If any teams want to make a preemptive move to avoid losing a star player to the Knicks or anyone...

If any teams want to make a preemptive move to avoid losing a star player to the Knicks or anyone else in free agency, the Bulls will be ready and willing.

Think about it: If Bosh or Stoudemire become available, the Bulls' entire roster would be in play, with the obvious exception of Rose. Teams could pick and choose their own rebuilding plan among players like Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng. Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, Andres Nocioni, Aaron Gray, Thabo Sefolosha or even Ben Gordon if he re-signs with the Bulls.

If the Bulls could add someone of Bosh's talents to go with Rose, then maybe keep at least one of the Deng, Hinrich and Gordon trio, they'd be in business. Worry about who fills in at the other spots later.

In such a scenario, the Bulls would assume the risks of free agency. But with a talented point guard, big market and the ability to pay more than competing teams, the odds would be in their favor to re-sign any new player.

MIKE MCGRAW

about 3 years ago Option27 9 comments 0 recs |

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Keep dreaming, McG

"He's not scared to take that shot," Rose said. "That's Larry. No matter what, I don't need to remind him to shoot. He's willing to shoot any time."

by Evil Pax on Nov 23, 2008 2:53 PM CST reply actions

You don’t think the Bulls have 2010 free agents targeted like the rest of the league? Everything he wrote is right-on and it’s completely a legitimate possibility, right down to targeting Bosh as A #1.

by smash! on Nov 23, 2008 4:20 PM CST up reply actions

But McGraw is referring to teams dealing those players before 2010

Any exec who did something like that would have to feel very secure in their job to do so. Even then, it’d be pure stupidity to willingly give up a player of that caliber before you have to do so.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on Nov 23, 2008 4:49 PM CST up reply actions

Not if you knew you had no chance in resigning them.

If Toronto is no closer to contending in the East than they are right now, they have to know they don’t have a shot at resigning Bosh. When have they ever resigned a major free agent of their own? I don’t think they have, so maybe they’ve learned that a stack of Bulls players would be much better than nothing.

by smash! on Nov 23, 2008 6:29 PM CST up reply actions

I actually agree

Which is the main reason I posted this.

I never really thought about this idea until McGraw posted it.

by Option27 on Nov 23, 2008 6:46 PM CST up reply actions

The did re-sign VC, they just couldn't keep him happy

This is a different regime though. Bryan Colangelo has done a fantastic job turning this into a competitive organization. I agree, if it gets to the point that they believe Bosh is as good as gone, they should trade him. It is far, far too early to think that’s the case. They still have the rest of this season and next to show Bosh commitment. Colangelo’s even gone on record that he knows they have to put a winner around him and is willing to sacrifice their 2010 cap room to do so. Even if a team did deal one of the 2010ers early, they won’t get much in return. Any team dealing for one of those players knows they aren’t guaranteed to retain the player past 2010 and likely wouldn’t want to give more than expiring contracts and protected draft picks in return.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on Nov 24, 2008 8:20 AM CST up reply actions

wow

McGraw gets shitty comments like I do!

USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 23, 2008 5:24 PM CST reply actions

I liked the second commenter's nickname for paxson

“old stand pax”

clever.

Asked what kind of player he expects to be in the next five years, he said: "Not a star, but like, a superstar. Something around, like, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, something like that."

by BigBenign on Nov 23, 2008 5:55 PM CST up reply actions

Wow he did get blasted...

I don’t read McGraw alot (I forget about the Herald) but when I do I at least find him more interesting and entertaining than anything the Trib and Suntimes has to offer.

by smash! on Nov 23, 2008 6:32 PM CST up reply actions