Bulls Off-Season

[StartOrien]

To me, the Bulls have a HUGE off season in front of them that could potentially make or break the future of their franchise.

I think they should work to keep Gordon, and then turn their attention to a potential deal with Toronto for Chris Bosh. Perhaps something centering around Deng and Hinrich.

Rose
Gordon
Salmons
Thomas
Bosh

Noah first off the bench.

What are your guys' thoughts?

[D Dub]

Great topic.  John Paxson certainly has his work cut out for him this offseason.

My opinion is that they need to let Ben Gordon walk.  Between Rose and Salmons they have guys in the backcourt who can create their own shot and that $$ would be better off used on the front court.

The defense that Hinrich is capable of playing against bigger wing players makes BG expendable.  Kirk is very good fit next to Rose at sg, and he is already signed on long term.

Getting back to that front court, getting a Bosh like talent has to be priority one.  Maybe something like Thomas/Deng/picks can land them such a talent? 
If so, they would be a top defensive squad starting a lineup like this:

Rose
Hinrich
Salmons
*Bosh*
Miller / Noah

I really like Miller and Salmons contributions for this team.  Their veteran savvy and strong outside shooting are ideal fits along side Derrik Rose. 

[Who]

I'd like to see Chicago trade Hinrich for cap space and let Gordon leave in free agency. For a bonus point, I'd like to see Chicago dump Deng's contract but I'm not sure if that's possible.

Try to get below the cap for 2010 and add the high end talent the squad badly needs.

I'd also like the squad to start checking Ty Thomas' trade value because his extension is around the corner. It's hard to know what he could command in free agency, I'd be somewhat worried about that, and I'd be very concerned at his massive cap hold.

[JSD]

I agree, the Bulls do have a fascinating offseason ahead of them. In the deal you mentioned Tyrus Thomas would need to be included. Gordon and Thomas might be a good enough package to land Bosh but not two combo guards. After that what about sending Brad miller and Tim Thomas to Phoenix for Shaq? It helps Phoenix get out of their financial situation (saves around 3 million not including pot. buyouts) and it allows the Bulls to make a top 4 seed playoff run.

PG - Rose
SG - Hinrich
SF - Deng
PF - Bosh
C - Shaq

Bench - Noah and Solomon.


EDIT: Actually, it might make for financial sense for the Bulls to let Gordon walk and Package Deng and Thomas for Bosh.

PG - Rose
SG - Hinrich
SF - Solomon
PF - Bosh
C  - Shaq

Bench - Noah, MLE

[Atzar]

I agree, the Bulls do have a fascinating offseason ahead of them. In the deal you mentioned Tyrus Thomas would need to be included. Gordon and Thomas might be a good enough package to land Bosh but not two combo guards. After that what about sending Brad miller and Tim Thomas to Phoenix for Shaq? It helps Phoenix get out of their financial situation (saves around 3 million not including pot. buyouts) and it allows the Bulls to make a top 4 seed playoff run.

PG - Rose
SG - Hienrich
SF - Deng
PF - Bosh
C - Shaq

Bench - Noah and Solomon.

What he said.  I don't like the idea of Bosh playing alongside Tyrus - Bosh needs a banger to help him with the more physical matchups in the paint.  If they find a way to pull in Shaq, though... look out.  I don't think Miller and Tim Thomas would be enough to get Shaq, though - I think Phoenix could get a much better package elsewhere if they choose to deal Shaqtastic.

[moiso]

I thought the Bulls would have a huge offseason for like 3 years in a row and we're still saying it.  They have had all these chips to cash in for several years and have never made the big move.  Finally, it appears that Gordon's contract situation will force their move.  But I really feel they could have done something a long time ago like the C's did 2 summers ago.

[Donoghus]

So why are we trying to improve the Bulls?  J/k

Good luck trying to move Henrich's contract.  I think they let Gordon walk since he's going to be too expensive to resign AND have a shot in the '10 sweepstakes. Unless the ESPN trade machine is lying to me (which it could) they have James' contract expiring this season.  They also have Miller's contract coming off the books after next year which is pretty significant ($11,000,000 +).  

I'm not sure how much they can really do THIS offseason besides add some cheap bench talent but they do have the opportunity to make something happen after NEXT season.

[StartOrien]

I don't think they should wait for 2010 if what they need (front court help) might be available right now. The 2 biggest front court free agents; Amare and Bosh are available right now.

I feel like the Suns would spring on the idea of getting Deng and Thomas for Amare, but if I'm the Bulls I'd rather have Bosh (and make sure to keep either Noah and/or Miller)

[Who]

I don't think they should wait for 2010 if what they need (front court help) might be available right now. The 2 biggest front court free agents; Amare and Bosh are available right now.

I feel like the Suns would spring on the idea of getting Deng and Thomas for Amare, but if I'm the Bulls I'd rather have Bosh (and make sure to keep either Noah and/or Miller)

I'm not convinced that either player is available currently, and I'm not convinced Chicago can make a good enough offer to acquire either player.

However, if they were available, and if Phoenix or Toronto felt the offer was good enough, then absolutely, the Bulls should try to make that trade now and do everything possible to build an instant contender.

[Celtic]

I start by letting Gordon walk, and trying a deal for Bosh, the way Hinrich played the last two weeks, I would rather have him and save the cash.

[Who]

Good luck trying to move Henrich's contract.

I think it'll be Portland that makes the strongest push for Hinrich. They'll be below the cap so contracts won't have to match, something like Steve Blake for Hinrich. They went after Hinrich pretty hard before the trade deadline, and Blake is getting a lot of criticism for his (defensive) performances in the playoffs. Hinrich is one of the favourites to take over the job because of his defense, shooting, and complementary (to Roy) offensive abilities.

Houston is another team that might get involved. I think they'll continue to shop for a point guard, and look at Hinrich in the process, not sure they bite though.

I'm not sure Chicago wants to dump Hinrich though. I wouldn't be surprised if they took back talent, and contracts, instead.

I think they let Gordon walk since he's going to be too expensive to resign AND have a shot in the '10 sweepstakes.

I agree that's what they should do, but I think they'll offer a contract, something around $8mil starting salary and increasing each year.

I'm not sure how much they can really do THIS offseason besides add some cheap bench talent but they do have the opportunity to make something happen after NEXT season.

I fully agree. I hope the Bulls don't destroy their chances of becoming a contender by prioritizing a few extra and insignificant wins next season on a team with no hope of contending for a title.

Unfortunately, I'm not sold that John Paxson understands this. I think it's likely that we'll see him make mistakes.

[fairweatherfan]

The only reason the Bulls might keep Gordon is the bad economy and the looming '10 free agent class.  Both are going to tamper down the natural inclination of the league's dumber GMs to throw dumptrucks full of money at him.  Still think this means the Bulls have about a 20% chance to keep him instead of a 2% chance.  Unless they can get him cheap, letting him go is definitely the right move.

If they lose Gordon, this team is going to be in desperate need of scoring.  Trading for Bosh would help some of that, but they won't trade for him unless they can sign him to an extension, which is a big maybe - Bosh may prefer to control his own destiny next year.  Also, Bosh reminds me a little of Vin Baker without the drinking problem; he's very talented but tends to regress when he's playing a true star.  If he can't get past that mental block he's not worth the max extension he'll demand.

I think those who say Paxson'll get drunk of this playoff "run" and overreach himself are probably right.  He's probably going to try and make a big move or two rather than tread water without Gordon for a year and make moves to free up cap space in '10 to try to get a star.  I think the best thing he can do is sit on his nucleus, try to draft a scoring 2 (Ellington?) to make up for some of Gordon's role, and make the big move after next year.  Their core group is young enough to wait.