<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A sixth straight losing season could mean another summer of radical revision of the Bulls' roster, and I hope that throughout his extensive research, operations chief John Paxson remembers the valuable component for rebuilding he already has in Antonio Davis.</div> Full Article ============ http://www.suntimes.com/output/banks/cst-spt-banx07.html
Possible Free Agents <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Bulls have plenty of holes to plug this summer. But chasing free agents will be a challenge, for several reasons: ? With a payroll that exceeds the salary cap, the Bulls will have three tools at their disposal: The midlevel exception (worth about 5 million), the lower exception (worth $1.6 million), or they can sign people for the league's minimum salary. The exceptions can be split among multiple players. ? Remember when Donyell Marshall signed for the midlevel two years ago because he thought the Bulls were an up-and-coming team? This is just a hunch, but no way that's happening this time. ? This is not a deep class of free agents coming on the market. There are a few high-level guys - Kobe Bryant, Rasheed Wallace, Steve Nash, Vlade Divac, Erick Dampier - who aren't likely to answer the phone if the Bulls call. The Bulls need to come up with some bodies, though. Here are free agents the team should pursue, in order of preference: Hedo Turkoglu, Spurs: Currently second in the league in 3-point percentage at 44.8, the 6-foot-9 Turkoglu (9.5 points) has blossomed in San Antonio. He'll be a long shot for the Bulls as a restricted free agent. It could come down to how much cap room the Spurs have to spare, because they also need to lock up Manu Ginobili. If San Antonio has $12 million to spend, it might be able to get Ginobili for $7 million and Turkoglu for $5 million. But teams with cap room, such as Denver and Utah, are likely to chase Ginobili. If his price keeps rising, the Spurs might have to let Turkoglu walk. One possible advantage for the Bulls here is that Denver, Utah and Phoenix are all solid at small forward, so they might ignore Turkoglu. Bob Sura, Hawks: A 31-year-old shooting guard, Sura didn't play much in Detroit early this season. But last year in Golden State, Sura was frequently on the court in the fourth quarter. Since being traded to Atlanta at the deadline, the 6-5 Sura has averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 21 games. Even if Jamal Crawford returns next season, the Bulls need some depth at the two guard. Sura looks like the best option among players who figure to make the Bulls an option. Arvydas Macijauskas, Tau Ceramica: Don't be surprised if the Bulls make a run at this 6-4 shooting guard who hails from Lithuania. He is the top scorer on the best team in the Spanish league and should be able to leave for the NBA this summer if he chooses. Scouts say he may be too slow to play two guard in the NBA, but no one questions his shooting touch. Macijauskas is averaging 20.1 points in the Euroleague, shooting 57 percent from the field and 91 percent at the foul line. Stephen Jackson, Hawks: A starter at small forward in San Antonio last year, Jackson has proven repeatedly that he can knock down clutch shots. He might be a good fit for the Bulls, but with Atlanta's payroll so low, it seems likely that the Hawks will spend a little money to keep this guy. Jackson, 26, is averaging 17.3 points. Mark Blount, Celtics: He'll be a hot name in a league lacking for big guys. If the Bulls want to move some of their big men, Blount is someone to consider as a replacement. A fourth-year 7-footer from Pittsburgh, Blount has blossomed this season. He averaged 14.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and shot 60.1 percent in March. Marquis Daniels, Mavericks: This 6-6 undrafted rookie from Auburn was billed as a point guard. But Daniels had a 31-point game against Miami last month and might turn out to be a decent two guard. He ranks third in the league in steals per turnover. He could probably be had if a team is willing to risk the money. Darius Miles, Blazers: On one hand, the Bulls don't need another college-skipping player still struggling to learn the game. On the other hand, Miles is an explosive athlete with great potential as a defender, even if he never learns to shoot. He is playing well in Portland, though, and will probably stay put. Wesley Person, Hawks: Person has played for four teams in less than two years and is on the injured list in Atlanta right now. But he's a veteran shooting guard who can get hot from 3-point range and shouldn't cost much. The Bulls could do worse. Person, 33, has a lifetime .457 field-goal percentage, .417 from 3-point range. Morris Peterson, Raptors: Toronto hasn't been impressed with this fourth-year small forward, so there is little reason for the Bulls to take pursuit. But he can hit shots and could be available for a bargain price as the summer progresses. Eric Williams, Cavaliers: This former Celtics small forward is likely to remain in Cleveland. If not, he's a guy who doesn't score much, but can do all the dirty work. He'd be a useful veteran addition for the Bulls. Brian Cardinal, Warriors: A candidate for most improved player, the 6-8 Cardinal is averaging 9.7 points and going to the foul line frequently. Maybe he'd like to move closer to his hometown of Champaign. Fred Hoiberg and Trenton Hassell, Timberwolves: The Bulls need players with winning experience, and these two have it.</div>
