Agent: Ben Gordon receives $11M guarantee from Pistons

[FedEx227]

What do some of you guys mean he's not worth some of that money. Without him the Bulls are not even close with the Celtics in that 1st round series.

But with him what are they?

That's my point. Status quo is not going to get it done for the Bulls. Unless Tyrus Thomas all of a sudden becomes twice the player he was before.

[FedEx227]

Yeah definitely... I mean it's possible, but not without some creative moves, then the problem goes, okay so you acquired these expiring deals to attempt to make a run at 2010. Well now, you're going to deal all or some of those deals to keep Gordon and have practically the exact same team for the next few years.

I don't think that's a wise move. While I feel Gordon will be pretty tough to lose, looking at the bigger picture it's best the Bulls go in a different direction and attempt to make some moves at other FAs around the league to not have the exact same team. I really don't think this group of guys is ever going to take that next step, they had a chance to do it in 2007 and sputtered.

[Saluki]

The Bulls want him back, but they won't pay him 11 mill to come back. If he'll take less money than what Detroit is reportedly offering he'll be back, but no way they pay him that much.

[FirstTimer]

in all fairness his career ppg is held back a bit by the fact that 08-09 was the first time he played "starter's" minutes for a full season. on a per-minute basis, he's not far behind players like arenas and vince carter

The problem is he can't play a ton of minutes over the course of the season because his inability to handle the ball, play defense, and his streakyness hurts the team at times.

Gordon shoots the Bulls out of just as many games as he keeps them in when he gets hot.

Hansborough doesn't crack the Top 25 in a lot of mock drafts. I can see Chicago picking him up as late as 26th. .

He's the type of player the Paxson era creams over. 3-4 year guy, big time program, winner, "gutsy", "scrappy" etc. Honestly though for all the shit Hansbrough gets for not being a big time draft prospect I actually think he'd be a pretty decent fit for the Bulls at #26. IMO they could do a lot worse off with that pick than Hansbrough.

What do some of you guys mean he's not worth some of that money. Without him the Bulls are not even close with the Celtics in that 1st round series.

If the Celtics have KG that series is over in 5.

But with him what are they?

That's my point. Status quo is not going to get it done for the Bulls. Unless Tyrus Thomas all of a sudden becomes twice the player he was before.

Well said.

The Bulls almost beat a Celtics team without KG because of Ben Gordon... That tells how far away from championship worthy they are, so they do need to make some changes, cause their current group won't get anything done.

Exactly. I like Salmons WAY more at the #2 guard than Ben. Opens more minutes for Hinrich at both the 1 and 2. Dneg back at the 3. Pick up some wings and a post in the draft and the team is solid and perhaps better depending on who they get.

[goDawgs1433]

I think the best way to look at this is even if the Bulls sign him and go into the luxury tax range, it's still basically the same team that was the #8 seed IN THE EAST this past year. Is it really worth it to go over the luxury tax to be a #5,6, or 7 seed in your own conference? Let's face it...Chicago isn't close to competing with Boston/Orlando/Cleveland and even Atlanta and Miami over the course of an 82 game season. It's not like by re-upping Gordon they're making an NBA title push.

Save that money or spend it elsewhere to keep a good team but not go over the luxury tax.

[FedEx227]

The problem though, is you need to find a taker for an 11 million dollar contract that won't expire in a market where everyone wants to hold onto expiring deals.

[mgoblue2290]

Yeah I doubt the Bulls can get rid of Hinrich. Also why would you want to deal Deng, I thought he was the Bulls best player? Well actually I'd say Rose is on his way to being the best but still.

[goDawgs1433]

Deng has struggled with injuries, but he's still got 5yrs/$55mil (i'm pretty sure) left on that deal. No team will take on that deal unless they're enamored with Deng (unlikely) or they're desperate for a SF. Otherwise, it won't be easy finding takers for Deng and Hinrich. Maybe a Cleveland would be interested but I'm sure they can find better deals than that.

[FirstTimer]

What they need to do is resign Ben and trade guys like Luol and Hinrich, that have long contracts. Ben is their biggest offensive threat.

Yeah I doubt the Bulls can get rid of Hinrich. Also why would you want to deal Deng, I thought he was the Bulls best player? Well actually I'd say Rose is on his way to being the best but still.

Deng has struggled with injuries, but he's still got 5yrs/$55mil (i'm pretty sure) left on that deal. No team will take on that deal unless they're enamored with Deng (unlikely) or they're desperate for a SF. Otherwise, it won't be easy finding takers for Deng and Hinrich. Maybe a Cleveland would be interested but I'm sure they can find better deals than that.

Good luck trading Deng. His contract still has a lot of years on it and increases in value each of the next 5 seasons.I doubt any team wants to take on that deal.

As for Hinrich, his contract actually decreases in value over the next few years so it's cap friendly. If the Bulls trade Kirk they are idiots. Guy is a great player for them being able to play the 1 or the 2 and can defend sometimes as many as 3 positions. He's a good influence on Rose and is a better player than Deng IMO.

[mgoblue2290]

ben gordon is a beats, if he goes to pistons, he might actually make them good again

No he'd score 18 a night and be a defensive liability. The Pistons don't need Ben Gordon, our backcourt is perfectly fine. We need a dominant force inside. If the Pistons got a big man like Boozer they'd be right back among the top 5 teams in the east.

The only problem right now with the Pistons is a lack of a true point guard. People can pretend like Stuckey can run the point but he can't, he's a 2 guard. He wants to shoot not pass. Bynum actually didn't look to bad at the end of last season but who knows if he can keep it up all year long.

Personally I think we ought to deal Rip and someone else for a big man or point guard, move Stuckey to 2 guard. If we sign Boozer, deal rip for a point, if we don't deal Rip and someone else for a big man.

[zack54attack]

The Bulls really need to re-sign him