ducks
06-02-2004, 12:33 PM
If the Bulls trade their No. 3 draft pick for an established player this summer, they'll need to send someone along to even out the salaries.
Eddie Robinson and Jerome Williams are the leading candidates to be included in such a deal. But another possibility is Scottie Pippen, who has one year left on his contract at $5.4 million.
Even though Pippen, 38, has left the door slightly ajar to the possibility that he could play next season if his left knee feels better, Bulls general manager John Paxson is willing to trade Pippen if the right deal comes along this summer.
"To get deals done, you need salaries to match up," Paxson said. "We'll have to use whatever means we have to make a deal. I can't rule out anything or rule in anything."
Pippen is attractive trade bait because he has just one year left on his contract. Robinson has two years remaining and Williams four.
Paxson's job will be to find a deal that makes sense before the June 24 NBA draft.
In theory, trading down with Utah at No. 14 or 16 to get Matt Harpring sounds good for the Bulls. He's the kind of hard-nosed, defensive-minded forward Paxson is seeking. But Harpring played just 31 games last season because of a knee injury and might be seen as too big a risk.
Indiana's Al Harrington is a possibility, but the Bulls would probably want more in return. Harrington and guard Fred Jones for the No. 3 pick, Robinson or Williams, and a low-salaried player like Chris Jefferies would work.
Harrington figures to be expendable because he plays the same position as Ron Artest. The Pacers could use help at guard, particularly with Reggie Miller on the verge of retirement, and center.
If the Pacers like the idea of obtaining the No. 3 draft pick, the Bulls might just suggest swapping the pick and a player for Artest. Even though the NBA's reigning defensive player of the year was traded from the Bulls in 2002, Paxson remains an Artest fan.
Curry back at Berto: As expected, center Eddy Curry stopped at the Berto Center on Tuesday morning to work on basketball skills with the Bulls' coaching staff. Curry plans to continue using personal trainer Tim Grover in the evenings.
"We just want our coaches to be able to work on his skill level," John Paxson said. "It's all to help him. We want this to be a good environment for him. We're hoping he comes in three days a week."
With a heavy emphasis on self-improvement this summer, there is some concern that leading scorer Jamal Crawford has not visited the Berto Center. He's a restricted free agent and plans to explore his options when the NBA's negotiating period begins on July 1. But there is also a strong possibility that Crawford will be back with the Bulls next season.
Expansion list due: By June 11, the Bulls must submit an eight-man list of players they will protect in the expansion draft. John Paxson doesn't plan to make the list public, but there aren't many questions about the Bulls' intentions.
Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford and Kirk Hinrich are certain to be protected, with Linton Johnson a strong possibility. Paxson has said he will protect Marcus Fizer, only to keep open the slight possibility of using him in a sign-and-trade.
The Bulls will not protect Eddie Robinson, Jerome Williams, Antonio Davis or Chris Jefferies. So the final two protected slots will be distributed among Scottie Pippen, Ronald Dupree and Jannero Pargo.
The Charlotte Bobcats are not likely to select any Bulls in the June 22 expansion draft.limk (http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bulls.asp?intID=38140127)
Eddie Robinson and Jerome Williams are the leading candidates to be included in such a deal. But another possibility is Scottie Pippen, who has one year left on his contract at $5.4 million.
Even though Pippen, 38, has left the door slightly ajar to the possibility that he could play next season if his left knee feels better, Bulls general manager John Paxson is willing to trade Pippen if the right deal comes along this summer.
"To get deals done, you need salaries to match up," Paxson said. "We'll have to use whatever means we have to make a deal. I can't rule out anything or rule in anything."
Pippen is attractive trade bait because he has just one year left on his contract. Robinson has two years remaining and Williams four.
Paxson's job will be to find a deal that makes sense before the June 24 NBA draft.
In theory, trading down with Utah at No. 14 or 16 to get Matt Harpring sounds good for the Bulls. He's the kind of hard-nosed, defensive-minded forward Paxson is seeking. But Harpring played just 31 games last season because of a knee injury and might be seen as too big a risk.
Indiana's Al Harrington is a possibility, but the Bulls would probably want more in return. Harrington and guard Fred Jones for the No. 3 pick, Robinson or Williams, and a low-salaried player like Chris Jefferies would work.
Harrington figures to be expendable because he plays the same position as Ron Artest. The Pacers could use help at guard, particularly with Reggie Miller on the verge of retirement, and center.
If the Pacers like the idea of obtaining the No. 3 draft pick, the Bulls might just suggest swapping the pick and a player for Artest. Even though the NBA's reigning defensive player of the year was traded from the Bulls in 2002, Paxson remains an Artest fan.
Curry back at Berto: As expected, center Eddy Curry stopped at the Berto Center on Tuesday morning to work on basketball skills with the Bulls' coaching staff. Curry plans to continue using personal trainer Tim Grover in the evenings.
"We just want our coaches to be able to work on his skill level," John Paxson said. "It's all to help him. We want this to be a good environment for him. We're hoping he comes in three days a week."
With a heavy emphasis on self-improvement this summer, there is some concern that leading scorer Jamal Crawford has not visited the Berto Center. He's a restricted free agent and plans to explore his options when the NBA's negotiating period begins on July 1. But there is also a strong possibility that Crawford will be back with the Bulls next season.
Expansion list due: By June 11, the Bulls must submit an eight-man list of players they will protect in the expansion draft. John Paxson doesn't plan to make the list public, but there aren't many questions about the Bulls' intentions.
Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford and Kirk Hinrich are certain to be protected, with Linton Johnson a strong possibility. Paxson has said he will protect Marcus Fizer, only to keep open the slight possibility of using him in a sign-and-trade.
The Bulls will not protect Eddie Robinson, Jerome Williams, Antonio Davis or Chris Jefferies. So the final two protected slots will be distributed among Scottie Pippen, Ronald Dupree and Jannero Pargo.
The Charlotte Bobcats are not likely to select any Bulls in the June 22 expansion draft.limk (http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bulls.asp?intID=38140127)