The Bulls’ new GM, Gar Forman, already made some news by stating that re-signing Ben Gordon is his top priority heading into the offseason. What does that mean? Well, a quick peek at Chicago’s ledger balance for the 2009-10 season shows that the team is already on the books for about $63 million in player salaries.
Now, the luxury tax level for the 2008-09 season was $71.15 million. However, due to the fact that the NBA is really hurting from a financial perspective, it’s likely that the salary cap will be reduced, and therefore the luxury tax threshold will drop significantly (perhaps to around $65 million-ish). And if that happens, the Bulls won’t be able to re-sign Gordon without paying the tax…unless they manage to dump some salary.
So does Gar’s announcement mean that Kirk Hinrich is officially on the chopping block? Of course, even if they managed to trade Kirk, they’d still have to take on a comparable salary that would push them over the limit anyway. We also don’t yet know what kind of demand there will be for BG on the open market, which obviously will affect what the team offers him. As always, stay tuned…
We don’t need this guys scoring. We need defense. Everyone else’s offense will pick up with this guy gone and not holding the ball and over dribbling.
Predicted scoring output if team stays as is without gordon:
Joakim Noah-10pts
Brad Miller-12pts
Tyrus Thomas-14pts
John Salmons-20pts
Derrick Rose-20pts
Kirk Hinrich-12pts
Luol Deng-16pts
106pts without ben gordon. I think we need to focus on defense people.
Ben Gordon needs to be the one to go. Kirk has more value to the team. BG just chucks up shots when he’s not open.
Yeah, BG for Noce straight up and the Bulls go all the way! …oh, wait.
i love every player on the bulls except ben…but rocky, be honest, you expect or 7 man roto to average double digits all year? have you seen brad miller play offense on a regular basis?
The solution to the Gordon/Hinrich debate/dilema can be found in this years draft.
The Bulls can’t afford to pay Gordon, Hinrich and Deng $10million plus per year, so
Trade either Gordon or Hinrich, or both for lottery picks plus an expiring contract.
1. Gordon to the Wiz for #5 and Etan Thomas’s expiring contract.
2. Hinrich(and #26 or #16) to Sacto for #4 and Kenny Thomas’s expiring.
3. Hinrich(and #26, or #16) to Minny for #6 and Mike Miller’s expiring.
Bulls draft DeMar DeRozen if they make one of these trades. DeRozen is said to possess Kobe like ability, and would be the perfect compliment to Rose long term. With Salmons on board for the next 2 years we have time to develop DeRozen. By the way he is a legit 6’6″.
If they trade both Gordon and Hinrich, then we take DeJuan Blair with the second lottery pick. Should be a great fit as our 3rd forward.
These deals exchange a veteran contract for a rookie contract, saving about $5 plus million per year.
Additionally, we pick up 2 more expiring contracts which can only add amunition to make a blockbuster deak or 2 before the trade deadline.
The Gordon deal should be a no brainer, for the Bulls and for the Wiz. How can they turn down a backcourt of Agent Zero and Gordon.
Even though Hinrich is the perfect third guard, if the Bulls like Blair enough, they should do the deal. We just need to find a servicable backup point guard. Maybe bring back Janero Pargo from Europe.
DeRozen and Blair can grow together with Rose, Noah and Thomas(at least until he is packaged for a superstar)over the next 2-3 years and be ready for an extended run as they all hit their prime years together.
We still have Deng and Thomas to offer in trade packages along with the 5 expiring contracts to go and get Bosh or Amare, or maybe even Wade.
These moves would put the Bulls in the best position possible going into this season financially, and long term competitively.
Starters, Rose, Salmons, Deng, Thomas, Noah
Reserves, Miller, Blair, Derozen and Pargo.
Thats my Team.
I’m in favor of letting Gordon go and keeping Hinrich. You guys are right, we need his defense and we have enough offensive weapons to compensate for the loss of his 20 ppg, especially if Deng is healthy next season. If the bulls can work out a sign and trade w/the Wiz or Wolves for the #5 or #6 pick like BigWay suggested then I say that’s a no brainer for the Bulls.
I mean, 2009-10!
I wonder if any teams with top 10 picks in the draft would be interested in trading it for Gordon. Maybe Washington, Minnesota, or Toronto? Possibly Golden State? Gordon seems perfect for a Don Nelson team.
Wow! I just read Big Way’s post. Nicely done on the scouting report and just the general line of thinking. Quality post!
listen simple answer let gordon and hinrich go i agree we need defense and i think we make a play for boozer he bring s off and def to an already rising frontcourt its that simple people i mean i luv gordon but he gotta go and hinrich been done since that injry so the booozer all da way for the baby bulls
What the bulls should do is keep eveyone and get rid of Tim thomas and Lindsey hunter for earlyer draft picks and Aaron gray and other bench player except Luo deng for money reasons with gordon and hinrcih. the reason being the bulls did great in this playoff and the bulls will be the team 2 watch this season
All they have to do is sign and trade gordon to golden state or washington( exchange picks # 26 )or just let gordon go and keep hinrich, draft blair and toney, just as good a shooter as ben g. keep the young pg roberson that guy can shoot and he’s tough ( was on that championship team with noah at florida ) as a backup to rose. In 2010 sign bosh, and sign a shot blockerrr!!
Gar made a great statement. If he comes out and says we are getting rid of Gordon his value drops. Come on guys you have to think like a savvy GM. Didn’t we play the wait and see game the last 2 offseasons. That was succesful!
Look at it this way Ben Gordon just had an awesome postseasn. His value is at its highest. Then the new GM says “We want this guy.” Now his value is even higher.
We’ll get ridiculous value for Ben Gordon because he’s what every team needs a character guy, who scores but will come off the bench with no problem.
Watch and see.