Two guys who must have supported Thibs. They'll be better off for it. Also, we can't afford them if we're not going to pay the LT. "I'll pay for a winner" - my ass. If the organization believes in Tim Floyd 2.0, they should pony up. And I don't think Noah can pass a physical...
It would be interesting how much Gasol like Chicago. Perhaps he could lure his brother to Chicago? Noah and Gibson trades likely will be salary saving moves....?
If the Bulls can maintain their current salary level while signing Jimmy, profit increases by about $14M. Boozer's contract expires.
Switch to "win later" mode. It will explain the likely regression now that Thibs is gone and will buy plenty of years for GarPax and Vinny Del Hoiberg. Jen Swanson also will be able to dictate minutes without any pushback. That's important. McDemott and Niko can get plenty of minutes now that the Bulls are not championship contenders. That should make people happy.
Ralph said (At realgm) http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1390233&start=20#start_here
If as some have reported, Noah has vitally no cartilage left in the knee, the Bulls will have as much success trading Noah as the Blazers had in trading Brandon Roy...which is to say, none.
I said all seas on that the Bulls will trade Gibson. Now I see why they didn't at least during the season. Noah's knees are gone. Now, they can trade Gibson, get another big via FA and go from there. I would be very surprised if Noah is traded.
On the VERY optimistic assumption that you could trade Gibson without taking back ANY salary, the Bulls still wouldn't be a FA player for a big who's as good as Gibson. Rose, Noah, Gasol, Mirotic, Hinrich, Snell, McDermott, Butler's $3mil qualifying offer, Bairstow's $0.845mil, cap holds of approx $3mil and Hamilton's $0.333mil amortization add up to a combined total of about $60.5mil vs a projected $67mil cap. That's not much left and doesn't consider the possibility that Butler signs an early offer sheet from another team (the 1st-year salary of the offer sheet immediately replaces Butler's $3mil qualifying offer as his cap hold). From where I sit, improving this team via trades and free agency this summer is going to be very, very difficult. Young players who are already on the roster (Mirotic, McDermott and Snell) need to come up big or the Bulls may slide back some. Wish I could be more optimistic.
According to Cowley, Taj is seriously angry about Thibs' firing. That may be a reason they'll look to dump him.
Good article I read about that just this morning: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ayers-should-be-top-priority-for-fred-hoiberg
McDermott and Snell have to improve. Knowing how the Bulls operate, money will trump basketball decisions and DunVP won't be re-signed. Mirotic shot .405, Snell .429, and McMorrison .406. Lights out!
The Bulls didn't rely on him the next season as a key player. The Bulls went cheap with Rip at SG. Another flaming bag of dogshit left on Thibs' front porch.