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Bulls Wed Jun 23 2010
[06/23 UPDATE] Pocket Guide to the Chicago Bulls Offseason
The Chicago Bulls have entered into a period in their franchise history that is full of two things: questions and potential.
If the cards land just right, the Bulls could become immediate NBA Championship contenders. On the flip side, a few missteps or mistakes could mire the team in another prolonged stretch of mediocrity.
To help you follow along with all of the questions, and subsequent answers, that will invariably come from the next few months, please follow along with this "Pocket Guide to the Chicago Bulls Offseason". Feel free to score along at home as each topic is addressed in real life. This document will be living and breathing with each additional update, so be sure to check back frequently.
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06/23 Update: Most NBA news trickled to a stand-still
as the basketballing world was transfixed on the Celtics-Lakers Finals.
Now with a champion named, fans can turn their attention to new sources
of hope. Coming up on the horizon for the Bulls: the announcement of
Tom Thibodeau as head coach (today), the NBA Draft (Thursday), the first
day of official free agency (July 1st). Each of these important dates
will fill in more of the puzzle that has become the future of the Bulls.
1.) Will LeBron James be playing for the Bulls next year?
Current Status: Unknown
Rumors:
(Update 06/23) Perhaps it was with the
coordination of David Stern, but
it did seem like the James rumors slowed briefly during the NBA Finals.
Or maybe the world has tired of new, unsubstantiated claims by everyone
who has ever even spoken with James during the past six months. For
those who need more James, consider contemplating a Chris
Paul trade, regrouping with Eddy
Curry and learning all their is to know about William
Wesley.
(Update 06/08) James will be going on a "free agent tour" with stops in his potential next city. Chicago made the itinerary. Tom Thibodeau signed with the same agency as LeBron James (CAA Sports). James was interviewed by Larry King and said that Cleveland still has an edge to re-sign him. SendLeBrontoChicago.com bought a billboard.
Every new day seems to bring a new story about the insatiable chase to recruit LeBron James. There are even dedicated websites that push out information constantly. Even major news outlets cannot stop themselves from covering each angle. At this point, one cannot rely on any information until the man himself makes a statement.
Best Guess as of June 1st, 2010: LeBron will remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Best Guess as of June 8th, 2010: LeBron will remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers.- Best
Guess as of June 23rd, 2010: LeBron will remain with the Cleveland
Cavaliers.
Current Status: Unknown
(Update 06/23)
Tom Thibodeau will officially
be announced as the Chicago Bulls head coach today.
(Update 06/08) The Bulls will hire Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau to a deal worth approximately $6.5 million, with two years guaranteed plus a team option, according to multiple media reports. The deal will be finalized after the NBA Finals are complete.
Rumors: The name on everyone's minds the past week has
been Phil Jackson, but ever since this idea was brought up (even
publicly to Jackson) the probability seems to be dropping. Tom
Thibodeau, an assistant with the Boston Celtics, has been named as a
probable candidate. Other names being mentioned, according to ESPN
Chicago, include Maurice Cheeks, Lawrence Frank, Elston Turner and, of
course, John Calipari.
(UPDATE: Thibodeau has allegedly been offered the New Orleans
Hornets coaching position.)
Best Guess as of June 1st, 2010: Just to go against the public opinion, Byron Scott will coach the Bulls next season.
3.) Who will the Bulls select in the 2010 NBA Draft?
Current Status: Unknown
Rumors:
(Update 06/23) If the Bulls use their 17th
pick in the draft they will most likely be selecting James
Anderson. The growing sentiment is that the Chicago front office is
looking
to offload the pick for some more salary cap flexibility.
According to CSNChicago.com, the Bulls held workouts this past weekend with six potential draft picks. Guards James Anderson of Oklahoma State, Xavier Henry of Kansas, Paul George of Fresno State and Dominique Jones of South Florida, as well as forwards Georgia Tech's Gani Lawal and Louisville's Samardo Samuels participated in the session.
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Best Guess as of June 1st, 2010: The Bulls will select James Anderson in the 2010 NBA Draft. Best Guess as of June 8th, 2010: The Bulls will select James Anderson in the 2010 NBA Draft.- Best Guess as of
June 23rd, 2010: The Bulls will package the pick and a player in some
sort of move.
4.) Which free agents will the Bulls sign?
Current Status: Unknown
Rumors:
(Update 06/23) Nothing is going to move until
the LeBron James piece falls into place. If James does land in Chicago,
assume it will come with additional pieces. Players will want to come
and play for the James-led Bulls team. If the big signing does not go
through, a mad scramble involving the Bulls and every other LeBron
suitor will ensue.
(Update 06/08) The most noted free agents
have been throwing around
an idea of a "free agent
summit", but this talk has been downplayed after initial reports.
Dwayne Wade seems to be a definite no-go to Chicago and has been doing
his best to bash Chicago as an organization
lacking loyalty. Carlos Boozer thinks
highly of the Bulls.
This is perhaps the greatest unknown. So much of the free agency game this offseason will fall into place after James makes his decision. Talk of Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Dirk Nowitzki or any other potential free agent pick-up for the Bulls is useless without knowing James' status and the identity of the new coach.
Best Guess as of June 1st, 2010: The Bulls will sign Joe Johnson this offseason.Best Guess as of June 8th, 2010: The Bulls will sign Carlos Boozer this offseason.- Best Guess as of June
23rd, 2010: The Bulls will sign Joe Johnson this offseason.
5.) Which current players will not be with the Bulls at the start of next season?
Current Status: Unknown
Rumors:
(Update 06/23) As previously stated, the Bulls
are seriously considering moving their 17th pick in the draft. Along
with this, the front office would hope to dump the salary of Kirk
Hinrich or Luol Deng. This is more of a dream situation rather than
the most likely scenario. It does speak to the push to garner more cap
space. This news does not bode well for a long term future for these two
Bulls.
The two players generating the most buzz in regards to their involvement in deals to send them outside of Chicago are Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng. While unpopular, there is also talk of moving the emerging Taj Gibson during this tumultuous time.
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Best Guess as of June 1st, 2010: Luol Deng will not be a Bull next season. Best Guess as of June 8th, 2010: Luol Deng will not be a Bull next season.- Best Guess as of June 23rd, 2010:
Luol Deng will not be a Bull next season.
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Stick with Tailgate for all of your Bulls offseason news.