Woj: Melo should stay in NY, Bulls are more interested in avoid tax than winning

Man, respected NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski is just firing away on the Bulls org. This one comes out of nowhere. Also, a bath of cold water for anyone hoping Carmelo Anthony will be coming here.

Bulls management have a real brand problem. It seems like their reputation around the league isn't very good. No wonder why free agents don't choose to come here.

And Paxson seemed surprised and confused by it during his rare public appearance a couple weeks ago. Who is running this show and what are they doing about this?

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/carmel...he-should-never-leave-new-york-054123184.html

 

I've always liked Wojnarowski...good writer. Glad to see that he included Korver in his "talented players" category. Woj used him as a talented player the Bulls let go because of money, but I ought to be able to use him as an example of a talented free agent who chose Chicago. Fair's fair.

Seems to me that Wojnarowski doesn't think that Rose being out for the season should have any effect whatsoever onn the Bulls FO. Not a "Tanker," eh, Woj. Well, good for you.

This is an awful year to be a Bulls fan. The team was expected to contend, but isn't anymore and even the most basic stuff, like whether we want the team to win or lose, has become a controversial issue.

Sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield.

 

It's a better year than last year to be a Bulls fan. The Chairman isn't paying the tax.

 

If Melo insists on leaving... this works:
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=md9rezd

I would do it in a heartbeat. There's no reason to expect Melo to not be scoring over 25/game in 4 or 5 years.

 

How about this one?

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=khgq26l

Gives the Knicks a little salary relief, right? We'd have to throw in basically all our upcoming #1 draft picks to make this happen I imagine.

Rolling with Rose / Melo / Noah the next 3-4 years would be worth it.

I don't think NY is giving up Melo though.

 

The knicks would have to be on board with this trade as well. We would probably have to throw in a pick or two. Our #1 and Sacramento's would due. We would still have the Bobcats pick. The Knicks do not have a first round pick next summer.

I am on board for getting Melo. With Rose and Melo both here, teams can't double team both of them at once. Noah with his pick and roll would kill them! And if DJ is still here, he too would make the opposing team pay.

 

I like your trade even better. We keep Dunleavy.

I also agree with you that the Knicks wont try and trade him. That being said he can ask for a trade and specify which team he wants to go to.

 

You have a pretty sharp tongue. Going tongue in cheek this hard could do damage. Be careful out there.

 

I'm a "fan," though.

I can actually live with the not paying for championship caliber players, but at least I want an Ernie Banks type, to root for getting 500 homers. A guy who can put up 80 points if we let him shoot at will.

 

You are too easily pleased. I musta had you mixed up with someone else.

 

I'm a Cubs fan. I'm used to not contending. And an owner using the team as a tax write off (Wrigley).

 

http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2014/...fers-windy-city-would-guarantee-championship/

 

We've been discussing this possibility. Other rumors I've seen are:

Heat interested in Kirk. Not sure what we would want in return. I doubt they'd give up Chalmers, who has a similar salary. I don't see the Bulls taking on additional salary that might cost the Luxury Tax. Cap space for them, though. I'd actually strongly consider raking on Beasley. If they'd give us Cole, too, we could lose Boozer and not have a gaping hole in the rotation.

The Pelicans might trade one of Eric Gordon or Tyreke Evans for Boozer. Both Gordon and Evans are young and versatile players. Both are scorers. Tyreke has a PER over 18 as backup PG for them. I wanted him and Jason Thompson for Deng over the summer. Looks great in hindsight. Gordon is tiny for a SG at 6'3". Supposedly, the Pelicans don't see Gordon as their long term SG next to Jrue Holiday.

 

Kirk to GSW for Harrison Barnes?

Bulls probably want the cap space, though.

 

Is Barnes that bad?

 

Wrong question. Is Kirk that good?

Barnes is a marginal player in their rotation since they got Iggy. He's only 21. They seem to really want depth at PG. The new guards they got in trade (trade? what a concept!) aren't PGs.

 

Boozer to Phoenix for Okafor's expiring contract. Plus the Chairman gets to pocket the insurance payments for Okafor's injury.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/1/28/5353486/emeka-okafor-expiring-contract-suns-trade

 

from Twitter:

 

I don't think so. We may have slightly different opinions of how good/bad Kirk is, but none of us believes that he's a difference maker.

If odds are better than 50% that Barnes is a bust, I'd rather have the cap space. If there's a good chance that he'll play to his pedigree and be better than Butler, I'd trade Kirk for him in a heartbeat.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10375249/will-carmelo-anthony-sign-chicago-bulls-nba