ducks
07-15-2006, 10:21 AM
Wallace's up-front money benefits Bulls
By Marlen Garcia
Tribune staff reporter
Ben Wallace is in line for a big paycheck in the first year of his four-year, $60 million contract with the Bulls.
The Bulls had about $17.5 million in salary-cap space for this season, and general manager John Paxson said Thursday that most of it is going to Wallace.
Wallace benefits by getting more money up front, and the structure of the deal helps the Bulls absorb contract extensions to Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng in the coming seasons.
By giving Wallace less money later, his contract could be easier to move if a trade comes up.
Trade winds
With almost no money left to spend on a free agent, Paxson is looking at making another trade to add a veteran. He has flexibility with the contracts of Malik Allen, Michael Sweetney and J.R. Smith, who was acquired along with P.J. Brown in the Tyson Chandler trade.
Paxson will not have the funds to bring back free agent Darius Songaila, who was a top reserve for the Bulls last season.
Rookie review
Thabo Sefolosha's debut as a Bull was cut short in summer-league play in Orlando. The 6-foot-7-inch guard from Switzerland sustained a minor hip flexor injury and is returning to Chicago to be checked out by the Bulls' doctor, Skiles said.
Skiles said he is pleased with the progress of Tyrus Thomas, who has shown flashes of his athleticism. Thomas scored 13 points to go with four rebounds, three blocks and three steals in the Bulls' 93-87 loss to the Magic, led by former Marquette star Travis Diener's 34 points, on Thursday.
"Tyrus has gotten steadily better," Skiles said.
"We're giving him some freedom to try to expand his offensive game. We feel like he's making pretty good decisions with the ball."
Skiles had been with the rookies in Orlando but returned for Wallace's news conference at the Berto Center.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-060713bullsbits,1,5597318.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines
By Marlen Garcia
Tribune staff reporter
Ben Wallace is in line for a big paycheck in the first year of his four-year, $60 million contract with the Bulls.
The Bulls had about $17.5 million in salary-cap space for this season, and general manager John Paxson said Thursday that most of it is going to Wallace.
Wallace benefits by getting more money up front, and the structure of the deal helps the Bulls absorb contract extensions to Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng in the coming seasons.
By giving Wallace less money later, his contract could be easier to move if a trade comes up.
Trade winds
With almost no money left to spend on a free agent, Paxson is looking at making another trade to add a veteran. He has flexibility with the contracts of Malik Allen, Michael Sweetney and J.R. Smith, who was acquired along with P.J. Brown in the Tyson Chandler trade.
Paxson will not have the funds to bring back free agent Darius Songaila, who was a top reserve for the Bulls last season.
Rookie review
Thabo Sefolosha's debut as a Bull was cut short in summer-league play in Orlando. The 6-foot-7-inch guard from Switzerland sustained a minor hip flexor injury and is returning to Chicago to be checked out by the Bulls' doctor, Skiles said.
Skiles said he is pleased with the progress of Tyrus Thomas, who has shown flashes of his athleticism. Thomas scored 13 points to go with four rebounds, three blocks and three steals in the Bulls' 93-87 loss to the Magic, led by former Marquette star Travis Diener's 34 points, on Thursday.
"Tyrus has gotten steadily better," Skiles said.
"We're giving him some freedom to try to expand his offensive game. We feel like he's making pretty good decisions with the ball."
Skiles had been with the rookies in Orlando but returned for Wallace's news conference at the Berto Center.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-060713bullsbits,1,5597318.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines