Burn531
01-24-2007, 03:06 PM
General manager John Paxson said he would be open to any and all trade offers prior to the Feb. 22 deadline, but as has been the case in recent years, he's not convinced the Bulls have advanced far enough to disrupt their young nucleus in a blockbuster move.
While the scrambled Eastern Conference is there to be had, the consensus is that the Bulls aren't in the same class as Western Conference contenders.
"I'll explore whatever we can explore," said Paxson, who addressed the immediate future of the team, among other topics, prior to Tuesday night's date with the Atlanta Hawks. "If there's a deal out there, we'll see if we can be part of a trade. If not, we'll have to survive the way we're built right now."
Paxson neither confirmed nor denied interest in Memphis Grizzlies star forward Pau Gasol, who's been mentioned prominently in trade rumors.
According to a league source, the Bulls offered a package that includes guard Ben Gordon, forward P.J. Brown and a first round draft pick in return for Gasol, who has requested a trade. The source also said Brown would be included in any trade made before the deadline.
As it has been since the start of the season, an established inside scorer remains atop the Bulls' wish list.
"I don't know how many times I can say that I would like to have a guy like that," said Paxson, who did not mention Gasol by name. "But for the good of the organization and my responsibility to ownership, I can't give too much to get something. We're not in that position right now."
Paxson conceded it would be difficult to part with Gordon and forward Luol Deng in partciular at this time.
The emergence of Deng and Gordon as consistent scorers has been the most positive story line of the season thus far.
"They have more value today than when the season started," Paxson said. "Everybody in this league would love to have Lu Deng and Ben Gordon. I'm glad we have them."
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/sports/226639,241SPT9.article
While the scrambled Eastern Conference is there to be had, the consensus is that the Bulls aren't in the same class as Western Conference contenders.
"I'll explore whatever we can explore," said Paxson, who addressed the immediate future of the team, among other topics, prior to Tuesday night's date with the Atlanta Hawks. "If there's a deal out there, we'll see if we can be part of a trade. If not, we'll have to survive the way we're built right now."
Paxson neither confirmed nor denied interest in Memphis Grizzlies star forward Pau Gasol, who's been mentioned prominently in trade rumors.
According to a league source, the Bulls offered a package that includes guard Ben Gordon, forward P.J. Brown and a first round draft pick in return for Gasol, who has requested a trade. The source also said Brown would be included in any trade made before the deadline.
As it has been since the start of the season, an established inside scorer remains atop the Bulls' wish list.
"I don't know how many times I can say that I would like to have a guy like that," said Paxson, who did not mention Gasol by name. "But for the good of the organization and my responsibility to ownership, I can't give too much to get something. We're not in that position right now."
Paxson conceded it would be difficult to part with Gordon and forward Luol Deng in partciular at this time.
The emergence of Deng and Gordon as consistent scorers has been the most positive story line of the season thus far.
"They have more value today than when the season started," Paxson said. "Everybody in this league would love to have Lu Deng and Ben Gordon. I'm glad we have them."
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/sports/226639,241SPT9.article