SenorSpur
05-25-2006, 01:48 PM
Now that the Bulls have lucked into the 2nd overall pick of this year's draft, they have a plethora of options at their disposal - including drafting a center or perhaps packaging the pick and making a potential run at KG.
Either way, the question is how would those moves affect their supposed interest in Nazr? I found this article on Real GM.
DEERFIELD – The possibilities seemed limitless for general manager John Paxson a day after learning the Bulls landed the second pick in June's NBA draft.
The Bulls could do any number of things with the pick, which was acquired from the Knicks in the Eddy Curry deal.
"We'll have a lot of options," said Paxson, who would be picking in the top seven for the third time in four seasons as GM.
One of those options is keeping it and taking one of the two players many believe to be the best long term – Texas' LaMarcus Aldridge or LSU's Tyrus Thomas, both forwards.
Italy's Andrea Bargnani, a 20-year-old 7-footer some liken to Dirk Nowitzki, could be the guy if Toronto passes on him with the top pick.
All of those players have height, something Paxson admits is the Bulls' biggest weakness.
"I think there are very good players in this draft," Paxson said. "Everyone's going to tell you – and they're right – that there's not a LeBron James in here, a Dwyane Wade, right now. But that's OK.
"It gives us an opportunity – if we elect to keep it – to pick a guy we like."
Reading between the lines, Paxson seems inclined to trade the pick for seasoned talent – if he can find the right deal.
"I sit and ask myself all of the time," Paxson said, " 'Are we young enough now, and do we need to get more veteran help?' "
Minnesota's Kevin Garnett reportedly is on the market, but Paxson probably would have to package the pick and at least one of his team's core players – Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni or Kirk Hinrich – to make that happen.
"I like our perimeter players," Paxson said. "They're all young, they're all going to get better, they all have a unique talent."
An alternative would be trading for someone else with a high salary, someone whose current team has "luxury tax issues," Paxson said. The Bulls have about $15 million in cap space to use this summer.
If a deal cannot be made and the Bulls keep the pick, they might not necessarily use it for height – they could take another guard, such as Washington's Brandon Roy.
"I think sometimes you make a mistake if you just go for need," Paxson said. "My instincts are, you take the best player available and let the other things sort themselves out."
No opposing GMs have called yet, said Paxson, who will plan as though the Bulls will pick second.
"I'd be surprised if there was an interest in [the second pick]," said Paxson, who could have been posturing. "I'm prepared for there not to be."
Duhon recovering: Guard Chris Duhon on Wednesday had "successful" surgery on his back to remove a herniated disc, the Bulls reported.
"He'll be fine; he'll be playing this summer," Paxson said.
By DAVID BROWN
[email protected]
Either way, the question is how would those moves affect their supposed interest in Nazr? I found this article on Real GM.
DEERFIELD – The possibilities seemed limitless for general manager John Paxson a day after learning the Bulls landed the second pick in June's NBA draft.
The Bulls could do any number of things with the pick, which was acquired from the Knicks in the Eddy Curry deal.
"We'll have a lot of options," said Paxson, who would be picking in the top seven for the third time in four seasons as GM.
One of those options is keeping it and taking one of the two players many believe to be the best long term – Texas' LaMarcus Aldridge or LSU's Tyrus Thomas, both forwards.
Italy's Andrea Bargnani, a 20-year-old 7-footer some liken to Dirk Nowitzki, could be the guy if Toronto passes on him with the top pick.
All of those players have height, something Paxson admits is the Bulls' biggest weakness.
"I think there are very good players in this draft," Paxson said. "Everyone's going to tell you – and they're right – that there's not a LeBron James in here, a Dwyane Wade, right now. But that's OK.
"It gives us an opportunity – if we elect to keep it – to pick a guy we like."
Reading between the lines, Paxson seems inclined to trade the pick for seasoned talent – if he can find the right deal.
"I sit and ask myself all of the time," Paxson said, " 'Are we young enough now, and do we need to get more veteran help?' "
Minnesota's Kevin Garnett reportedly is on the market, but Paxson probably would have to package the pick and at least one of his team's core players – Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni or Kirk Hinrich – to make that happen.
"I like our perimeter players," Paxson said. "They're all young, they're all going to get better, they all have a unique talent."
An alternative would be trading for someone else with a high salary, someone whose current team has "luxury tax issues," Paxson said. The Bulls have about $15 million in cap space to use this summer.
If a deal cannot be made and the Bulls keep the pick, they might not necessarily use it for height – they could take another guard, such as Washington's Brandon Roy.
"I think sometimes you make a mistake if you just go for need," Paxson said. "My instincts are, you take the best player available and let the other things sort themselves out."
No opposing GMs have called yet, said Paxson, who will plan as though the Bulls will pick second.
"I'd be surprised if there was an interest in [the second pick]," said Paxson, who could have been posturing. "I'm prepared for there not to be."
Duhon recovering: Guard Chris Duhon on Wednesday had "successful" surgery on his back to remove a herniated disc, the Bulls reported.
"He'll be fine; he'll be playing this summer," Paxson said.
By DAVID BROWN
[email protected]