<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">Bulls ink Wallace to 4 year deal.</span>For the last six years, Ben Wallace has been the face of the Detroit Pistons. No more.A league source said Monday night that Wallace has told the Pistons he has accepted an offer from the Chicago Bulls.While exact details are unavailable, the offer is thought to be a four-year, $52 million deal.A deal can't become official until July 12, when the salary cap is set for the 2006-07 season and exact contract values can be computed.The move will come as a shock to Pistons fans who thought the chances Wallace would bolt from Detroit were slim to none.The Pistons came out of the gate Saturday offering Wallace a whopping four-year, $48 million deal, but they told the four-time defensive player of the year that it was their final offer.The signing clearly upgrades the Bulls' front court, albeit at an exorbitant price. The Bulls will have to use roughly $13.5 million of their projected $16.7 million in cap space to secure Wallace.However, Wallace adds the veteran toughness and defensive presence the Bulls felt they lacked up front.Look for the Bulls to now explore trade scenarios involving Tyson Chandler.One potential opportunity, according to sources, is New Orleans, which is mulling a Chandler-for-P. J. Brown swap. Brown is in the last year of his contract, which would give the Bulls even more cap relief next season.The Bulls also have explored Chandler trade scenarios with the Hawks (via an Al Harrington sign-and-trade) and the Warriors.The move puts the Pistons in a difficult position.They lose Wallace for nothing and don't have anything more than the $5.1 million mid-level exception to offer to potential replacements.There are a few starting center-caliber free agents out there, such as Joel Przybilla and Nazr Mohammed, but none who can give the Pistons what Wallace did.Instead, the Pistons may opt to beef up their backcourt and to move to a more up-tempo style with Rasheed Wallace at five and Antonio McDyess at the four.Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2508742Great move by the bulls. They are starting to build that championship caliber team.
Damn what a big move for the Bulls... looks like Pistons are gonna start falling apart now, and like you said, the Bulls are only getting much better.
Cleveland will still win their division -- and people are starting to overrate the Chicago Bulls, i dont really care if they got Ben Walllace or what, you still don't know if they will be that dominated
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xpostxscript @ Jul 3 2006, 11:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Cleveland will still win their division -- and people are starting to overrate the Chicago Bulls, i dont really care if they got Ben Walllace or what, you still don't know if they will be that dominated</div>They are a sleeper team in my mind. On their way. Not a powerhouse though.
Why, John, why???? This guy is old, he's just as good as Chandler, he has no offense, he can't shoot free throws. Why did you do this??? We've got Greg Oden in 2007 Why did you do this??? You did such a beatiful job re-building this team. The dynasty was only 3 years away!! Why, why, why??????I don't like this at all. Now how are we supposed to lock up Hinrich, Gordon, Chapu, and Deng??
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrianUrlacher54 @ Jul 4 2006, 12:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why, John, why???? This guy is old, he's just as good as Chandler, he has no offense, he can't shoot free throws. Why did you do this??? We've got Greg Oden in 2007 Why did you do this??? You did such a beatiful job re-building this team. The dynasty was only 3 years away!! Why, why, why??????I don't like this at all. Now how are we supposed to lock up Hinrich, Gordon, Chapu, and Deng??</div>Believe me, you won't be like this during the season when you have one of the best defenses in the league. Gordon, Deng, Wallaca, Hinrich. Star studded lineup that is still young. Wallace gives the veteran leadership.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrianUrlacher54 @ Jul 4 2006, 12:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why, John, why???? This guy is old, he's just as good as Chandler, he has no offense, he can't shoot free throws. Why did you do this??? We've got Greg Oden in 2007 Why did you do this??? You did such a beatiful job re-building this team. The dynasty was only 3 years away!! Why, why, why??????I don't like this at all. Now how are we supposed to lock up Hinrich, Gordon, Chapu, and Deng??</div> JUST AS GOOD AS CHANDLER? Are you on crack? Big Ben is a beast in the paint. Theyre numbers dont even compare. 4 time DPOY also. He can rebound and block dominantly. His defense is a great game changer and so is his hustle. Big Ben has also become a better scorer. 7 ppg isnt bad. He is also a lot more durable and plays a lot more minutes than Tyson. Your not getting Oden anymore. This has been one of their best moves not worst.400th post!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Pistons add Mohammed to try to fill Wallace's voidESPN.com news servicesFree agent center Nazr Mohammed of the Spurs has agreed to a five-year, $30 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher is reporting.Nazr MohammedMohammedTerms were unavailable. Mohammed replaces Ben Wallace, who told the team Monday that he was leaving to join the Chicago Bulls.Wallace, who agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal with Chicago, helped Detroit advance to four straight conference finals -- the first team to do so since the Bulls of the early 1990s.Mohammed started 30 games last season for the Spurs, averaging 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound center most likely will replace Wallace in the starting lineup, allowing Rasheed Wallace to remain a power forward.Mohammed, who turns 29 on Sept. 5, probably will not be able to rebound, block shots and provide energy as Ben Wallace did -- but he will cost about $9 million less next season.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2509256
This guys got some pretty big shoes to fill over in Detroit... Wallace was the basis of that strong D.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GotSkillz52 @ Jul 4 2006, 08:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrianUrlacher54 @ Jul 4 2006, 12:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why, John, why???? This guy is old, he's just as good as Chandler, he has no offense, he can't shoot free throws. Why did you do this??? We've got Greg Oden in 2007 Why did you do this??? You did such a beatiful job re-building this team. The dynasty was only 3 years away!! Why, why, why??????I don't like this at all. Now how are we supposed to lock up Hinrich, Gordon, Chapu, and Deng??</div> JUST AS GOOD AS CHANDLER? Are you on crack? Big Ben is a beast in the paint. Theyre numbers dont even compare. 4 time DPOY also. He can rebound and block dominantly. His defense is a great game changer and so is his hustle. Big Ben has also become a better scorer. 7 ppg isnt bad. He is also a lot more durable and plays a lot more minutes than Tyson. Your not getting Oden anymore. This has been one of their best moves not worst.400th post!</div>Well where do we get the dough to lock up Gordon, Hinrich, Duhon, Chapu, and Deng now??
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrianUrlacher54 @ Jul 4 2006, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GotSkillz52 @ Jul 4 2006, 08:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrianUrlacher54 @ Jul 4 2006, 12:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why, John, why???? This guy is old, he's just as good as Chandler, he has no offense, he can't shoot free throws. Why did you do this??? We've got Greg Oden in 2007 Why did you do this??? You did such a beatiful job re-building this team. The dynasty was only 3 years away!! Why, why, why??????I don't like this at all. Now how are we supposed to lock up Hinrich, Gordon, Chapu, and Deng??</div> JUST AS GOOD AS CHANDLER? Are you on crack? Big Ben is a beast in the paint. Theyre numbers dont even compare. 4 time DPOY also. He can rebound and block dominantly. His defense is a great game changer and so is his hustle. Big Ben has also become a better scorer. 7 ppg isnt bad. He is also a lot more durable and plays a lot more minutes than Tyson. Your not getting Oden anymore. This has been one of their best moves not worst.400th post!</div>Well where do we get the dough to lock up Gordon, Hinrich, Duhon, Chapu, and Deng now??</div>The bulls would probably prefer Hinrich over Gordon so he might be shipped out. These other players dont need and dont deserve huge contracts anyways. Paxson will find a way to keep the valuables.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrianUrlacher54 @ Jul 4 2006, 04:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GotSkillz52 @ Jul 4 2006, 08:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrianUrlacher54 @ Jul 4 2006, 12:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why, John, why???? This guy is old, he's just as good as Chandler, he has no offense, he can't shoot free throws. Why did you do this??? We've got Greg Oden in 2007 Why did you do this??? You did such a beatiful job re-building this team. The dynasty was only 3 years away!! Why, why, why??????I don't like this at all. Now how are we supposed to lock up Hinrich, Gordon, Chapu, and Deng??</div> JUST AS GOOD AS CHANDLER? Are you on crack? Big Ben is a beast in the paint. Theyre numbers dont even compare. 4 time DPOY also. He can rebound and block dominantly. His defense is a great game changer and so is his hustle. Big Ben has also become a better scorer. 7 ppg isnt bad. He is also a lot more durable and plays a lot more minutes than Tyson. Your not getting Oden anymore. This has been one of their best moves not worst.400th post!</div>Well where do we get the dough to lock up Gordon, Hinrich, Duhon, Chapu, and Deng now??</div>Well, seeing how Kwame Brown got 7 million last seasonConsidering the rate that contracts are going these days... Gordon will cost at least 10 million (per year), Hinrich will cost at least 9 million, Duhon at least 5 million, Chapu (I'm guessing Nocioni) at least 6 million, and Deng about 7.5 million... 37.5 million isn't too bad, paired with Big Ben's 14, 51.5 million will still be under the salary cap except the only money left will be MLE and LLE to sign the bench basically.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bulls to deal Chandler to Hornets for Brown, SmithBy Marc SteinESPN.comThe Chicago Bulls and New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Wednesday reached a verbal agreement on the widely expected trade that will send Bulls center Tyson Chandler to the Hornets for veteran forward P.J. Brown and swingman J.R. Smith.Tyson ChandlerCenterChicago BullsProfile2006 SEASON STATISTICSGM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%79 5.3 9.0 1.0 .565 .503NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that the players involved have been notified that the deal will officially go through July 12, which is the first day NBA teams can officially complete signings and trades after the league announces the salary cap for the 2006-07 season.The ability to deal away Chandler, who has five years and $54 million left on his contract, was crucial for the Bulls in their pursuit of Ben Wallace. They likely couldn't have offered Wallace as much as they did -- nearly $60 million over four years -- without receiving Brown's much friendlier contract in return.The willingness to take on Chandler's contract, meanwhile, represents the third bold move from the traditionally quiet Hornets in the space of a week, after years of criticism endured by Hornets owner George Shinn for his reluctance to spend."It's my understanding that the trade is going to happen," said Mark Bartelstein, Brown's agent. "P.J. is very excited. He feels like the Bulls have an opportunity to compete for a championship. He really enjoyed his time with the Hornets, but he has so many fond memories of his days in Miami and contending every year that Chicago is a really good situation for him to get back to."New Orleans/Oklahoma City commenced its aggressive summer makeover by offering Peja Stojakovic a five-year deal worth more than $60 million to entice the sharpshooting former All-Star to leave the Indiana Pacers. That was Saturday.On Sunday, Shinn followed the Stojakovic coup by sanctioning a three-year commitment worth more than $15 million to Memphis Grizzlies guard Bobby Jackson.The venerable Brown, who turns 37 in October, has only one season left on his contract at $8 million. Swapping Brown and the out-of-favor Smith for Chandler means New Orleans/Oklahoma City has committed to well over $120 million in new contracts since free agency began Saturday at 12:01 a.m.It adds up to the most unexpected outlay ever seen from Shinn, even more unexpected than the big contracts he awarded Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn in the club's Charlotte days. Those moves were contract extensions. The Hornets have never been known for making offseason splashes such as these.Yet this deal holds obvious appeal on both sides.Hornets coach Byron Scott, himself the recipient of a three-year contract extension just before the draft, wants to play an up-tempo game and will inevitably see the more athletic Chandler, at 7-foot-1 and turning 24 in October, as a better fit than Brown alongside Rookie of the Year point guard Chris Paul, Stojakovic and power forward David West.The trade makes even more sense for the Bulls. They don't want to play two non-scorers together (Chandler and Wallace) and moving out Chandler's expensive contract for Brown's expiring deal makes it much easier to absorb Wallace's deal.Brown, furthermore, is regarded as one of the best locker-room influences in the league and, along with Wallace, would provide legitimate size ... as well as the veteran know-how lacking in Chicago since the breakup of Michael Jordan's Bulls after their sixth and final championship in 1998.Smith has at least three players ahead of him in Chicago's swing rotation -- Andres Nocioni, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng -- but the 20-year-old has attracted significant trade interest since falling out of Scott's rotation halfway through the season. Smith, then, figures to be a valuable trade chip for the Bulls if he can't crack coach Scott Skiles' rotation, although league restrictions on trades would make it difficult for Chicago to move him until 60 days after this trade is officially consummated.Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here.</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2510218
