ducks
06-13-2006, 09:04 AM
sam Smith's top 5 Bulls' draft scenarios
By Sam Smith
Tribune pro basketball reporter
June 12, 2006
This is a big week for the Bulls with most of the expected top-five draft picks due in for workouts. No. 2 is an ideal position in this draft because when critics look for who made the mistake in the draft, it usually is the team with the No. 1 pick.
This year, there are a half-dozen players -- LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Tyrus Thomas, Adam Morrison, Rudy Gay and Andrea Bargnani -- who have been mentioned as No. 1 overall picks. That's why there has been a tremendous amount of talk about trading down, both because there is no certain No. 1 or No. 2 player and that a team can get a good player farther down in the draft.
Click here to find out more!
Here's a look at some potential Bulls' scenarios:
1. Troy Murphy and No. 9 for No. 2 and something, maybe Michael Sweetney. This is one you hear the most about. The Warriors are desperate for a big man and figure to want a shot at Aldridge or Thomas. They've got to pare payroll and Murphy has five years left, escalating up to almost $12 million. For the Bulls he would be a power forward who could start and hit a jump shot. And the Bulls could use the No. 9 pick and probably get a shooting guard, wing player or combo guard like Ronnie Brewer, Randy Foye or Rodney Carney and still get another big man at No. 16.
2. Grant Hill and No. 11 for No. 2. The Magic would love to move up almost anywhere. It has been trying to move up for Shelden Williams, which wouldn't require a No. 2. It is highly doubtful the Bulls would take such a chance because Hill may not be able to play, though he has played well when he has been able to the last two years. He only has one year left on his deal, which may be a way to preserve salary-cap room for a better free-agent class in 2007.
3. Paul Pierce and No. 7 for Luol Deng and Nos. 2 and 16. Boston says there's no way it is trading Pierce, though rumors have circulated again. I believe the Celtics this time. But Boston's vision has been a young, athletic team and with Deng and No. 2 with the youngsters they have they could be interesting. With No. 7, the Bulls could get a solid big man like Williams, Hilton Armstrong or even Bargnani.
4. Theo Ratliff and No. 4 for No. 2. Portland wants to move up and probably get a shot at Aldridge with the chance of losing Joel Przybilla. It's also time to dump Ratliff's salary. With No. 4, the Bulls probably could get a player they want, maybe even Brandon Roy, and then have some big-man insurance and maybe even make a deal for Tyson Chandler.
5. Stromile Swift and No. 8 for No. 2. I figured the Rockets would like a shot at Morrison to go with McGrady on the perimeter, though the possibilities are endless if they can get up that high and are looking for an athlete. You say Swift is that, but he hasn't worked out there and is likened by some to Thomas. Maybe Scott Skiles could light his fire and then the Bulls get a shot at one of the big guards at No. 8.
SAM'S QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"My relationship with [my players] is very important. But I'm not a player's coach." --Mavs coach Avery Johnson on his successful style with his team
SAM'S LIP READ OF THE WEEK
The Portland Oregonian reported that Bulls general manager John Paxson appeared to say "Roy" in a conversation with Portland President Steve Patterson at the predraft camp. Paxson also was reported to hold out his hand and count down on his fingers.
It is really believed that Paxson was counting the number of teams dumb enough to have traded for Loy Vaught. Or that he might be trading down for Randy Foye. Paxson also is known to enjoy counting the different ways soy can be used in the Midwest. That Paxson can be coy.
By Sam Smith
Tribune pro basketball reporter
June 12, 2006
This is a big week for the Bulls with most of the expected top-five draft picks due in for workouts. No. 2 is an ideal position in this draft because when critics look for who made the mistake in the draft, it usually is the team with the No. 1 pick.
This year, there are a half-dozen players -- LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Tyrus Thomas, Adam Morrison, Rudy Gay and Andrea Bargnani -- who have been mentioned as No. 1 overall picks. That's why there has been a tremendous amount of talk about trading down, both because there is no certain No. 1 or No. 2 player and that a team can get a good player farther down in the draft.
Click here to find out more!
Here's a look at some potential Bulls' scenarios:
1. Troy Murphy and No. 9 for No. 2 and something, maybe Michael Sweetney. This is one you hear the most about. The Warriors are desperate for a big man and figure to want a shot at Aldridge or Thomas. They've got to pare payroll and Murphy has five years left, escalating up to almost $12 million. For the Bulls he would be a power forward who could start and hit a jump shot. And the Bulls could use the No. 9 pick and probably get a shooting guard, wing player or combo guard like Ronnie Brewer, Randy Foye or Rodney Carney and still get another big man at No. 16.
2. Grant Hill and No. 11 for No. 2. The Magic would love to move up almost anywhere. It has been trying to move up for Shelden Williams, which wouldn't require a No. 2. It is highly doubtful the Bulls would take such a chance because Hill may not be able to play, though he has played well when he has been able to the last two years. He only has one year left on his deal, which may be a way to preserve salary-cap room for a better free-agent class in 2007.
3. Paul Pierce and No. 7 for Luol Deng and Nos. 2 and 16. Boston says there's no way it is trading Pierce, though rumors have circulated again. I believe the Celtics this time. But Boston's vision has been a young, athletic team and with Deng and No. 2 with the youngsters they have they could be interesting. With No. 7, the Bulls could get a solid big man like Williams, Hilton Armstrong or even Bargnani.
4. Theo Ratliff and No. 4 for No. 2. Portland wants to move up and probably get a shot at Aldridge with the chance of losing Joel Przybilla. It's also time to dump Ratliff's salary. With No. 4, the Bulls probably could get a player they want, maybe even Brandon Roy, and then have some big-man insurance and maybe even make a deal for Tyson Chandler.
5. Stromile Swift and No. 8 for No. 2. I figured the Rockets would like a shot at Morrison to go with McGrady on the perimeter, though the possibilities are endless if they can get up that high and are looking for an athlete. You say Swift is that, but he hasn't worked out there and is likened by some to Thomas. Maybe Scott Skiles could light his fire and then the Bulls get a shot at one of the big guards at No. 8.
SAM'S QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"My relationship with [my players] is very important. But I'm not a player's coach." --Mavs coach Avery Johnson on his successful style with his team
SAM'S LIP READ OF THE WEEK
The Portland Oregonian reported that Bulls general manager John Paxson appeared to say "Roy" in a conversation with Portland President Steve Patterson at the predraft camp. Paxson also was reported to hold out his hand and count down on his fingers.
It is really believed that Paxson was counting the number of teams dumb enough to have traded for Loy Vaught. Or that he might be trading down for Randy Foye. Paxson also is known to enjoy counting the different ways soy can be used in the Midwest. That Paxson can be coy.