NBA Free Agency/Offseason

[1908]

So the Bulls only have 2 million in cap room left? That means no Al Harrington unless they backload his contract. And I hear that Chandler is probably going to be traded? Who wants that contract.

The hot rumor is Tyson to the Hornets for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

 

Another possibility would be a sign and trade with Atlanta -- Tyson for Harrington.

[illiniguy]

So the Bulls only have 2 million in cap room left? That means no Al Harrington unless they backload his contract. And I hear that Chandler is probably going to be traded? Who wants that contract.

The hot rumor is Tyson to the Hornets for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

 

Another possibility would be a sign and trade with Atlanta -- Tyson for Harrington.

I would do that trade as I think that Smith is a player too.

[Wilson A2000]

Why would the Hornets wnat Chandler? A sign and trade for Harrington would cap a great week for the Bulls.

[1908]

Why would the Hornets wnat Chandler?

They need size and are looking to play an up-tempo style with Paul at the helm.

[Flames24Rulz]

Why would the Hornets wnat Chandler? A sign and trade for Harrington would cap a great week for the Bulls.

 

Agreed, I want Harrington.

[1908]

So the Bulls only have 2 million in cap room left? That means no Al Harrington unless they backload his contract. And I hear that Chandler is probably going to be traded? Who wants that contract.

The hot rumor is Tyson to the Hornets for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

 

Another possibility would be a sign and trade with Atlanta -- Tyson for Harrington.

I would do that trade as I think that Smith is a player too.

I doubt Smith gets much playing time from Skiles unless he works twice as hard on the boards and defensive end. But he'd be an improvement over Piatkowski at the end of the bench.

 

Brown's biggest value is his expiring contract, but he doesn't back down from anyone and is a vocal locker room guy -- a couple of intangibles the Bulls lost last year when they traded Davis.

[1908]

Lots of details from the Detroit News:

 

Detroit News[/url]"]The Bulls, who initially made no offer when general manager John Paxson and coach Scott Skiles came to visit Wallace on Saturday, apparently upped the ante considerably on Monday. They offered Wallace a four-year deal starting at $14 million, which would make the total value of the contract just under $60 million.

 

***

 

Pistons president Joe Dumars confirmed the news late Monday night, but didn’t want to make any comment. Wallace’s agent Arn Tellem and Chicago Bulls general manager John Paxson also confirmed the news.

 

***

 

It was still a tough blow for the Pistons. Not only are they losing Wallace, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, but Dumars also wasn’t able to work a sign-and-trade deal to get some sort of compensation for the loss.

 

“We tried to work out a couple of deals,” Wallace said. “But there was nothing that Joe felt would work. He didn’t just want to take back players that he didn’t want or players that he felt he was just going to have to turn around and move. They just couldn’t get the guys they wanted.”

 

One option the Pistons were hoping for didn’t materialize. They had hoped to maybe get Tyson Chandler back from Chicago as part of a sign-and-trade. However, it appears the Bulls are going to trade Chandler to the New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets in exchange for P.J. Brown. While Chandler has five years and $54 million left on his contract, Brown’s $8 million will come off the books after next season.

 

It was that deal that helped pave the way for Wallace’s signing.

[WindyCity]

Wow. Just got home to find out Big Ben and his fro were leaving Motown for my Bulls. This is exactly the move I was hoping the Bulls would make. Me very happy. :D :D :D

 

Thank you Pax!

 

// Can't wait for the Bears/Bulls/Illini to get started and help me forget about the '06 Cubs.

[da bears]

So the Bulls only have 2 million in cap room left? That means no Al Harrington unless they backload his contract. And I hear that Chandler is probably going to be traded? Who wants that contract.

The hot rumor is Tyson to the Hornets for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

 

Another possibility would be a sign and trade with Atlanta -- Tyson for Harrington.

I would do that trade as I think that Smith is a player too.

I doubt Smith gets much playing time from Skiles unless he works twice as hard on the boards and defensive end. But he'd be an improvement over Piatkowski at the end of the bench.

 

Brown's biggest value is his expiring contract, but he doesn't back down from anyone and is a vocal locker room guy -- a couple of intangibles the Bulls lost last year when they traded Davis.

 

That's a great point about Brown. He's gonna be a very good veteran prescence for this very young team, assuming this trade is gonna go down. Man, Paxson is a wizard. And I agree with your entire post from a page ago, ndistops.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Why would the Hornets wnat Chandler? A sign and trade for Harrington would cap a great week for the Bulls.

 

Agreed, I want Harrington.

 

Harrington would provde the offensive weapon that the Bulls are lacking, buthow much is he looking for? Would his presence combined with Wallace make extensions for the core difficult?

[Outshined_One]

So the Bulls only have 2 million in cap room left? That means no Al Harrington unless they backload his contract. And I hear that Chandler is probably going to be traded? Who wants that contract.

The hot rumor is Tyson to the Hornets for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

 

Another possibility would be a sign and trade with Atlanta -- Tyson for Harrington.

 

The most recent one I've been hearing is Chandler/Gordon for West/Smith.

 

It's an intriguing deal, needless to say.

[da bears]

So the Bulls only have 2 million in cap room left? That means no Al Harrington unless they backload his contract. And I hear that Chandler is probably going to be traded? Who wants that contract.

The hot rumor is Tyson to the Hornets for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

 

Another possibility would be a sign and trade with Atlanta -- Tyson for Harrington.

 

The most recent one I've been hearing is Chandler/Gordon for West/Smith.

 

It's an intriguing deal, needless to say.

 

Where'd you hear that? I dont know what I think about that deal.

[ChiCubsFan]

So the Bulls only have 2 million in cap room left? That means no Al Harrington unless they backload his contract. And I hear that Chandler is probably going to be traded? Who wants that contract.

The hot rumor is Tyson to the Hornets for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

 

Another possibility would be a sign and trade with Atlanta -- Tyson for Harrington.

 

The most recent one I've been hearing is Chandler/Gordon for West/Smith.

 

It's an intriguing deal, needless to say.

 

Where'd you hear that? I dont know what I think about that deal.

 

I think I would prefer Brown (and his expiring contract) and Smith or a sign and trade with Atlanta for Harrington instead of trading Gordon with Chandler for West and Smith.

[Outshined_One]

Where'd you hear that? I dont know what I think about that deal.

 

It's one of the many Bulls/Hornets trade rumors/ideas that have been flying around the internet recently. I'm not putting a whole lot of stock into it, but it's interesting to think about.

[Brian]

NBA.com and ESPN.com are carrying the Tyson to Hornets deal.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2508889

[wolf stansson]

NBA.com and ESPN.com are carrying the Tyson to Hornets deal.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2508889

Still a rumor though for those of you who are to lazy to open the link:

They've managed to strip Detroit of its beloved Ben Wallace, but the Chicago Bulls can't quite claim to be the surprise team of this fledging NBA offseason.

 

Especially not if the Bulls complete the trade they're discussing with the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.

 

NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com on Monday night that the Bulls were close to shipping Tyson Chandler to the Hornets for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

[Mizzou]

The Bulls signing Wallace is the equivalent of the Cubs signing... who?

 

I ask cause I'm an admitted fairweather Bulls fan who hasn't really cared much about the NBA since MJ retired.

[ChiCubsFan]

The Bulls signing Wallace is the equivalent of the Cubs signing... who?

 

I ask cause I'm an admitted fairweather Bulls fan who hasn't really cared much about the NBA since MJ retired.

 

Tough to really compare, but the first thing that jumped into my mind is Adam Dunn. Some things he's one of the best in the league at (Dunn-hitting homers/getting on base, Wallace-playing defense/rebounding) but somethings that he'll be one of the worst in the league at (Dunn-hitting for average/striking out/defense, Wallace-scoring/free throw shooting). IMO the strenghts of both players far out weigh their weaknesses and make them both very valuable players.

[RynoRules]

NBA.com and ESPN.com are carrying the Tyson to Hornets deal.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2508889

 

Brilliant, simply brilliant.

 

Standing "O" for Pax. Amazing job.

 

=D>

 

PJ Brown is another perfect addition. He can give you 15 solid minutes a night, is a good and physical defender, and has always had a good mid-range (15-17 feet) jumper. Of course, he's a coach's dream and a locker room leader. When he, Wallace and Noc are on the floor together, no one will dare drive the lane.

Edited July 4, 2006 by RynoRules

[RynoRules]

And for those of you trying to figure why the Hornets would want to do the deal, consider that they have drafted Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons, and signed Peja and Jackson. They are buiding some real depth there.

[RynoRules]

Well yeah, no one is trying to say Wallace is worthless and shouldn't be in the league.

No, but some are significantly downplaying his value. He's no Tim Duncan, but he provides more overrall value than say, Ilgauskas.

 

Jealousy is a terrible thing, is it not? :wink:

[TB_11]

For those that are down or skeptical on the Wallace signing, I'm interested to hear what you would have rather seen Paxson do with the $16-$17M in salary cap room he had this offseason.

[cubweiser03]

Not to belabor the point, but it isnt a fatal flaw for a championship team to have a player who is not an offensive threat. Many championship teams have either a PF or C who isnt much on the offensive end. The Bulls now need a PF, since the C is out, to be able to score some points and be a threat. Trading Chander is logical and a great salary dump. PJ Brown does not offer this offensive dimension that is needed but thats short sided (again salary dump). Tyrus will be the one, but its too soon to expect that in 06.

 

The current team although good and you'd expect them to do more as they get more experience, wasnt going to take it to the next level and be championship material. The $15M on Ben although a lot, is a good risk.

[Derwood]

Not to belabor the point, but it isnt a fatal flaw for a championship team to have a player who is not an offensive threat.

 

Like the championship Pistons with Wallace?

 

Or the championship Bulls with Rodman?

[rawaction]

I was skeptical about Wallace, especially at 5 years/65-75M. A 4-year deal makes a huge difference though. Someone said Ben is not a "superstar", but isn't it true that he makes his teammates better and is a difference maker? I think it will make more of a difference with the youth of this Bulls team.

 

The Chandler for PJ and JR deal would make this a great offseason. Pax may have come up with a perfect combination of veteran leadership (Wallace, Brown), players in their prime years (Gordon, Nocioni, Hinrich) and guys with huge upside (Thomas, Thabo, Deng).

 

With this move, the Pistons are coming back to the pack in the East. Shaq looked like he was about done in the playoffs, which would bring Miami back to the pack. Right now, depending on who the Pistons go out and get and the Heat's health.....the East is a tight race between Detroit, Miami, Cleveland, New Jersey and Chicago. I can easily see the Bulls as the #1 seed in the East next year.