The Chicago Bulls are at a crossroads. They've gone through two complete rebuilding projects since Michael Jordan left the team over a decade ago, only the second of which was even remotely successful. The organization though they had the core they'd be moving forward with until they tripped and fell into Derrick Rose last summer. Now, they're younger than they expected to be and they have to decide whether Ben Gordon—their top score for the last four seasons—is worth $10-11 million a season to hold on to.
Not only that, but the first guy drafted in that long-ago attempt to rebuild, Kirk Hinrich, has been rumored to be on the block ever since Rose was drafted. Some of the other young guys—Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah specifically—have grown as players but still find themselves in trade rumors of their own. It seems like the only players on this roster Chicago definitely plans on keeping are Rose and Luol Deng. Noah and Thomas have become increasingly important to that core, but beyond those four players, just about anything is possible with this Bulls team right now.
Immediate Needs in the Draft
Right now the Bulls have two serviceable players at just about every position, but that won't last long once the contracts of Brad Miller and Tim Thomas expire in the summer of 2010. This means that with either the #16 or the #26 pick, it's likely Chicago drafts some sort of big man.
Who exactly that big man might be is anyone's guess, but the two most promising big men that could potentially be available to them at #16 are DeJuan Blair (which is unlikely), or Ohio State center B.J. Mullens. Because he didn't produce much a freshman, some scouts consider him an NBA bust-in-the-making, but a lot of other people have been impressed by his skill and think that if he had time to grow he'd be a solid player. Behind Noah and Miller, he'd have a full year to get his bearings.
With that later pick, the team can afford to go with the best player available, but with the glut of solid point guards in this class, that might end up being a third-string point guard. It might not sound particularly smart to invest a first-round pick in another point guard when Chicago already has two capable of starting just about anywhere in the NBA, but if the team does in fact plan on trading Hinrich eventually, the guy they snatch up could eventually serve as Rose's back up. It's not impossible to think that a guy like Ty Lawson, Jeff Teague, or Eric Maynor could slip to #26, for example.
Whatever they end up with, it'll just be bonus pieces to round out the bench. Chicago's not looking for any starters, which allows them to take the best and most curious guys on the board. They can afford to develop a guy for a year or two right now.
Immediate Needs in Free Agency
If Chicago does re-sign Ben Gordon they'll be pushing the luxury tax threshold, which means there won't be a lot of money to spend on free agents. Sources have made it clear that the luxury tax thing is not as big a deal for the Bulls as the media seems to be making it out to be, and while that may be true, it's also no secret that Chicago is protecting their cash until the summer of 2010, when Miller, Tim Thomas, and Jerome James come off the books. That's about $24 million in salary gone in a blink.
But for this summer there's no question that all the attention falls on Gordon. This debate has been done to death, but what it essentially comes down to is whether or not you need Gordon to remain competitive. Once you've established that it's a matter of how much money is that need worth? If the worth outweighs the cash, you keep BG. If the scale tips a little too heavily towards the millions of dollars, it might be time to let Gordon seek the big payday he undoubtedly deserves.
It'd be fun to see him back considering all the excitement he's provided Bulls fans over the years, but at some point one has to ask whether a one-dimensional guy is truly worth $11 million a season. Tough call for new Bulls GM Gar Foreman, but undoubtedly one that will take a good chunk of the offseason to resolve.
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posted By CentrILMark, 20 June 2009 10:30:15 AM
When's the last time the Chicago Bulls and more specifically Jerry Reinsdorf have gone over the luxury tax? Bulls beat writer K.C. Johnson, Bulls.com Sam Smith have both stated the Bulls have no interest in spending into luxury territory. As far as untouchable/keepers the franchise plans on holding on to, there may be trade rumors, but Joakim Noah after the late season run and playoff performance against Boston is now an untouchable along with Rose. As for Tyrus his dissapearing act after the first couple of games of the Boston series is just why the Bulls will/would be willing to trade him. He has definitely shown enough now in blocks and scoring to have some value. The draft picks are rumored to be in play to move up with one pick(possibly the Nets No. 11). It's been reported that they(scouts, Paxson, Gar) like Wake Forest's James Johnson. Watching Eric Maynor, who has fallen on some boards(small conference-itis?), his hesitation moves make him lethally elusive, getting open or into the lane at will. And his presence and leadership qualities are outstanding. Also, Marcus Thornton at almost 6'4 with shoes has more athleticism then his pre-draft measurements showed with 5.5 and 5.6 boards a game at L.S.U. He can score inside, and even posesses some solid post moves. Those are the guys. They liked Flynn, but he'll be long gone by then. I've heard they like Gerald Henderson too, but he lacks a true offensive game. Taj Gibson with almost three blocks a game in a power conference and crazy field goal percentages would be a great pick up at 26. I would say the chances of swapping both picks for a blockbuster are now almost non-existent. Draft night looms.
posted By Kevin, 20 June 2009 10:34:52 AM
Agree, Jerry Reinsdorf is the cheapest GM in the league in terms of the amount of money the Bulls bring in. Out of all the big markets (NYC, LA, Boston, Chicago), the Bulls are by FAR the lowest spending team by like 10 million dollars.
Assume we don't resign BG and we go over the threshold to LA's level (about an additional 10 million on the books), that's 15 million + that we can spend on a marquee free agent. That's enough for a legit big man, or at least another superstar that can play defense and score just as much as BG.
We need to let BG walk, or do a sign and trade and get someone like Hedo who is commanding the same exact price, but isn't undersized and not redundant.
I would be fine letting him walk, not signing anyone new to resign miller next year for 5-8 million and use the rest of our cash on getting dwade or bosh.
posted By Mike, 20 June 2009 3:48:18 PM
You guys need to stop with that DeJuan Blair/ James Johnson thing, last thing Bulls need is another undersized PF and Blair/ Johnson are both severely undersized, PERIOD!!!
posted By Mike, 20 June 2009 3:51:14 PM
Guys that Bulls will target in draft are: SG James Harden (if they trade up in that #3 to #6 range), SG/SF DeMar DeRozan (if they trade up in that #7 to #9 range), SG Gerald Henderson or SF/PF Earl Clark (if they trade up in #10 to #12 range or if one of those guys falls down in their lap at #16), or last guys like C B.J. Mullens or SF/PF Austin Daye.
posted By Joey B, 20 June 2009 3:53:08 PM
I have yet to understand why the Bulls have not made an offer for David Lee. I think he is eactly what we need to pair up w/ Noah in the post and would likely come cheap enough for us throw some money at free agents after next season. He would also provide us with some insurance when reality sets in and most free agents resign with their current teams for max deals.
posted By Gar, 20 June 2009 4:42:52 PM
The Bulls need a big man! Forget these undersized PF's....go get Mullens!!!! Let him learn for a year or 2 and by then he will be at least decent, probably even better.
posted By vic, 21 June 2009 1:44:01 AM
don't get me wrong, i love hoopsworld. but how come i see only around 5 or so draftee names being mentioned as being possible targets for teams with picks 3-20s by all your immediate needs reviews. mullens, blair, harden, lawson, etc. LOL!!! i think we're zeroing on too few names here!!
posted By Toolatecrew, 21 June 2009 6:52:20 AM
I thought Skyler said the Bulls were "loaded at every position"....Oh no that was Memphis. LOL. Bulls should have traded some of their young stars before they got found out (looking at you Noah, TT, Deng, BG). by packing them, they could have got a legit star to pair with Rose this year. Too Bad.
posted By Hey Vic, 21 June 2009 6:54:33 AM
They must have been the draftees that were nice to them this year. You won't see Jennings being mentioned as a future star, just like Beasley wasn't last year. Those that are nice to HW will be repaid. Those that are not will be constantly insulted, regardless of skill (AI, T-MAC, OJ Mayo, Beasley etc.)
posted By Steve Kyler, 21 June 2009 6:59:09 AM
Thats total BS... but its interesting that your overlooking the fact that guys we are critical off are typically the guys not playing... get your facts straight about OJ and Mike Beasley... Since the draft we told you how much better OJ was, but that doesn't fit your agenda... Beasley was the most fined player in Miami HEAT history - so our questions about his maturity were not off base at all...
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