<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>By K.C. JohnsonTribune staff reporterJuly 5, 2007, 11:21 PM CDTThe Bulls brought unrestricted free agent Joe Smith to the Berto Center on Thursday to sell their franchise and philosophy and, by the way, hint at throwing some millions around.Despite a transcontinental flight to woo Andres Nocioni personally in his native Argentina, all indications are the Memphis Grizzlies aren't doing enough of the latter with the Bulls' restricted free agent.Barring an unforeseen change of philosophy, league sources said the Grizzlies, who have made an verbal offer not much better than the Bulls' written offer, wouldn't increase their pursuit of Nocioni.While nothing is official until Nocioni signs, all signs point to Nocioni accepting Bulls general manager John Paxson's five-year deal worth near $38 million, perhaps within days.When Paxson took the rare move of proactively offering a restricted free agent that deal, which runs counter to Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's philosophy of not setting the market, it merely backed up his season-long stance that Nocioni is valuable and needs to be re-signed.Even if the Grizzlies reached a $46 million offer that was reported erroneously in the Argentine media, the Bulls would have seven days to match because they still own his rights.A $46 million offer might give Paxson pause. As of late Thursday, however, all indications were that the Grizzlies, who also are considering Cavaliers' restricted free agent Anderson Varejao, were prepared to move on.The Bulls were pleased that Smith flew in from Phoenix to meet with the coaching staff and Paxson at the Berto Center. The 12-year NBA veteran averaged 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in 65 games with the Nuggets and 76ers last season and is one of their main targets in free agency.Sixers general manager Billy King has said publicly that re-signing the 6-foot-10-inch forward is a priority, and Smith, who played at Maryland, has a comfort level in the East.But the Bulls, who likely would have to spend most or all of the midlevel salary cap exception of roughly $5.5 million to sign Smith, sold their vision and opportunity to win during a lunch with Smith, Paxson and coach Scott Skiles.A similar recruiting pitch will follow Friday with Nets big man and Bulls-killer Mikki Moore. Saturday, Lakers center-forward Chris Mihm, who missed all of last season following ankle surgery, will visit the Berto Center.The Bulls have the midlevel exception as well as the biannual veteran's exception of $1.83 million no matter what happens with Nocioni. But re-signing Nocioni and seeing how that contract is structured would help with some unrestricted free agent decisions and remains the priority.It appears less so for the Grizzlies.kcjohnson@tribune.com</div>[url="http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-070705bulls,1,2443522.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines"]LINK[/url]<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>By Ronald TilleryContactJuly 6, 2007Once a full-scale pursuit, the Grizzlies' attempt to acquire restricted free agent Andres Nocioni now appears dead in the water.Nocioni likely will re-sign with the Chicago Bulls because the Grizzlies verbally indicated an offer that is in the same neighborhood as what the Bulls are ready to pay in order to keep the 6-7 forward.Chicago's offer on the table is a five-year, $38 million deal. It is believed the Griz came in lower -- closer to a figure starting at about the mid-level exception ($5.5 million).Typically, teams would wait before deciding whether to match an official offer tendered to its free agent. Because of Nocioni's restricted status, the Bulls could match an offer from another team within seven days.The proactive move by Bulls general manager John Paxson indicates how much he values Nocioni.Griz general manager Chris Wallace insisted Wednesday that the Griz hadn't tendered an offer to any free agents, contradicting an Argentinian newspaper report that said Memphis offered Nocioni a $46 million deal.The Griz are expected to have up to $9 million in salary cap room to spend on a free agent. Milwaukee and Charlotte are the only other teams with money to spend that is more than the mid-level exception.The Griz have also expressed interest in Cleveland restricted free agent Anderson Varejao, and are said to be working on contingency plans now that a Nocioni deal is unlikely.Wallace, though, traveled to Argentina earlier this week to meet with Nocioni. Griz coach Marc Iavaroni and franchise player Pau Gasol phoned in to help sell Nocioni on Memphis.Although teams can't sign free agents until Wednesday, Nocioni can re-sign with his current team (Chicago) at any time.In 53 games last season, Nocioni averaged 14.1 points and 5.7 rebounds.-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353</div>LINKIm bitter sweet about this. This means will are going to take our attention towards Darko and Varejao, which both I would rather have than Nocioni...but then again we lose a option in free agency...Nocioni is better than nothing. I guess we'll see where it goes from here for the Griz.
Thats good news for me.. I didnt wanna see noc walk and we get nothing . Noc would of been missed on the bulls
It's official. Nocioni to resign.http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Andres Nocioni has agreed to a five-year contract worth approximately $38 million, keeping the popular forward with the team that vowed to re-sign him.The contract can't be signed until the free-agent moratorium ends July 11. But general manager John Paxson confirmed a deal is in place. Sources told the Tribune that the contract includes a team option for a sixth season.</div>
Like I said before, im bitter sweet about this. This means we're probably going to go after Varejao or Milicic(hell, maybe even Gerald Wallace since we tried to sign Nocioni). Id rather have those three than Nocioni(not saying Nocioni isnt good, cause he is but I personaly like the other three better). But then again, we lose another option for free agency.
Well I'm hoping the Bulls do sign another big, be it Chris Mihm or Joe Smith. This allows PJ Brown to stroll on down to Dallas.
Paxson said from the begining he wasnt going to let noc go and I believed him. It would have been a very stupid mistake. He is our bench and a great player. I'm sure on most nba teams he could be a hell of a starter and put up 20 per game or near along with great defense and rebounding.
