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Sam plays general manager
By Sam Smith
Tribune pro basketball reporter
May 29, 2006
A look at 10 players the Bulls might be able to get in trade because of questions their teams have regarding finances or their continued roles.
1. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kings: The Nets passed on him last year because of physical problems, but he was fine with the Kings, playing in 72 games and averaging 12.3 off the bench. Sacramento is undergoing a major transformation with Ron Artest and Bonzi Wells. Abdur-Rahim has a reasonable deal, four years left at about $6 million, and could be a low-post scoring threat. Maybe Chris Duhon and the No. 16 pick would do the trick.
2. Mickael Pietrus, Warriors: He is an under-used defensive talent who can be that big shooting guard. Golden State is in luxury-tax trouble and probably can't afford to extend Pietrus. How about Pietrus and Troy Murphy, a power forward who can step outside and make a shot, for both No. 1 picks and a reserve like Michael Sweetney or Duhon? That should still give the Bulls enough money left to add one big man through free agency.
3. Shawn Marion, Suns: A deal would seem unlikely the way he has played in the playoffs. But the Suns' future is based on Amare Stoudemire and it will cost them to bring back Tim Thomas and Boris Diaw this year and next. They won't go into the luxury tax and are said to like Tyrus Thomas for development. The way they play, they'd love Ben Gordon. What about the No. 2 pick and Ben Gordon for Marion and Nos. 21 and 27? That would leave the Bulls salary cap room for a front-court player and three low first-round picks.
4. Zach Randolph, Blazers: Maybe, like with Rasheed Wallace, leaving Portland is the cure. And maybe with a former Michigan Stater who keeps in close touch with the program in Scott Skiles, Randolph can be salvaged. He's a legitimate post-up threat who can score big. And they're still trying to cut payroll for a possible sale. How about Randolph, Theo Ratliff and No. 4 for Nos. 2 and 16 and a player, perhaps Sweetney or Gordon?
5. Brad Miller, Kings: He hasn't been very good in the playoffs, but he might fit better in an Eastern style. Maybe a swap of centers with Tyson Chandler joining Sacramento's more defensive game plan.
6. J.R. Smith: Hornets: He has been banished by the team and will be moved. He's a risk and doesn't have much more experience than most draft picks. But the second first-round pick or a player like Sweetney could do it.
7. Marquis Daniels, Mavs: He doesn't get much chance to show off given Dallas' depth. His contract is big and the Mavs are well over the salary cap. Dallas could do it for Gordon because it isn't certain about re-signing Jason Terry. Maybe with the Mavs' No. 28 pick tossed in.
8. Stephen Jackson, Pacers: He is a big shooting guard and the Pacers would like to get rid of him, but deals within the division are unlikely. The Bulls don't usually take a chance on guys with rock-head reputations and probably would fear him infecting the group. But they probably could do it for Duhon as the Pacers are short at point guard.
9. Corey Maggette: Clippers: When I first brought him up as a salary dump for the No. 16 pick, which still makes sense to me, I got an angry call from a Clippers executive. No way, he said. But they use Quentin Ross and Daniel Ewing so much and have to re-sign Sam Cassell and Vladimir Radmanovic, so it makes sense. Maybe throw in Sweetney.
10. Chris Mihm, Lakers: The Bulls once thought Jamal Crawford was better and flipped in that 2000 draft. The Lakers are starting to realize they don't have many moves, so what about a switch with Tyson Chandler? The Lakers would have to throw in extra bodies, and they might not have enough to make it work. Mihm can play a little in the post and score, though he's hardly the answer.
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Brad Miller would probably like coming back to the Midwest. Don't know if Sac would be interested.
As for Chris Duhon for Jax? If Bird is going to get on Jax's case next year I'd like to keep Jax. He is a good player. The other problem is we already have 3 point guards under contract. We would have to get rid of at least one. As for Sam's contention the Pacers are short at point guard? Well Tins, and AJ, are 6'3, and Sarunas is 6'4. Duhon is only 6'1. What the Pacers lack at point isn't height it's quickness.
NBA Draftnets 2004 profile for Duhon.
Strengths: Has great imagination/confidence/intelligence on the floor. Knocks down 3's with a picture perfect jumpshot. A relentless defender, a 'ballhawk'. Really excels at point guard duties, setting up teammates, ball handling, controlling the action, taking defenders off the dribble, and can get to the rim and finish. Great character and work ethic. Extremely quick, gifted athlete. Contrary to what some might tell you, has good leaping ability.
Weaknesses: Strength. Not as strong as Jason Williams. Can't physically wear down opponents with his strength, but conditioning will improve this. Can be too unselfish.
PS. One thing I liked when I looked at Duhon's stats on NBA.com. He's a co-captain. That means leadership ability.
Sam plays general manager
By Sam Smith
Tribune pro basketball reporter
May 29, 2006
A look at 10 players the Bulls might be able to get in trade because of questions their teams have regarding finances or their continued roles.
1. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kings: The Nets passed on him last year because of physical problems, but he was fine with the Kings, playing in 72 games and averaging 12.3 off the bench. Sacramento is undergoing a major transformation with Ron Artest and Bonzi Wells. Abdur-Rahim has a reasonable deal, four years left at about $6 million, and could be a low-post scoring threat. Maybe Chris Duhon and the No. 16 pick would do the trick.
2. Mickael Pietrus, Warriors: He is an under-used defensive talent who can be that big shooting guard. Golden State is in luxury-tax trouble and probably can't afford to extend Pietrus. How about Pietrus and Troy Murphy, a power forward who can step outside and make a shot, for both No. 1 picks and a reserve like Michael Sweetney or Duhon? That should still give the Bulls enough money left to add one big man through free agency.
3. Shawn Marion, Suns: A deal would seem unlikely the way he has played in the playoffs. But the Suns' future is based on Amare Stoudemire and it will cost them to bring back Tim Thomas and Boris Diaw this year and next. They won't go into the luxury tax and are said to like Tyrus Thomas for development. The way they play, they'd love Ben Gordon. What about the No. 2 pick and Ben Gordon for Marion and Nos. 21 and 27? That would leave the Bulls salary cap room for a front-court player and three low first-round picks.
4. Zach Randolph, Blazers: Maybe, like with Rasheed Wallace, leaving Portland is the cure. And maybe with a former Michigan Stater who keeps in close touch with the program in Scott Skiles, Randolph can be salvaged. He's a legitimate post-up threat who can score big. And they're still trying to cut payroll for a possible sale. How about Randolph, Theo Ratliff and No. 4 for Nos. 2 and 16 and a player, perhaps Sweetney or Gordon?
5. Brad Miller, Kings: He hasn't been very good in the playoffs, but he might fit better in an Eastern style. Maybe a swap of centers with Tyson Chandler joining Sacramento's more defensive game plan.
6. J.R. Smith: Hornets: He has been banished by the team and will be moved. He's a risk and doesn't have much more experience than most draft picks. But the second first-round pick or a player like Sweetney could do it.
7. Marquis Daniels, Mavs: He doesn't get much chance to show off given Dallas' depth. His contract is big and the Mavs are well over the salary cap. Dallas could do it for Gordon because it isn't certain about re-signing Jason Terry. Maybe with the Mavs' No. 28 pick tossed in.
8. Stephen Jackson, Pacers: He is a big shooting guard and the Pacers would like to get rid of him, but deals within the division are unlikely. The Bulls don't usually take a chance on guys with rock-head reputations and probably would fear him infecting the group. But they probably could do it for Duhon as the Pacers are short at point guard.
9. Corey Maggette: Clippers: When I first brought him up as a salary dump for the No. 16 pick, which still makes sense to me, I got an angry call from a Clippers executive. No way, he said. But they use Quentin Ross and Daniel Ewing so much and have to re-sign Sam Cassell and Vladimir Radmanovic, so it makes sense. Maybe throw in Sweetney.
10. Chris Mihm, Lakers: The Bulls once thought Jamal Crawford was better and flipped in that 2000 draft. The Lakers are starting to realize they don't have many moves, so what about a switch with Tyson Chandler? The Lakers would have to throw in extra bodies, and they might not have enough to make it work. Mihm can play a little in the post and score, though he's hardly the answer.
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Brad Miller would probably like coming back to the Midwest. Don't know if Sac would be interested.
As for Chris Duhon for Jax? If Bird is going to get on Jax's case next year I'd like to keep Jax. He is a good player. The other problem is we already have 3 point guards under contract. We would have to get rid of at least one. As for Sam's contention the Pacers are short at point guard? Well Tins, and AJ, are 6'3, and Sarunas is 6'4. Duhon is only 6'1. What the Pacers lack at point isn't height it's quickness.
NBA Draftnets 2004 profile for Duhon.
Strengths: Has great imagination/confidence/intelligence on the floor. Knocks down 3's with a picture perfect jumpshot. A relentless defender, a 'ballhawk'. Really excels at point guard duties, setting up teammates, ball handling, controlling the action, taking defenders off the dribble, and can get to the rim and finish. Great character and work ethic. Extremely quick, gifted athlete. Contrary to what some might tell you, has good leaping ability.
Weaknesses: Strength. Not as strong as Jason Williams. Can't physically wear down opponents with his strength, but conditioning will improve this. Can be too unselfish.
PS. One thing I liked when I looked at Duhon's stats on NBA.com. He's a co-captain. That means leadership ability.
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