<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">[IMGL]http://realgm.com/images/nba/4.2/profiles/photos/2006/Paxon_John_chi.jpg[/IMGL] John Paxson raised the stakes for the Bulls with his deal this week to bring defensive powerhouse Ben Wallace to Chicago. The Bulls' general manager finally talked about it, albeit in general terms, Thursday after the team's first day of mini-camp at the Berto Center. "I hope expectations are high," Paxson said of the Bulls' elevation from playoff contenders to championship contenders. "We have big expectations for ourselves." In accordance with league rules, Paxson could not speak directly of the contract Wallace is expected to sign Wednesday, which will pay the former Detroit Piston $60 million over four years. Nor could Paxson discuss the trade of Tyson Chandler to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets for veteran P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith. But he didn't hide his enthusiasm for the 2006-07 season and also signaled the likelihood of another acquisition sometime after the salary cap is announced next week. Wallace, Brown and Smith will be newcomers along with Viktor Khryapa of the Trail Blazers and first-round draft picks Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha. "I think it's going to be a great training camp when we get around to it in October," Paxson said. "We're going to have guys battling. I think they're going to see we've made a commitment to upgrading our professionalism, our talent base, our athleticism, our length. "It gives me a chance to evaluate what the next step will be. Sometimes you can't do everything all at once. Down the road we'll be able to maybe make another move that helps us out even more."</div> Source I am not so sure about how far down the road Paxson is talking about in this article. I am guessing it might be during the trade deadline, or next off-season, but right now I do not think we have enough cap room to make that big a signing that will further alter our team dramatically. There are no big names we could acquire through a sign and trade that would not come with a big price tag either. Well Paxson has been a busy man this off-season so nothing would surprise me.
Like I said in an earlier post, Paxson is searching for another player and that player is a post-player im not sure who he will get but our main goal this off-season i believe was to get a post-player and he has not gotten one. To me that was our biggest problem this season nobody in the paint that would could score. This problem to me was more of a problem then the lack of a true center. Paxson is not done making moves this off-season. I expect a post-player b4 the season starts.
Who do you think he is targeting then Tarus? I mean there are no real post threats left on the market right now, outside of Wilcox who’s price tag is way to large. I really do not see anyone on the market right now who would help our team, and all the big men on the trade block seem to be asking for too much money. Maybe Lorenzo Wright from Memphis would be a good fit.
They only new acquisition I see is before the trade deadline. Like BKS said, there aren't any low post scoring players in the market right now, Wilcox is the only one, but wants way too much money.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">Who do you think he is targeting then Tarus?</div> like i said in my post above im not sure who but i know he is going to get one.
Paxson thinks he can get anyone....all year long we've been hearing about these superstars "supposedly" going to Chicago. And only one happened.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting slpnsld23:</div><div class="quote_post">Paxson thinks he can get anyone....all year long we've been hearing about these superstars "supposedly" going to Chicago. And only one happened.</div> Paxson is not the one feeding information to the media saying he is going to get all these superstars. Most of the rumors you are talking about where fabricated by Steve Smith and the rest of the Chicago media. The two rumors I think where true where the Wallace one (which he already accomplished) and the Kevin Garnett rumors.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting slpnsld23:</div><div class="quote_post">Paxson thinks he can get anyone....all year long we've been hearing about these superstars "supposedly" going to Chicago. And only one happened.</div> Um the officail trading has'nt begun and we've got 1. Got rid of some dead weight and got who he wanted in the draft. He is basically getting what he wants. There is no "think" in it. Its happening right before our eyes. Why are you hating on Pax because he is trying to make the Bulls a better team?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Because he is moaning about Wallace leaving.</div> Yeah, the hate fest is pretty obvious. Anyhow, I really don't think he needs to address anything right now. Not only that but I don't know who he could get. Maybe he's thinking about moving JR Smith and one of our plethora of SF's.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">Paxson is not the one feeding information to the media saying he is going to get all these superstars. Most of the rumors you are talking about where fabricated by Steve Smith and the rest of the Chicago media.</div> that is very true lol. Every other week it was someone new from him. Shawn Marion, KG, Wallace, Allen Iverson, Paul Piece, Ray Allen etc.
Maybe he's hinting trading J.R Smith when he is eligible? They have a log jam at the guard position, and J.R Smith's attitude may be a problem. Since he was just traded to Chicago, the Bulls have to wait 2 months before being allowed to move him again. Maybe J.R Smith will be traded for a scoring big man?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DIRK4L1FE:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe he's hinting trading J.R Smith when he is eligible? They have a log jam at the guard position, and J.R Smith's attitude may be a problem. Since he was just traded to Chicago, the Bulls have to wait 2 months before being allowed to move him again. Maybe J.R Smith will be traded for a scoring big man?</div> I'm not sure you may be right, but I think that rule only applies to free agents signed.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting slpnsld23:</div><div class="quote_post">Paxson thinks he can get anyone....all year long we've been hearing about these superstars "supposedly" going to Chicago. And only one happened.</div> Hmmm..getting a little sore because of losing Big Ben eh? I don't know if they want to trade Smith though. They need a backup or starter for the SG position(If little Ben wants to stay as 6th man).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Franchise4Ever:</div><div class="quote_post"> I don't know if they want to trade Smith though. They need a backup or starter for the SG position(If little Ben wants to stay as 6th man).</div> I am not so sure about that. Although, I would love to see Smith reach his full potential in Chicago I think if he does not get with the program quick he will be gone. We already have Thabo Sefolosha to back up Ben Gordon at shooting guard, and Gordon has already been named the starter by Paxson going into next season (he said Ben?s our starter during the draft).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting slpnsld23:</div><div class="quote_post">Paxson thinks he can get anyone....all year long we've been hearing about these superstars "supposedly" going to Chicago. And only one happened.</div> Yawn. Your ignorance is truly amazing. First of all, McHale and Paxson have both said Garnett was NOT going to happen. Media reports the opposite. People speculated Marion rumors. Paxson and the Suns GM said otherwise. Its the MEDIA who is speculating who they are interested in. Paxson got the one guy he was open about wanting. But that's ok. Only look at half the picture to promote your agenda. The rest of us can see right thru you.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Franchise4Ever:</div><div class="quote_post">Hmmm..getting a little sore because of losing Big Ben eh? I don't know if they want to trade Smith though. They need a backup or starter for the SG position(If little Ben wants to stay as 6th man).</div> Thabo.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Vintage:</div><div class="quote_post">Thabo.</div> Sorry guys I wasn't thinking. I forgot all about Thabo. Still though is he "ready" for that? To just jump behind Gordon?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Franchise4Ever:</div><div class="quote_post">Sorry guys I wasn't thinking. I forgot all about Thabo. Still though is he "ready" for that? To just jump behind Gordon?</div> Thabo is more ready than Smith would be. Thabo played in what many consider to be the best league outside the NBA. Sefolosha is also 22 years old he has a very polished defensive game. Although, his jumper can use work he has great leaping ability and ability to lash to the basket.
