Interesting Scenario

[Chisoxfn]

If the Bulls renounce the rights to Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer this offseason and then decline Corie Blounts option, they will be roughly 12 mill under the cap.

 

Now if you add that to the fact that the Charlotte expansion draft is going to happen before FA and the Bulls will likely leave AD, JYD, and Erob unprotected then the Bulls could end up putting themselves in a position where they could get Kobe Bryant without giving up any of their big guys.

 

This all assumes that one of the three expensive Bulls is selected in the expansion draft and I think there is a possibility that one of JYD and Erob will be selected.

 

This would then leave the Bulls with about 18 million under the cap, meaning they could offer Kobe Bryant a max contract.

 

After signing Kobe, they would still have about 4 million to toss around in a market where guys like Qrichardson, Manu Ginobli, and Hedu Turkolu, etc.

 

Those are all quality players, one of which would probably be willing to come for a little less, soley to play alongside Kobe and have a shot at winning it all.

 

Now you also have the Bulls with one of the top few picks in the draft and they can then either take Okafor or deal the pick and keep Chandler. But one of the two will also be used as bait to bring in a good player.

 

How does a starting lineup of

 

Hinrich

Kobe

Trade/FA (Kobe could also play here if the Bulls signed a 2)

Okafor or Chandler (One gets dealt)

Curry

 

AD is the backup center and power forward or JYD is because the Bulls would keep one of the two. They still have guys like Dupree, etc and would probably sign a guy like Baxter to be one of the back up big men.

 

This type of lineup would be pretty damn amazing. And Kobe, Hinrich and Okafor alll are shutdown defensive players.

 

So if I'm going to hope for anything, this is going to be it. It would be a way for hte Bulls to instantly make themselves contenders for the NBA Finals.

[whitesox61382]

If the Bulls renounce the rights to Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer this offseason and then decline Corie Blounts option, they will be roughly 12 mill under the cap. 

 

Now if you add that to the fact that the Charlotte expansion draft is going to happen before FA and the Bulls will likely leave AD, JYD, and Erob unprotected then the Bulls could end up putting themselves in a position where they could get Kobe Bryant without giving up any of their big guys.

 

This all assumes that one of the three expensive Bulls is selected in the expansion draft and I think there is a possibility that one of JYD and Erob will be selected. 

 

This would then leave the Bulls with about 18 million under the cap, meaning they could offer Kobe Bryant a max contract.

 

After signing Kobe, they would still have about 4 million to toss around in a market where guys like Qrichardson, Manu Ginobli, and Hedu Turkolu, etc. 

 

Those are all quality players, one of which would probably be willing to come for a little less, soley to play alongside Kobe and have a shot at winning it all. 

 

Now you also have the Bulls with one of the top few picks in the draft and they can then either take Okafor or deal the pick and keep Chandler.  But one of the two will also be used as bait to bring in a good player.

 

How does a starting lineup of

 

Hinrich

Kobe

Trade/FA (Kobe could also play here if the Bulls signed a 2)

Okafor or Chandler (One gets dealt)

Curry

 

AD is the backup center and power forward or JYD is because the Bulls would keep one of the two.  They still have guys like Dupree, etc and would probably sign a guy like Baxter to be one of the back up big men.

 

This type of lineup would be pretty damn amazing.  And Kobe, Hinrich and Okafor alll are shutdown defensive players. 

 

So if I'm going to hope for anything, this is going to be it.  It would be a way for hte Bulls to instantly make themselves contenders for the NBA Finals.

Thats great in theory, but you know that it is going to never happen. The Bulls have had a ton of cap space for the past 5+ years with the idea of going after the big name FA, but none of them want to play for the Bulls, and I highly doubt that Kobe is any different.

 

I also doubt that the Bulls get Okafor. Right now the Bulls would have the 2nd pick(assuming the lottery doesn't mess that up), but they will get some competition from the Hawks now they they gutted their team. Washington and Phoenix are also one long losing streak away from moving the Bulls down in the draft.

 

Furthermore, I hear great things about Dwight Howard, but I don't see how the team with the 1st pick won't pick Okafor(I realize that most mock drafts have Howard going #1). IMO, IF Howard develops into the player that most think he will be, than he will be almost similar to Okafor now. Okafor is much further along in the development and is a much safer/proven pick. I truely believe that he is the best big man to come out of college since Duncan. His defense is remarkable. Not only does he block almost 5 shots a game, but the number of shots that he alters and the reluctance of guards to drive to the hole because of his presence is amazing. I don't know if I have ever seen such a fundamentally sound defensive big man, especially the ability to play D/block shots without fouling(usually a problem for big man). His offensive game has improved by leaps and bounds over the last 2 years. His freshman year his offense came from garbage points. This year he has developed a decent mid-range jumper and some solid post moves(much improved foot work down low). He is Ben Wallace(a true 6'9 though) with a much better offensive game(and maybe even better defense). If the Bulls get Okafor you guys should jump for joy, and it would allow the Bulls to trade either Curry or Chandler for a scoring forward/guard.

 

The Bulls are in a tough situation. They have a bunch of youngsters with good upside, but who haven't lived up to the potential, and a mix of veteran role players. This was suppose to be the year the Bulls started to put it together, but instead they have regressed some. It will be a couple more years before they are good again, but they are starting to put the pieces together. I really like Hinrick at the PG. Crawford could be very good if he had better shot selection and played some D. Curry/Chandler are both talented big man that could put it together. Add a top 5 pick(likely) and a decent FA(scoring forward/guard), and you have a decent foundation.

[southsider2k5]

It'd be nice and all, but with Jordan sabatoguing FA's coming to Chicago, it is too risky.

[DBAHO]

My money's still on Kobe becomin a Clipper.

[Purdue129]

Chicago is one of the few places that could have the money to get Kobe. The Bulls would be perfect for him too. He'd get to play in a big market, on a team where he is the leader. Hell, he'd be the biggest star in the entire Eastern Conference.

 

If the Bulls don't make a run at him this off season, I think I'd lose what little faith I have left in the team. The excitement around the team would do a complete 180 by bringing him in.

[Chisoxfn]

It'd be nice and all, but with Jordan sabatoguing FA's coming to Chicago, it is too risky.

Here's the thing, if they fail, what really have they lost other then Crawford and Blount. Fizer wasn't coming back anyway and its not like the Bulls don't have all that money still out there to throw around at a few players. Heck, bring in Qrich and Ginobli or Turkolu.

 

That gives you two guys who I Think are as good as Crawford and both are better team players.

 

To me the worse case scenario is things don't work out, you lose Crawford and now have money to go after another two or so young players.

 

Or you could sign a few vets and keep your cap room for next year.