Bulls Waive Barrett, Homan and Deng's Low Contract Offer

by Option27 on Oct 22, 2007 1:01 PM CDT

[From the Diaries. It's news, anyway. Well the Deng contract offer is merely rumor, not news. I don't worry about 'insulting' Deng with an offer, I assume he and his agent knows what's what. As long as I hear no complaints from management about the luxury tax. -Matt]

Sad to see Andre go.

Sad to see this is what the Bulls think Deng is worth

As for Homan, I could really care less.

And I know the Bulls have to just start out low on contract offers, right?

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Gerald Wallace signed for $57 million for 6 years.

Kevin Martin signed for $55 million over five years. I think those players are comparable to Deng, and arguably a little better than him.

Deng has gotten lots of publicity because the Bulls have apparently refused to discuss trading him, but that doesn't make him a superstar yet, and potential is a tricky matter. If the report is accurate, the Bulls' offer may be a little low, but not completely out of line.

If Deng chooses to become a free agent he might get a better offer or he might not. Probably he wouldn't get a $70 million offer until two years from now, when he is an unrestricted free agent, but in next two seasons he could get injured, or he just might not progress as well as people hope or expect.

How much is the security of an extended contract worth to him? How much is playing on a winning team with teammates he knows worth to him? Paxson has made it clear that the Bulls expect something in return for extending contracts at this point.

by Tim S. on Oct 22, 2007 1:31 PM CDT 0 recs

For the sake of arguing

I don't think Martin or Wallace are better than Deng, but maybe that's the "Homer" in me.

There has even been talk from people in here that Deng might take a low offer cause he's a good guy. The guy deserves more than Wallace and Martin.

With all the charity work the guy does, you would think most of the money would end up in Sudan or Great Britain or something.

by Option27 on Oct 22, 2007 1:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

ha! c'mon

all of the money is going to end up there. Deng is the most generous, most benevolent human being on the planet.

by hscs on Oct 22, 2007 2:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

direct deposit to the human fund.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 22, 2007 2:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Don't forget the nets, either.

Yes, of course.

by tyger1147 on Oct 22, 2007 2:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

The Holiday season

Is coming up, thanks for reminding me.

Get that out of Tyrus' House!!!!

by cubbybear on Oct 22, 2007 4:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

Deng Vs.

I like Deng more than either of the forementioned players but both had strong seasons prior to their contracts. Kenyon Martin was 15&8-ish to 16&10-ish prior to his deal, which is solid. Plus, I don't recall him being injured prior to the deal and his pantsing of both Antoine Walker and O'Neal established Nets as the eastern 'power' for a few years there.
Wallace also had some nice numbers, so I don't think the comparison is way out of line.

"...Keeping 'SlowHand' alive since aught-five"

by CookDing on Oct 22, 2007 4:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's Kevin, not Kenyon.

by Tim S. on Oct 22, 2007 4:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

after all these years

you'd think I'd pick up on those sort of details. thanks.

"...Keeping 'SlowHand' alive since aught-five"

by CookDing on Oct 23, 2007 7:26 AM CDT up 0 recs

Deng is better

I would take Deng over either of those guys. But they are good comparables. I think Deng should sign in the $60mm range, maybe a little bit more. My guess is that BG will be offered around $5mm less than Deng ultimately accepts. I would not be surprised if BG rejects the offer and tests out RFA next summer. But what do I know? I'm just a highly accomplished negotiator, er, I mean, a dude posting on a basketball blog in the preseason.

Riding the Noah bus since March 2006

by preverbal on Oct 22, 2007 10:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

hmmm

The contract offer will work itself out. No surprise there. They still have until next Wed to get it a lil higher...

As a side note though, good to see BG practicing again

by ScottieCartwright on Oct 22, 2007 1:50 PM CDT 0 recs

To clarify for rosters...

...12 is what can be on the active roster for any one night, correct? But three more can still be on the roster in case of an injury to someone on the twelve. I mean, the 13, 14, 15 guys are interchangeable with the others during the season, just not during games.

If that's the case and they don't need to do anymore, does anyone expect them to?

If that's not the case, what else do they need to do to get the roster to the right size for the season?

Yes, of course.

by tyger1147 on Oct 22, 2007 2:35 PM CDT 0 recs

15 on roster, 12 for games

Yes I think you are correct, there can only be 12 suited up to play in games but there can be 15 on roster. There is no injuried reserve, 15 is cap. Looking at espn.com roster, when you take our Homan and Barrett the Bulls have 15.

The 15# is max, and Pax I believe has said they may only keep 14 and keep last spot open so Curry / Gardner are not safe yet.

by NY Chicago Fan on Oct 22, 2007 2:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Curry is signed

Gardner is not, I believe. Gardner will probably get a non-guaranteed deal, which means he stays on the team, but the team can cut him during the season if they make a trade and need the spot.

Riding the Noah bus since March 2006

by preverbal on Oct 22, 2007 10:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

after his sportscenter minute

teams will chomp at the bit if gardner gets cut.

by brianmita on Oct 22, 2007 10:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Deng

Unless bulls front office thinks that the image of Deng giving charity is worth 1-2 million a year in added revenue, why would they want to offer more than 60 million right out of the gate.

I think we also hear a lot about Deng working hard and being a great guy...I am sure though that Gerald Wallace works pretty hard too. He improves every year too. Kevin Martin for all we know donates a pint of blood every morning after shooting 1000 shots every morning.

by Sambossanova on Oct 22, 2007 3:02 PM CDT 0 recs

Makes me think...

I wonder how much the Bulls will offer Gordon??

by AngryAsianAce on Oct 22, 2007 3:26 PM CDT 0 recs

If Deng was offered $50 mil

what was BG offered?

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Oct 22, 2007 3:29 PM CDT 0 recs

And why is that sad?

security is worth something. Just ask Jay Williams. I think Deng is worth more, even giving him that security, but the offer isn't Joe Torre slap-in-the-face low.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Oct 22, 2007 3:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

The only reason I think it's sad

Is cause I honestly think he should be paid according to worth. I think the Bulls know he's worth more. First offers are usually low, so I do get it. If they offered 50 for 5 years to Deng, Gordon is most likely gonna be really mad at his initial offer.

Plus....Deng is a good guy!

by Option27 on Oct 22, 2007 3:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't think either will get 'mad'.

they don't have to offer them anything, they're not free agents yet.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 22, 2007 3:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not literally

Ha!

I should have used something like "let down"

by Option27 on Oct 22, 2007 4:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Look at it this way

you can't lower an offer but you can raise one. If this is true and not a rumor it seems they put out a feeler and will make the right adjustment if needed. To me Deng should get more than BG but that's just me.

Too bad about Andre but you could see the writing on the wall. Homan never stood a chance.

Racecar spelled backwards is racecar.

by sue369 on Oct 22, 2007 4:05 PM CDT 0 recs

Before you get all excited

That was the NY Daily Post, not always the most accurate source of basketball information, and probably not on Pax's list of places to leak information.

If Deng's agent was going to leak, you'd think he'd do it locally, to get more of stir.

by KT on Oct 22, 2007 4:28 PM CDT 0 recs

It's an interesting starting point...

Starting low is simply strategy and Luol and his agent are more than aware of that as they will likely counter with more than they really want/expect. The interesting note though is the fact that they started at $50mil which in my opinion means that the Bulls do not see themselves going higher than $60-$65mil for Luol. If that's the case than it can be inferred that they don't expect to go more than $55-$60mil for Ben meaning in the end the two essentially have to choose between $65/5 and $60/5 respectively.

Those numbers don't scream warning like the Rashard Lewis contracts, and could be excellent deals all around for the players as well as team flexibility in the future for trades and tax purposes.

by CubFan81 on Oct 22, 2007 4:31 PM CDT 0 recs

good post.

and there will probably be some strong incentives on top of that.

by brianmita on Oct 22, 2007 10:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sounds like a fair first offer...

considering that the final amount will be somewhere between this and some absurdly high number that Deng's agent comes up with.

Also, I don't think how much Luol contributes to charity should be a factor. Better for the Bulls to donate directly to the charity themselves if they really care.

by rexisourqb on Oct 22, 2007 5:30 PM CDT 0 recs

i think

$70mm over 5 years is fair
Deng is only 22 years old and the sky is the limit for him.

by Jbasic89 on Oct 22, 2007 5:59 PM CDT 0 recs

Skiles

said today that Gray may have earned himself a starting spot in the opeining game next week. I hope he continues to play well the rest of the preseason games.

Racecar spelled backwards is racecar.

by sue369 on Oct 22, 2007 7:00 PM CDT 0 recs

Oh no

He's played pretty well, but no way should he be getting playing time at Noah's and Thomas's expense.

by Big D on Oct 22, 2007 7:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Why not?

I like Noah alot but Gray has played pretty well where Noah has not looked as good. Like I said Skiles said may.

Racecar spelled backwards is racecar.

by sue369 on Oct 22, 2007 7:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

Joe Smith seems to be fighting injuries everytime he does something active. Tyrus thomas and Noah still need minutes to work out the kinks, and that shouldnt be starting minutes. Noch could start, but i think he may be better off relieving deng, and providing some bench points. Skiles has said that gray has been picking up those little things that skiles likes, like where to be on offense and defense, plus he has size.

Move ben wallace to pf (which i believe is wallace's true position) move gray to center. In theory i think it makes sense, but what doesnt make sense in theory? I would like to see it tried, i think the last exhibition game is usually taken a bit seriously, all teams try to play thier regulars to get the chemistry right. It might be a good time to try such a line up.

Thomas and Noah are the ones we want to see start, but i think right now both are still playing like rookies (despite Noah's first few games, and Thomas being here for a year). I think both will be better than Gray, but at the moment gray seems to be doing a good job as role player, and if Joe smith is still bruising, than gray might be better off starting.

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Oct 22, 2007 8:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

right.

It sounds like skiles is trying to light a competitive fire under tt's and noah's butts

by brianmita on Oct 22, 2007 10:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

Why not start him?

I like the idea. That give them a legit 7 footer. Moving Wallace to the PF is ok. I was thinking that during the game, that kid could start. In the preseason games he's shown he can score play D and know where to be on the floor. He's got some nasty to him and Wallace seems to really be fond to him. Not only can he score inside and play nice D have you guys seen his outside shot and free throws? Yeah I would start his ass. What do you have to loose?

''This whole parties out of control!''-Moose

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Oct 22, 2007 9:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

All Im saying is

he's earned it. Thats what it used to be about. so....

Hinrich
Gordon
Deng
Wallace
Gray

''This whole parties out of control!''-Moose

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Oct 22, 2007 9:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

you have a link for that Sue?

or was it on Comcast or something?

I think Skiles must just be peeing on Tyrus/Noah's abilities to learn the plays. I hope. Or he's hyping up the young guy to stir up competition for everyone.

I missed the game where he started but from what I remember Gray didn't play in any good lineups or against any good lineups. Not to mention it's preseason.

I think he's plain too slow. It hurts his ability to rebound and challenge shots on this level.

And to borrow from Bill Simmons (I know): As the saying goes, when Aaron Gray is your starting center, Aaron Gray is your starting center.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 22, 2007 9:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

do u have

a source for this? im just curious...

by Jbasic89 on Oct 22, 2007 11:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

trib has a story up

I promptly overreact

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 22, 2007 11:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

50 million - 5 years

That sounds pretty fair for me.... He would be winning more money than Parker and Ginobili (all stars) ... you know.... those two secondary stars that play alongside Duncan and win championships....
My point is..... there are lots of overpaid players who play for teams that arent championship-caliber because their contracts limit the players those teams can acquire....

by Chilai on Oct 22, 2007 9:29 PM CDT 0 recs

Gray as a starter?!

Gray has played well during the pre-season, but I hardly believe hes ready to be a legitimate starter in the NBA. Its not like he has played against any teams best lineups. Right now I see great potential for him to be a good guy of the bench to contribute a little bit of points. He could prove to be invaluable if Joe Smith or Wallace gets injured for a significant amount of time. Wallace is our center. He does what the Bulls signed him to do: Rebound, block shots, contain the paint, and provide second change opportunities, all of which he does well. I noticed in pre-season he has seemed to develop more confidence in his offensive skills but his focus and strength will always be his top-notch defense.

by AngryAsianAce on Oct 22, 2007 9:57 PM CDT 0 recs

seeing barrett go

kinda sucks, but it's a competitive necessity. I hope the man has a good career elsewhere.

by brianmita on Oct 22, 2007 11:01 PM CDT 0 recs

Inside Information....not telling how I know

Justin Cage is coming back. I'm assuming they're going to put him on the NBDL roster.

Is it me or does Lebron walk like a duck?!

by GranvilleWaiters on Oct 22, 2007 11:41 PM CDT 0 recs

Any new updates

on the contract negotiations for Deng or Gordon considering this is the last week to get something done before restricted free agency in the off-season? I'm just curious. Haven't had the time to look it up myself, so I came here to ask...

by kingj41 on Oct 23, 2007 2:18 PM CDT 0 recs