Chicago Bulls News

The NBA Draft has come and left abruptly, and so we move on to the NBA’s period of free agency. The overall depth of free agents this year is weak, with very few big names. Only about three teams, the Grizzlies, Clippers, and Sixers will be significantly under the cap. The Sonics, Bulls, Wizards, and Bobcats could get some cap space, but only if they let major free agents walk. With further ado, the rankings:

Restricted Free Agents:

1. Andre Iguodala - Sixers

Iggy is getting serious interest from the Grizzlies, but there is no way the Sixers are going to let him walk away. Remember, Iguodala turned down a 57 million dollar offer last year. I suspect he’ll get something slightly higher.

2. Josh Smith - Hawks

Rumors are the Sixers are going to make a strong run at Smith, but I don’t see the Hawks letting him walk away. Smith is a forward with freakish athletisicsm whos a good rebounder and scorer. When he develops a more consistetent shot and becomes a better passer, he could be a franchise type player.

3. Emeka Okafor - Bobcats

Okafor turned down 13 million dollars last season, thinking like the rest of us, he would become an all-star caliber player. He didn’t progress like anyone hoped but he’ll still get plenty of offers because hes the best young big man.

4. Luol Deng - Bulls

Deng was offered a 57.5 million dollar extension last year but ended up having a poor season due to nagging injuries. It looks like the Bulls will be able to resign him for less than last year.

5. Jose Calderon - Raptors

Calderon played like an all-star last season, and will probaly do so again. He’s easily the best point guard on the market, but the Raptors will match anything he gets offered.

6. Monta Ellis - Warriors

He’s young with all-star potential, but no team can offer him more than the mid-level. He’ll probably take a 1 year tender from the Warriors and be an unrestricted free agent next year.

7. Ben Gordon - Bulls

Gordon was offered a 5 year, 50 million dollar contract last season which he turned down. There’s no way an undersized two guard gets anything higher than that for next season. He may be let go by the Bulls with Derrick Rose emerging as well as Hinrich and Hughes.

8. Andris Biedrins - Warriors

Biedrins is young and athletic, and the Warriors will match anything he gets. He won’t receive much more than the mid-level.

9. Josh Childress - Hawks

Perhaps one of the most underrated sixth men last year, he’s still not a necessity with the Hawks with all their talent on the wing. He won’t receive more than the mid-level which might be a bargain with his talent.

10. Sasha Vujacic - Lakers

Vujacic proved himself as one of the best shooters in the league last season. However, he dropped off in the playoffs with a couple of exceptions, especially in the finals. With Jason Kapano receiving a four year, 24 million dollar contract last year, anything from 3-6 million is possible with Vujacic. However, it’ll be hard for the Lakers to find a guard who knows their offense and can shoot like Vujacic so expect them to match.

In order of first round selection:

Chicago Bulls: A-

Ended the night with Omer Asik, a second round pick in 2009, and Derrick Rose. No steals, but the best player in the draft and a high risk/reward guy in Asik.

Miami Heat: A

Absolutely stole Mario Chalmers with the 34th pick for two second round picks, got a future second round pick, and Michael Beasley. Chalmers has a chance in a few years to be a Derek Fisher type player, who plays very good defense, makes clutch shots, and runs the offense.

Minnesota Timberwolves: B

McHale wanted Kevin Love, but smartly drafted Mayo, then trading him for Love and Mike Miller with fillers on both sides. However, gave away Chalmers for pretty much nothing.

Seattle Supersonics: C+

Durant goes from playing with a Rose, a Beasley, or even a Mayo, to Russell Westbrook? Westbrook isn’t bad, if your drafting near the end of the lottery. They did however, pick up D.J. White for not a whole lot in two second round picks.

Memphis Grizzlies: C+

Got the third best player in the draft in Mayo, as well as Darrell Arthur, but could have done better. They still left the draft with a gaping hole in the middle.

New York Knicks: B

Gallinari has star potential, and at the very least will be a solid role player. Didn’t do anything special though.

Los Angeles Clippers: A+

Filled a need with Gordon and absolutely stole DeAndre Jordan. Remember Jordan was projected by many as a lottery pick. They got him with the 35th pick.

Milwaukee Bucks: D

You just got a all-star caliber 3. Alexander is too slow to play the SG spot. Too small for the 4. You also drafted a 3 with your second round pick. Someone needs to be traded.

Charlotte Bobcats: D

Your not gonna have Felton and Augustin on the same team. They both need to many minutes. Now that you are looking to trade one of them, teams know that you will likely not get full value. The real criticism is the 20th pick. Alexis Ajinca? He averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds. Screams bust to me.

New Jersey Nets: A++

Stole Lopez anywhere from 5-7 picks too late. Here’s your fun fact of the day. Ryan Anderson, the Nets 21st pick averaged 21.1 PPG. Only 1 player in the top 15 prospects averaged more than that. Some guy named Michael Beasley. Also had the steal of the night by drafting Chris Douglas-Roberts 40th. That guy was projected right around 20.

Note: This is a mock draft of who I think the teams will take (barring trade), not who I think they should take.

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose

I’m really not sure why people are pegging this pick as to be set in stone. Really, Michael Beasley will have more of an immediate impact, and he will probably win Rookie of the Year. To me, you take Rose because of the great point guard factor. Remember Kenyon Martin with the Nets? Its not the injuries that have plagued him with Denver, its the fact that he doesn’t have a Hall of Fame pass first point guard. Same thing with David West. How much higher is his shooting percentage because of Chris Paul? Derrick Rose can do the same for Deng, Gordon, Thomas and co.

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley

With Shawn Marion not opting out, I think B-Easy makes the Heat a couple of pieces away from contention. Wade is still a top 3 shooting guard in the league. Marion’s versatility defensively will hide some of Beasley’s liabilities, and his versatility offensively will allow Beasley to play inside out. However, they need a true low post center who can block shots and a point guard who can handle and hit open jumpers. That is, of course, if Pat Riley can get over his man crush on O.J. Mayo.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - Kevin Love

Now if this were a mock draft of players teams should take, it would be Mayo in a heart beat. But McHale wants to keep his job, and if he drafts Mayo and can’t find a suitable trade for his plethora of guards, his job is on the line. Love isn’t a terrible fit, but playing him with Jefferson together would be a mistake. Two undersized offensive minded big men will lead to holes in the middle.

4. Seattle Supersonics - O.J. Mayo

Thanks to the Wolves, Durant gets his Pippen. Mayo gets after it defensively, taking pride on that side of the floor. He can handle, shoot the lights out, play both guard positions, and play off the ball. Imagine a future lineup of Mayo at either guard position, Durant at the 3, and Green at the 4 spot. Insert a good low post player who can defend, and a shooter at either guard position and the Sonics are set for at least 8 years.

5. Memphis Grizzlies - Eric Gordon

I don’t really like this pick for the Grizzlies. Gordon is a combo guard who lacks the size to be a two guard. None of the Grizzlies point guards have the size to guard the shooting guard position. The Grizzlies should go with the best player available and either look to package him or free up a slot for him.

6. New York Knicks - Danilo Gallinari

Gallinari fits a need at the SF slot, but any lottery player would fill a need with that team. The Knicks need to pick the best player available and hope he becomes a franchise player, or package him for a franchise player. New York really needs someone to build around.

7. Los Angeles Clippers - Jerryd Bayless

Ideal fit for Bayless and the Clippers. Imagine this starting lineup for a second: Shaun Livingston, Bayless, Corey Maggette, Elton Brand, and Chris Kaman. Bayless doesn’t have the size to guard two guards, but Livingston does which means they can cross match. If you ask me, with a couple years of experience, and a very good bench that team is a championship contender.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Joe Alexander

Is there any clearer pick in the draft? The Bucks have a need at the 3 spot, and Alexander fits it perfectly with athleticism, shooting, and versatitility

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Brook Lopez

Lopez is a decent fit with the Bobcats. Okafor can cover for Lopez’s defense liabilites, but they are pretty much the same player offensively, with Lopez have better range on his jumpshot. However, I don’t see Lopez being able to play the high post through a full game.

10. New Jersey Nets - Darrell Arthur

Arthur certainly isn’t the best player available, but the Nets are going to draft a guard or a wingman with Jefferson, Carter, and Harris. Arthur is the most ready to contribute now out of all the the available big man at this point. Look for this pick to be traded.

11. Indiana Pacers - Anthony Randolph

Up until a few hours ago, almost anyone would have said D.J. Augustin, but with the trade that sent Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors, the Pacers got their point guard in T.J. Ford. Now in rebuilding mode, they will likely take a chance on one of the highest risk/reward guys in this draft.

12. Sacramento Kings - D.J. Augustin

Augustin is probably the most underrated player in this draft. He can shoot from anywhere, penetrate with efficiency, and his handle is only second to Rose’s in this draft. On defense, he will have trouble with certain types of point guards, like Deron Williams, but how Williams’ are there in the league?

13. Portland Trailblazers - Brandon Rush

Rush makes sense for many reasons. He doesn’t mind being 4th or 5th fiddle, he’s a terrific defender, and he can shoot the ball with range. He also allows the Blazers to look to trade Outlaw with one of their point guards for an elite point guard/combo guard to play alongside Brandon Roy.

14. Golden State Warriors - DeAndre Jordan

The Warriors are going to go for a home run hit. Jordan is either going to be a star or a bust. If he does develop, he fits pretty nicely into the warriors game with his athleticism and size.

With the Bulls off-season starting much earlier than expected, I thought we’d take a quick look at the one of the most anticipated NBA finals in history from a Lakers perspective:

Stay even with the Celtics in rebounding

This one’s simple: the Laker’s are the better offensive team, and the Celtic’s are better defensively. If the Lakers allow the Celtics to get offensive rebounds and 2nd chance points, not only does it give the Celtics easy opportunites but it allows them to set up their defense. If the C’s set up their defense and the Lakers can’t run on them, advantage Celtics.

Keep the Celtics off the foul-line

The Lakers need to play good defense without fouling for much the same reason they need to rebound. If they foul the Celtics, their opposition gets easy opportunities and can set up their defense. From the Lakers’ point guard, Derek Fisher, “…You can’t guard them at the free-throw line”.

Feed the ball to the post

Whether its Pau Gasol or Kobe Bryant, the Lakers need to make a concerted effort to feed the ball in the post. The Lakers relied to much on Kobe in the second half and when they did get the ball inside to Gasol, he was too passive. Gasol cannot be intimated by Garnett, and make him work defensively. When Perkins is on him, Pau needs to use his quickness advantage which will open his jumpshot.

CHICAGO, IL - Serious trade talk typically doesn’t begin until January in the NBA, but logic would suggest Chicago Bulls general manager John Paxson is ready to explore ways to trade center Ben Wallace.

The Bulls would have to pay a premium, but one positive is that his contract was front-loaded, which means from the original $60 million deal, he’s owed $28.5 million over the next two seasons.

“Change is not always bad,” Wallace said after Saturday’s dismal 116-98 home loss to Houston. “If everybody wants to be here, we have to step it up.”

The most obvious trade targets for the Bulls are New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd and Memphis Grizzlies center Pau Gasol.

- via RealGM News.