Chicago Bulls Offseason

[RashadzMcCantz]

After Michael Jordan left the Bulls dynasty broke apart with Scottie Pippen leaving for the Houston Rockets as well as legendary coach Phil Jackson departing to coach the Los Angeles Lakers, the Chicago Bulls seemed to be on the verge of a long rebuilding process that would put them out of contention for many years to come.

As the 2003-2004 Season rolled around the Chicago Bulls orginization decided to make many moves. One of them was signing current general manager and former player John Paxon while releasing the man who built the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 90's. As well as making John Paxon manager the Bulls also fired former Center and coach Bill Cartwright and brought a hard nosed coach in by the name of Scott Skiles. Scott Skiles and John Paxon wanted to make sure that this rebuilding process would not take any longer, they were ready to win now.

After incredible past drafts drafting current point guard Kirk Hinrich as well as Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, and Chris Duhon, the Chicago Bulls were looking to bring in two more players that would help them stay on top of the NBA for many years to come. In the 2006 NBA Draft the Chicago Bulls had the second overall pick as well as the sixteenth overall pick to add to the core. The Bulls were mainly looking to get the two most complete basketball players they could and John Paxon made sure that he would get the players he wanted to get.

With the second overall pick in the 2006 draft the Chicago Bulls selected LaMarcus Aldridge out of the University of Texas. As the pick was selected we were informed that a trade was on its way that would send LaMarcus Aldridge to the Portland Trailblazers for the fourth overall pick and Viktor Khryapa. As the fourth selection was to be made the Portland Trailblazers had selected Tyrus Thomas from LSU who was to be sent to Chicago along with Khryapa for LaMarcus Aldridge. The move was basically made by the Blazers to secure and ensure Aldridge as a TrailBlazer and not as a member of the Charlotte Bobcats orginization.

As the thirteenth pick rolled around the Philadelphia 76'ers selected Guard/Forward Thabo Sefolosha from Switzerland. In John Paxon's eyes that was the player the Bulls needed. Thabo Sefolosha is athletic,grabs rebounds, and plays hard defensive everytime he steps onto the court.As the sixteenth pick was announced to be Rodney Carney the Bulls quickly packaged Carney, a million dollars, and a second round pick in the 2007 NBA draft in exchange for Thabo Sefolosha.

As the draft came to a close the Chicago Bulls found themselves with two players they felt could make an immediate impact in the league in Swiss Guard/Forward Thabo Sefolosha and Forward Tyrus Thomas from Louisiana State University.



Forward Tyrus Thomas left and Guard/Forward Thabo Sefolosha right as the Bulls two newest members

As the free agent rumours began to heat up the Chicago Bulls were rumored to pursue "The Big Ticket" Kevin Garnett, Seattle Forward Chris Wilcox, Atlanta Forward Al Harrington and even Philadelphia 76'ers guard Allen Iverson but John Paxon's main interest was Defensive Player of The Year Ben Wallace. As the Pistons made a contract offer of fourty-eight million to the center John Paxon and coach Scott Skiles flew to Detroit to have lunch and talk to Ben Wallace about a possible contract. As the night ended and the two flew back to Chicago news had spread that Ben Wallace had accepted a sixty million,four year contract from John Paxon and the Chicago Bulls.




Defensive Player of The Year Ben Wallace is introduced as the newest member of the Chicago Bulls orginization.

As the Ben Wallace contract was signed everyone thought the Bulls had a wonderful offseason but John Paxon wasn't finshed yet. He also traded center Tyson Chandler to the Hornets for veteran PJ Brown and swingman JR Smith.Smith was not the right fit for the Hornets receiving a reputation as being immature,having a bad work habit and being a cancer in the locker room. PJ Brown had the reputation of being a leader and a veteran for a young Chicago Bulls roster and is expected to help Tyrus Thomas improve his basketball game and exceed to his full potential.



The Chicago Bulls added a veteran big man who is well known for his great leadership and his defense as well as his solid outside shot

The Bulls have also signed free agent forward and former Chicago Bull Adrian Griffin to a three year contract to be another veteran leader on a young and team. Adrian was a starter on a championship team in Dallas and when he was asked about how he would feel about coming off the bench, Griffin simply stated "I have no problem with that," Griffin said. "I've been a role player my whole career."

Rumors- It has been rumored that the Chicago Bulls are close to trading JR Smith to the Denver Nuggets for two future second round picks as well as Howard Eisley who would be immediatley released by the Bulls.

It has also been rumored that the only player still in the NBA from the 1990's championship teams Toni Kukoc could be signed by the Bulls as a free agent to add to the veteran leadership to increase the character in the locker room as well as on the court


Major Acquisitions- Ben Wallace, PJ Brown,JR Smith,Adrian Griffin

Major Departures- Darius Songaila,Tyson Chandler,Othella Harrington

[Mobruler]

I wasn't really sure what the Bulls were doing when they gave up on Tyson Chandler this offseason. You bring in PJ Brown to bring in some leadership to the young bigs in the locker room and hopefully rub off a little grittyness, but I thought that's what Ben Wallace was brought in for. I thought the Bulls should have waited another year on Tyson to see what he could do under Ben Wallace's tutelage, because he's still a young dude with lots of upside.

Also I think if the Bulls are serious about contending for the Conference, they need someone to emerge on the next level as a scorer. Whether it be Hinrich, or Gordon assuming he starts, the Bulls ned a clear go to guy. I'd like to see Gordon be that guy because he definately has the capability to do so.

[KirkHinrich12]

Well Chandler had to go b/c of his contract.

[RashadzMcCantz]

When the Bulls made the deal I was excited because of J.R Smith and I really thought that he could fit well with our orginization and could possibly become a great player under a great orginization and coaching staff. After trading him to the Nuggets I began to dislike the deal, we gave up Tyson Chandler and acquired PJ Brown,I didn't find the point of adding more leadership because we already had Ben Wallace and after signing Adrian Griffin this deal seemed pointless and I'm not sure how much PJ Brown can help us next season.

[KirkHinrich12]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RashadzMcCantz @ Aug 21 2006, 06:30 PM) [snapback]16724[/snapback]</div>

When the Bulls made the deal I was excited because of J.R Smith and I really thought that he could fit well with our orginization and could possibly become a great player under a great orginization and coaching staff. After trading him to the Nuggets I began to dislike the deal, we gave up Tyson Chandler and acquired PJ Brown,I didn't find the point of adding more leadership because we already had Ben Wallace and after signing Adrian Griffin this deal seemed pointless and I'm not sure how much PJ Brown can help us next season.
[/b]

Well I think it was more a financial move more than anything. Brown's contract expires, and we need the dought to lock up Hinrich, Gordon, Chapu, and Deng.