversation

ebby9417

Best case scenario for the Bulls: D Rose's knee gets behind schedule, done for the whole season, but 100% for next season, Boozer gets a hangnail then has menstrual cramps and misses 50% or more of the season, and Noah has a bad year. Bulls in the lower half of the EC and hopefully we can get a nice little Lottery pick out of that and we get another star to play with Rose
302 Days ago

Jay 734

HOW BOUT DWIGHT HOWARD
304 Days ago

ajkeence81

The Bulls are going to really struggle this season.
304 Days ago

skyguy517

rose out for most of the season and no more role players (brewer, watson, or korver)
303 Days ago

Jaywashing

Brewer and Watson are insignificant losses. Korver's shooting will be missed, as will Asik's paint protection. Taj and Jimmy will anchor the bench; Vlad, Nazr, Teague and whoever else fills out the roster...well, I don't know. Regardless, the front office is clearly positioning themselves for an attempt at a big name next summer or the one after that, and I fully support them for it.
303 Days ago

bhen15

Get rid of Boozer and his huge contract.
304 Days ago

Can-I-Get-A-Hot-Tub

I think Aggrey Smith is reporting the Bulls are trying to sign Malcolm Thomas to a 1yr deal... ...but other teams are trying to sign Thomas as well.
304 Days ago

mjes2322

Smh except Taj has already proved what type of player he can be...Age is the only real factor between the two. The bulls would have to wait and continue to let Thomas grow , as where Taj is ready to take Booz spot. Thats why I was saying that. Your right though, and it would suck to see Taj go. He's by far one of my favorite players after Rose and Noah.
304 Days ago

Champsorbust

I respect the concern and these poison pill contracts do suck but Taj would be earmarked as a starting 4; Asik is and will be a back-up. But because Taj can make more than the $5M upfront, I don't think someone coming off the 4 year rookie deal is eligible for those kind of poison pill deals. Perhaps Someone on the board can enlighten us.
304 Days ago

Can-I-Get-A-Hot-Tub

Like what they did with Asik? I'm only guessing what they're going to do with what they've done (or haven't done) in the past.
304 Days ago

Champsorbust

C'mon Hot-Tub, I have more faith in your postings than that. No way he'll walk for nothing, even if they have to amnesty Booze b4 hand.
304 Days ago

Can-I-Get-A-Hot-Tub

Unfortunately, this is the Bulls. They'll probably let Taj walk for nothing.
304 Days ago

Champsorbust

It wouldn't suck to see Taj go if they can trade him for the stud SG they have needed to pair with Rose for so long. Not have to worry about it this year, but if Thomas develops into something servicable as a Taj-type player, perhaps that's something they can work on for '13-14 season.
304 Days ago

mjes2322

Malcom Thomas is a clone of Taj when he first came in. It be great to have two of the same type of players all around.
304 Days ago

The Ball Dont Lie

Couldn't have said it better myself. If Thomas shows he can do what Taj does during the season. Taj will be expendable.
304 Days ago

Can-I-Get-A-Hot-Tub

Let's be real. If Thomas is signed and he stays with the team, Taj is going to be traded. Taj will get $8-10mil. Thomas will get $1mil. We all have seen the pattern already.
304 Days ago

The Ball Dont Lie

A quick look at the Bulls so far.... Rose 15.5 million Boozer 15 million Deng 13.5 million Noah 11.3 million RIP 5 million Kirk 3 million Taj 2 million Belinelli 1.9 million(Bi-Annual, not official) Vlad 1.3 million Mohammed 1.3 million (not official) Butler 1 million Teague 900k Bulls salary = about 71 million Salary cap = 58 million Luxury tax = 70 million Bulls have a 5 million MLE. They used 3 millon of it on Kirk Hinrich. Leaving 2 million left to spend. If the Bulls use the Bi Annual Exception on Belinell, it will set a hard cap of 74 million. Meaning for the rest of the season the Bulls can not go over 74 millon in salary. So far the Bulls roster looks like PG: Kirk Hinrich - Teague SG: RIP - Belinelli SF: Deng - Butler PF: Boozer - Taj C: Noah - Mohammed Injuried: Rose Bulls have 11 players, 10 active. They need one more to make their 12 man roster. (Edit) I forgot Vlad they actually would have 12.
304 Days ago

The Ball Dont Lie

I forgot to add Vlad at the end so the Bulls would have 12 if they sign Belinelli and Mohammed.
304 Days ago

Can-I-Get-A-Hot-Tub

Bulls don't need another Veteran...they need more prospects.
304 Days ago

The Ball Dont Lie

I agree. The Bulls will probably sign someone like Malcolm Thomas and hopes he develops. Maybe into Taj, so they can trade him instead of pay him.
304 Days ago

BJett20884

I'd rather see the Bulls go for someone like Robin Lopez instead of Mohammad. He's younger, more upside, and a better defender. There is no telling would Phoenix match his offer, but it's worth a try.
304 Days ago

The Ball Dont Lie

Ok I wasn't too sure.
304 Days ago

Can-I-Get-A-Hot-Tub

PHO extended Lopez his $4mil Qualifying Offer already. He's a RFA, so whatever he is offered (especially if it's low), they'll match.
304 Days ago

The Ball Dont Lie

Lopez is probably out of their price range. I doubt he settles for the minimum of 900k. The Bulls could offer him up to 2 million. I don't know what Lopez is looking for exactly. Or if he would even be worth that 2 million to the Bulls.
304 Days ago

rmcweeny32

Amnesty booze next year, trade noah for picks, let rip go. and have enough room to land Dwight and monta
304 Days ago

The Ball Dont Lie

You won't have enough for both. Taj will need to be extended also next year and he will probably make 8 million a year at least. Unless you just want to let him walk.
304 Days ago

taa316

So maybe Foye for that 2 mil remaining?
304 Days ago

The Ball Dont Lie

Possible. If the Bulls are looking at Foye, I have to believe they are looking to trade RIP's 5 million also. Or possibly buy him out. If the Bulls can move RIP, I think they will try to sign Foye. But if not I don't think Foye makes any sense.
304 Days ago

chicago3454

Has anyone had any thoughts on Hassan Whiteside? He would be a nice backup to Joakim and he is only 24 and a 7 footer.
304 Days ago

Can-I-Get-A-Hot-Tub

He's strictly a super raw prospect at this point. I would be down for it, but it doesn't look like the Bulls want to develop anybody.
304 Days ago

taa316

I only know him from NBA 2K12, haha. He's a good bench warmer, but that's all I know. I'd say sign him for the minimum, why not.
304 Days ago

mjes2322

So.....Whats Good with Thibs Contract?
304 Days ago

Can-I-Get-A-Hot-Tub

Bulls probably want to give him the same $4mil Brooks got, Thibs probably wants $5mil.
304 Days ago

gnjewel9042

so we could have traded Omer 2 years ago for Courtney Lee. Now we get neither. Great job Bulls management.
304 Days ago

taa316

You have to keep in mind that they WANT to keep Asik. They rather have him than Lee to this day. But the Rockets gave him such an unreasonable contract that we have to let him go. I get your point, but they were going to keep him unless there was a team that wanted to do something stupid, and Houston did just that
304 Days ago

gnjewel9042

I know man. I'm just bitter that the Bulls aren't doing anything significant this summer. I guess there really is nothing they can do though
304 Days ago

BrianBrianhestheman

you heard it here. Asik is going to do great in Houston with former big McHale developing him. The Bulls made a mistake. The poison pill and yadda yadda, this will come back to haunt them. This is not a "basketball decision" Gar. You let the best back up big and arguably one of the best per36 minute rebounders/Shot blockers and defenders in the NBA walk. He'll be a serviceable starter and will be good. Mark my words.
304 Days ago

taa316

Until he can catch a ball, I wouldn't even pay him 5 mil a year for 3 years
304 Days ago

mjes2322

He'sther Gortat, calm down with all the hype. I feel like P. Diddy is here with that all that noise
304 Days ago

mjes2322

Don't use PER for anything. I won't take it seriously. PER makes people like Boozer look arguably as good as Lebron...by PER. I stopped when you brought that analogy up with Asik
304 Days ago

jharmon64

I agree the Bulls should have kept Asik. But I don't know that he's a true starting center. He's perfect to play some decent minutes as a reserve and a compliment to Noah.
304 Days ago

rmcweeny32

maybe he will be, but it wasn't about the bulls not wanting Asik, it was about them not getting him for the right price. They need to clear up cap room, because Pax/Forman are planning big things for 2013.
304 Days ago

Akuma2K

rmcweeny32 - maybe he will be, but it wasn't about the bulls not wanting Asik, it was about them not getting him for the right price. They need to clear up cap room, because Pax/Forman are planning big things for 2013. I agree about the cap room, there's gonna be plenty of quality free agents available after this upcoming season and the Bulls will be looking pretty to sign who they want compared to now.......not to mention the Bulls getting rid of the Boozer, best believe he's gone too after this season.
304 Days ago

BrianBrianhestheman

Not saying 20/10 great but with the right minutes 8/10-12 (sounds like Noah)
304 Days ago

jharmon64

Catch me up, has Asik signed the Houston deal, when is the deadline to match expiring? Thanks
304 Days ago

rmcweeny32

not yet, but it seems inevitable. the bulls have no plans to match the offer.
304 Days ago

jharmon64

That's what I thought, thanks.
304 Days ago

rmcweeny32

I love that the Bulls didn't sign Asik, Watson, Korver or Brewer this offseason. Sure, the bench mob is great, but only great with a fully healthy starting 5. The Bulls aren't writing off this season, rather hoping to reach the playoffs with a potential D-Rose return. What is best about them not signing the Bench Mob, is that they free up immense cap room for the 2013 Free Agency. The Bulls will make strong pushes for Dwight, who has shown interest in Chicago in the past, and Monta, who will be looking to go to a big market team. The Bulls will be the only team (that Dwigth would consider) that will be able to afford both, if they amnesty Boozer and trade Noah. The 2013-14 Bulls roster will be Rose, Monta, Deng, Gibson, Howard...can you say, championship?
304 Days ago

taa316

Ehh, Dwight has NEVER said anything except that he did not want to play here. And Monta would hurt Rose's game. But I do agree that it was probably the right move to do what they've done so far.
304 Days ago

rmcweeny32

before dwight "opted-in" to his 2nd contract with the Magic, the bulls were on his list along with the Heat, Clippers, and Lakers. None of those teams will be able to afford him, and either will the Nets since they signed Johnson, Humhries and Lopez.
304 Days ago

mjes2322

I read Bellnelli is close to a deal as well today.
304 Days ago

WillieparkerABeast

They need Scalabrine..
304 Days ago

dunder_mifflin_

Stacey King is in for a busy summer himself. Out is Asik, Brewer, Watson, Korver, Lucas, and Scal. In is Hinrich, Mohammed, Vlad, Teague. He needs to mix up his whole announcing arsenal.
304 Days ago