<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This is going to be a tough season for me. I believe the Bulls are going to be very good. I've already said they could win 55 to 60 games. So why would you want to make any trades with that kind of team? Well, with a half-dozen new rotation players, there are no assurances that the Bulls will be as good as I believe. And it's not like the main changes—adding Ben Wallace, P.J. Brown and two rookies—will add any scoring in a league that is tilting to offense. So how about obtaining Corey Maggette for Luol Deng? OK, OK, stay with me here, as I often have to counsel. The Bulls would have to add more to such a deal, certainly Michael Sweetney, who sounds like he's on the way out, anyway, with questions already being raised about conditioning, his weight and overall health. And even then the Bulls would have to add something else to that kind of deal because Maggette makes $7 million, more than Deng and Sweetney combined. But it would be something worth looking at for both sides if they can find a way. And money is the issue, especially for the Bulls. It's beginning to look as if Kirk Hinrich will not get his contract extension this fall and will become a restricted free agent after the season. That's not very risky for the Bulls because they can match any offer. The problem for the Bulls is that Andres Nocioni's contract expires after this season, plus Ben Gordon and Deng are eligible for extensions. With Wallace on the books at an average of $15 million a season, it seems unlikely the Bulls could re-sign all four players in their core and avoid the league's luxury tax. The Bulls have committed to not exceeding the tax level, like every team outside New York. Hinrich is probably the No. 1 priority because he has a chance to move into an upper echelon with his selection to the U.S. national team. Figure Nocioni is equally irreplaceable given the unique way he plays and his increasing production. He could become one of the most sought after free agents. So the decision could come down to Gordon or Deng. Though I've long suggested Gordon in various deals given his size limitations, he does have a vital NBA skill: He can shoot and score. And he can do so effortlessly. I long felt he wouldn't fit in a backcourt with Hinrich, but the addition of Thabo Sefolosha could prove crucial. If Sefolosha can be the big, defensive combo guard the team is missing, Gordon would be a keeper. That said, I believe Deng will become a very good player, a versatile, hard-working forward. But if the Bulls have a flaw, it still remains scoring. Maggette, the Fenwick High School product, is a 20-point scorer. He may not be long for the Clippers, where he mostly is used as a sixth man. Maggette has chafed in that role and is not likely to remain satisfied. The Clippers entertained talks over the summer of a trade for Golden State's Mike Dunleavy. I'd take Deng over Dunleavy. Maybe the Clippers would too. And if the Bulls were going to move Deng, it would be better to deal him to a Western Conference team. Though Maggette's $7 million seems like a lot to us mere mortals, it is a modest NBA salary and far less than any of the Bulls' four potential free agents is seeking. It seems like something the Bulls would at least have to look at before finances interfere with their dreams. Who said I couldn't come up with a deal before the first exhibition game?</div> Source Our need for scoring is drastically overrated. We averaged around 96 points a game last season, and did not lose any key offensive players, on the contrary we added a few (Sefolosha, Thomas, Brown, etc.). Unless Chandler was the big piece in our offense that made everything run (haha) I don’t see where this “bulls can’t score” idea is coming from. I would not trade Deng for Maggette.
I agree completely, isn't this the same guy who always produces ridiculous articles? But on a different subject within the article...who do you guys think will be the man to leave the team? I know you can't say much because we still have them and it all depends on how this season goes but as of now who's on their way out?
Why is everyone so concerned with our scoring? That's not going to be an issue at all if you ask me. Gordon will be a near 20ppg scorer this year, something we haven't had in a while. Hinrich will be getting 15-17ppg, Deng and Noc will each probably get 13-15ppg as well. Scoring is the least of our worries. We have a bunch of people who can do it. I think the thing people overrate is our need for that 20+ppg scorer, and we already have him in Ben Gordon. The kid could be one of the best scorers in the league if learned some consistency, which I think will come this year. With all our players getting better, I don't see scoring being a problem whatsoever.
<div class="quote_poster">Bulls=Amazing Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree completely, isn't this the same guy who always produces ridiculous articles? But on a different subject within the article...who do you guys think will be the man to leave the team? I know you can't say much because we still have them and it all depends on how this season goes but as of now who's on their way out?</div>I'm not too concerned about anyone leaving. In my opinion, it is feasible for us to hold onto all of them. None of them should be asking for anything outrageous, and beyond that PJ Brown comes off the books this year, which is a nice chunk of change. I don't think holding onto them will be an issue, but if one were to go, it'll be Deng. We have Sefolosha and Tyrus Thomas who can each play his position. If Gordon goes, that's our best scorer leaving, and that's not something that we should allow to happen.
LOL! F Corey!!!! There is no way im giving up an all purpose player for a 1D player. Corey would have to prove to me that he can do more than score. hes great at 1 thing and thats drawing fouls. the Bulls had no problem scoring last year. When you have Noch,Gordon,Hinrich,Deng putting up 15-20 points a game. where is the need for scoring? we have scoring coming from all angles. There is no way Corey for deng sits right with me.
I dont mind this trade. I don't think we can seriously hang on to everyone and I think Thomas will evolve into a 3, one that could be more promising than Deng.
i dont think we need more scoring from our PG's, SG's, and SF's but i think we need more scoring at PF.
i can imagine gordon being the next jordan for chicago in a couple of years............nah, im just playin with ya. But i definately can imagine him being the next kobe. I mean look at it, gordon and kobe were both big 4th quarter players. They r both good at hitting important shots. lol imagine gordon averagin 25+ per game.........with deng, or deng the scottie roll(maybe even thomas) and benny boy doin rodman work. expect big things for da chi in the next couple of years
Corey Maggette?? The injury-proned Corey Maggette?? Why are the Bulls even worried about scoring on offense? The Bulls have one of the best perimeter defenses in the NBA and also got better with the addition of Ben Wallace. PJ Brown is better than Tyson Chandler at scoring anyways so they have improved. The Bulls will do good.
