Kori Ellis
04-11-2005, 03:53 AM
Hawks' plan for the offseason: prey on the young Bulls
BY SAM SMITH
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO - (KRT) - The Bulls are in Atlanta on Saturday, though the larger question may be whether Eddy Curry and/or Tyson Chandler will be there next season.
According to a league executive with knowledge of Atlanta's thinking, the Hawks have Curry, Chandler and the Sixers' Samuel Dalembert as their targets in free agency.
Atlanta, with the league's poorest record, has the best mathematical chance at the No. 1 pick and Utah big man Andrew Bogut. But even if the Hawks get Bogut, they will be more than $20 million below the proposed salary cap after dumping salaries (and games) the last two seasons and they are looking to sign another big man. They have enough money to bid for two with new ownership panting to get back into the playoffs, though there is some question whether they will spend it given their heavy losses and internal ownership disputes.
The Hawks' thinking came before the heart problems suffered by Curry, though indications are he will return to play and then become a restricted free agent along with Chandler. The Bulls have said they'll match offers extended to either or both players.
Atlanta could make a run at Curry like the Miami Heat did in 2003 for the Clippers' Elton Brand. The Clippers matched the maximum offer for Brand, and then the Heat signed fellow Clipper Lamar Odom. Some believed the Heat's plan all along was to extend the Clippers to the point that they wouldn't match on both with front-loaded contracts or large bonuses. Huge, front-loaded deals with bonuses for Curry and Chandler could take the Bulls out of the free-agent market for sometime and make it difficult to add to the roster.
The 76ers are well above the salary cap and might pass on a big offer for the inconsistent Dalembert. It's what the Hawks are hoping, though some say the Hawks are more likely to pursue unrestricted free-agent Stromile Swift, who'll come cheaper than any of the three.
Though Chandler has given every indication he wants to re-sign with the Bulls, the Hawks would be in position to overpay and provide a starting job, which he likely covets.
Insurance, meanwhile, remains an issue for any team interested in Curry. No one knows what Curry's heart issues have been and whether they are serious. If Curry could not be insured because of a pre-existing condition, signing him to a long-term, big-money deal would be a major risk. That was the case with the Nets and Alonzo Mourning, who seemed ready to retire before Toronto accepted a trade and gave Mourning a buyout. Had that not occurred, the Nets would have been liable for the entire contract without insurance protection.
Curry might have to take the one-year qualifying offer and make himself an unrestricted free agent after one more season with the Bulls if teams question his market value after this season.
So while the Bulls now eye teams like Washington and more likely Indiana for the playoffs, the bigger concern could be those deep pockets the Hawks will have this summer.
Pistons in town
The Bulls don't seem likely to catch the Pistons for the Central Division title and No. 2 seed. That means the teams probably won't play each other after Monday unless they meet in the conference finals.
And that's too bad because it would be so much fun to watch (and listen to) Larry Brown and his team go for consecutive NBA titles.
The Pistons haven't been quite themselves lately. They were just 9-8 while Brown was out with a hip ailment. With a bench that looks vulnerable, Brown already has gone to a short rotation with concerns about Carlos Delfino, Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo, saying: "There have been a lot of situations where I don't think these young kids have come off the bench with a desire to play."
As for Milicic, Brown blasted away: "Darko is a young kid that just doesn't get it. He wants to play, but he wants to play on his terms. He sees all these other kids from his draft class playing on bad teams and it's tough for him. If he'd have played last year and we lost, he'd been much happier."
Ouch. Though it's not an issue now, Milicic's playing time could lead to Brown's departure because at some point the Pistons need to find out if their No. 2 overall pick can play.
Big `D' in Dallas
Watch out for Dallas, Denver and Memphis in the West.
The Mavericks have been transformed (meaning they actually try it) on defense since Avery Johnson took over from Don Nelson. Johnson, as an inducement, runs the first play of the game for the best defensive player in the previous gave and the first play of the second half for the best defender in the first half.
Denver, the league's best team (28-6) since George Karl took over in late January, is battling to overtake Houston for the No. 6 seed. Meantime, No. 3 Seattle looks especially vulnerable with injuries and lax play of late. Plus, Karl retains his feud with Seattle President Wally Walker. The league finally put a muzzle on Karl and fined him for criticizing Walker even when Karl was with Milwaukee.
"The karma of basketball (is) always kind of funny how things come around," Karl said. "I compare it to when I went to Seattle. Our first-round opponent was a team that let me go in Golden State. It could be a similar situation."
With concerns about the health of Tim Duncan (three injuries to the same right ankle) and having to face higher scoring teams like the Suns, Sonics, Mavericks or Nuggets, the Spurs took a desperate risk by acquiring Glenn Robinson. Robinson, who supposedly was injured all season in Philadelphia, hit his first three shots in his first game. Said Johnson: "The West is wide-open."
Double dribbles
The Magic reportedly would listen to offers from Michael Jordan or Shaquille O'Neal, both of whom have expressed interest in buying the team. . . . David Kahn, a former Portland NBA beat reporter and Pacers executive, is running the four new teams for the NBDL, which the NBA wants to expand into a minor league for its teams. The current plan is for 15 teams, each shared by two NBA teams. The union would have to agree to the setup and is dubious. . . . Nick Van Exel now says he wants to play another season. He gave up a $14.5 million final year option on his contract to be traded to Dallas, but the Mavs let him go and Portland now won't pick up the option. . . . Kevin Garnett now looks sure for no playoffs with Minnesota losing to Atlanta Saturday and just about out. Said Kevin McHale: "Tonight's game was a microcosm of our year. We went out there and played good for a while, then decided, `Well, it's time for me to get mine.' Selfish, selfish, selfish." . . . Portland has some interest in former Suns coach Frank Johnson, who worked well with Suns youngsters before Mike D'Antoni.
Last shots
With Zydrunas Ilgauskas heading for free agency, the Cavs have tried 6-10 rookie Anderson Varejao at center. Varejao is seen as a player who could have a Tyson Chandler-like big man presence. . . . Knicks courtside spectator Spike Lee, who works with LeBron James for Nike, said he doesn't see why James won't come to New York as a free agent. "There's no guarantee LeBron is going back to Cleveland," Lee said. With talk that new owner Dan Gilbert is even questioning timeout calls, James could be ready to walk sooner than later. . . . Even though general manager Glen Grunwald was fired just last year, the speculation in Toronto is that there might be another management shaking coming. Insiders believe new general manager Rob Babcock and coach Sam Mitchell are each trying to survive by running out the other. President Richard Peddie, who hired Babcock, is said to be in trouble as well. . . . This isn't great news for the Bulls. With Dale Davis re-acquired, Jermaine O'Neal says he's excited to return to the Pacers for the playoffs and not have to do so much dirty work. "If we continue the same thought process and the same approach to the game, it's going to be a long playoff run for us," said O'Neal, who has been out with a sprained shoulder since March 3.
A Bulls win at Washington on Wednesday almost certainly would set up a Bulls-Pacers first-round matchup.
The quotes
It turns out God may not be a Bulls fan, after all. With the Wizards in collapse mode, Gilbert Arenas explained: "God works in mysterious ways. He had us at four (seed) all year, but now he's knocked us back a little bit, maybe trying to see what we're made of."
You can almost see Lakers coach Frank Hamblen with a guitar as he said: "Mothers, don't let your sons grow up to be interim coaches."
BY SAM SMITH
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO - (KRT) - The Bulls are in Atlanta on Saturday, though the larger question may be whether Eddy Curry and/or Tyson Chandler will be there next season.
According to a league executive with knowledge of Atlanta's thinking, the Hawks have Curry, Chandler and the Sixers' Samuel Dalembert as their targets in free agency.
Atlanta, with the league's poorest record, has the best mathematical chance at the No. 1 pick and Utah big man Andrew Bogut. But even if the Hawks get Bogut, they will be more than $20 million below the proposed salary cap after dumping salaries (and games) the last two seasons and they are looking to sign another big man. They have enough money to bid for two with new ownership panting to get back into the playoffs, though there is some question whether they will spend it given their heavy losses and internal ownership disputes.
The Hawks' thinking came before the heart problems suffered by Curry, though indications are he will return to play and then become a restricted free agent along with Chandler. The Bulls have said they'll match offers extended to either or both players.
Atlanta could make a run at Curry like the Miami Heat did in 2003 for the Clippers' Elton Brand. The Clippers matched the maximum offer for Brand, and then the Heat signed fellow Clipper Lamar Odom. Some believed the Heat's plan all along was to extend the Clippers to the point that they wouldn't match on both with front-loaded contracts or large bonuses. Huge, front-loaded deals with bonuses for Curry and Chandler could take the Bulls out of the free-agent market for sometime and make it difficult to add to the roster.
The 76ers are well above the salary cap and might pass on a big offer for the inconsistent Dalembert. It's what the Hawks are hoping, though some say the Hawks are more likely to pursue unrestricted free-agent Stromile Swift, who'll come cheaper than any of the three.
Though Chandler has given every indication he wants to re-sign with the Bulls, the Hawks would be in position to overpay and provide a starting job, which he likely covets.
Insurance, meanwhile, remains an issue for any team interested in Curry. No one knows what Curry's heart issues have been and whether they are serious. If Curry could not be insured because of a pre-existing condition, signing him to a long-term, big-money deal would be a major risk. That was the case with the Nets and Alonzo Mourning, who seemed ready to retire before Toronto accepted a trade and gave Mourning a buyout. Had that not occurred, the Nets would have been liable for the entire contract without insurance protection.
Curry might have to take the one-year qualifying offer and make himself an unrestricted free agent after one more season with the Bulls if teams question his market value after this season.
So while the Bulls now eye teams like Washington and more likely Indiana for the playoffs, the bigger concern could be those deep pockets the Hawks will have this summer.
Pistons in town
The Bulls don't seem likely to catch the Pistons for the Central Division title and No. 2 seed. That means the teams probably won't play each other after Monday unless they meet in the conference finals.
And that's too bad because it would be so much fun to watch (and listen to) Larry Brown and his team go for consecutive NBA titles.
The Pistons haven't been quite themselves lately. They were just 9-8 while Brown was out with a hip ailment. With a bench that looks vulnerable, Brown already has gone to a short rotation with concerns about Carlos Delfino, Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo, saying: "There have been a lot of situations where I don't think these young kids have come off the bench with a desire to play."
As for Milicic, Brown blasted away: "Darko is a young kid that just doesn't get it. He wants to play, but he wants to play on his terms. He sees all these other kids from his draft class playing on bad teams and it's tough for him. If he'd have played last year and we lost, he'd been much happier."
Ouch. Though it's not an issue now, Milicic's playing time could lead to Brown's departure because at some point the Pistons need to find out if their No. 2 overall pick can play.
Big `D' in Dallas
Watch out for Dallas, Denver and Memphis in the West.
The Mavericks have been transformed (meaning they actually try it) on defense since Avery Johnson took over from Don Nelson. Johnson, as an inducement, runs the first play of the game for the best defensive player in the previous gave and the first play of the second half for the best defender in the first half.
Denver, the league's best team (28-6) since George Karl took over in late January, is battling to overtake Houston for the No. 6 seed. Meantime, No. 3 Seattle looks especially vulnerable with injuries and lax play of late. Plus, Karl retains his feud with Seattle President Wally Walker. The league finally put a muzzle on Karl and fined him for criticizing Walker even when Karl was with Milwaukee.
"The karma of basketball (is) always kind of funny how things come around," Karl said. "I compare it to when I went to Seattle. Our first-round opponent was a team that let me go in Golden State. It could be a similar situation."
With concerns about the health of Tim Duncan (three injuries to the same right ankle) and having to face higher scoring teams like the Suns, Sonics, Mavericks or Nuggets, the Spurs took a desperate risk by acquiring Glenn Robinson. Robinson, who supposedly was injured all season in Philadelphia, hit his first three shots in his first game. Said Johnson: "The West is wide-open."
Double dribbles
The Magic reportedly would listen to offers from Michael Jordan or Shaquille O'Neal, both of whom have expressed interest in buying the team. . . . David Kahn, a former Portland NBA beat reporter and Pacers executive, is running the four new teams for the NBDL, which the NBA wants to expand into a minor league for its teams. The current plan is for 15 teams, each shared by two NBA teams. The union would have to agree to the setup and is dubious. . . . Nick Van Exel now says he wants to play another season. He gave up a $14.5 million final year option on his contract to be traded to Dallas, but the Mavs let him go and Portland now won't pick up the option. . . . Kevin Garnett now looks sure for no playoffs with Minnesota losing to Atlanta Saturday and just about out. Said Kevin McHale: "Tonight's game was a microcosm of our year. We went out there and played good for a while, then decided, `Well, it's time for me to get mine.' Selfish, selfish, selfish." . . . Portland has some interest in former Suns coach Frank Johnson, who worked well with Suns youngsters before Mike D'Antoni.
Last shots
With Zydrunas Ilgauskas heading for free agency, the Cavs have tried 6-10 rookie Anderson Varejao at center. Varejao is seen as a player who could have a Tyson Chandler-like big man presence. . . . Knicks courtside spectator Spike Lee, who works with LeBron James for Nike, said he doesn't see why James won't come to New York as a free agent. "There's no guarantee LeBron is going back to Cleveland," Lee said. With talk that new owner Dan Gilbert is even questioning timeout calls, James could be ready to walk sooner than later. . . . Even though general manager Glen Grunwald was fired just last year, the speculation in Toronto is that there might be another management shaking coming. Insiders believe new general manager Rob Babcock and coach Sam Mitchell are each trying to survive by running out the other. President Richard Peddie, who hired Babcock, is said to be in trouble as well. . . . This isn't great news for the Bulls. With Dale Davis re-acquired, Jermaine O'Neal says he's excited to return to the Pacers for the playoffs and not have to do so much dirty work. "If we continue the same thought process and the same approach to the game, it's going to be a long playoff run for us," said O'Neal, who has been out with a sprained shoulder since March 3.
A Bulls win at Washington on Wednesday almost certainly would set up a Bulls-Pacers first-round matchup.
The quotes
It turns out God may not be a Bulls fan, after all. With the Wizards in collapse mode, Gilbert Arenas explained: "God works in mysterious ways. He had us at four (seed) all year, but now he's knocked us back a little bit, maybe trying to see what we're made of."
You can almost see Lakers coach Frank Hamblen with a guitar as he said: "Mothers, don't let your sons grow up to be interim coaches."