Gordon Update

[ChitownBulls]

Gordon Wants To Stay: Bull's guard Ben Gordon wants to remain a Chicago Bull. He said it as he was cleaning out his locker earlier this week, and he re-committed to that on ESPN Radio Chicago.

"I just want the Bulls fans to know that I always like to be here," explained Gordon. "I said it from day one that I always wanted to be here. Hopefully, retire here after a nice 15 year career; win a couple championships, that still hasn't changed. I also want them to know that the business side may change some of that but I'm hoping otherwise."

Gordon has turned down two contract offers from the Bulls' over the past two summers, and seems destined to be signed and traded this summer, rather than retained long term by the Bulls. Sources close to the situation say that Gar Forman, who will be named the new General Manager at some point in the coming days, will handle negotiations with Gordon again this summer. The goal, according to sources, is to keep Ben Gordon, but not at any cost. If Gordon's salary demands are too high the Bulls will look to replace him in the draft or with a cheaper free agent.

Gordon for his part says he has no regrets about leaving some $50 million in guaranteed money on the table, saying has not listened to the critics.

"Everyone's entitled to their own opinion," said Gordon. "I don't regret not signing the contract - things work themselves out. A lot of people expected me come out this year and sulk and cry and not be professional… I think things will work themselves out."
According to Bulls sources the ball is clearly in Gordon's court, if he wants to remain a Bull at a reasonable price they are prepared to sign him, the question becomes what's reasonable for both sides?

[GMJames]

If you look strickly at percentages Ben Gordon is no better then an average shooter. But since he gets so many shots and looks from the Bulls offense he is the leading scorer. He holds the Bulls three point shots made record yes, But he also holds the three pointers attempted record also. All this shooting 41% from three. His main weapon is being able to create space to his own shot. But his streaky shooting makes him taking alot of shots hurt the team. (See Game 7) Paying him 7 or 8 million is ideal but no where near the truth. At one time I was for him getting a 3 year deal but lately I am just ready to play Salmons at shooting guard and draft a guy to learn under him. I would much rather see Hinrich win 6th Man at 8 to 9 Mil. Then Gordon at 10 to 12 mil. So after much review and inter-soul searching I wave bye to BG. And would like to see the Bulls move Tyrus draft night and get Harden. Then Draft James Johnson with the 16th pick. I feel that Tyrus could be traded straight up for Harden. Then at 26th Maybe BJ Mullens drops.  Sign Brandon Bass as a free agent. Not a bad team.

Rose/Hinrich
Salmons/Harden
Deng/Johnson
Bass/Johnson
Noah/Miller/Mullens

[youngrazzle7]

I feel that Tyrus could be traded straight up for Harden.

Seriously, Stop.

[BteamBomber]

I look for the Bulls to leverage re-signing Gordon against drafting Stephen Curry with their first pick.  He'll likely be at that spot, can play both the 1 and 2 in the NBA (though will have the same plus/minus factor Gordon does) and will probably always be a cheaper 6th man option than Gordon, while offering about the same scoring punch.  Honestly, I wouldn't mind landing Curry altogether and just going in that direction, or else I'm trading Hinrich in a package to Portland for Jerryd Bayless, and once again letting Gordon walk.  We can have a stronger defensive identity if we didn't have him on the floor 35 minutes a game.  We need a Gordon-like efficient scorer for more like 20-25 minutes a game, like his rookie and sophomore campaign.  

[GMJames]

I feel that Tyrus could be traded straight up for Harden.

Seriously, Stop.

First people say "You don't trade proven talent for a rookie" Then this. They might have to add a future pick or something. But salary wise and talent versus potential wise they match up.

[GMJames]

I look for the Bulls to leverage re-signing Gordon against drafting Stephen Curry with their first pick.  He'll likely be at that spot, can play both the 1 and 2 in the NBA (though will have the same plus/minus factor Gordon does) and will probably always be a cheaper 6th man option than Gordon, while offering about the same scoring punch.  Honestly, I wouldn't mind landing Curry altogether and just going in that direction, or else I'm trading Hinrich in a package to Portland for Jerryd Bayless, and once again letting Gordon walk.  We can have a stronger defensive identity if we didn't have him on the floor 35 minutes a game.  We need a Gordon-like efficient scorer for more like 20-25 minutes a game, like his rookie and sophomore campaign.  

why would the Bulls want Curry or Bayless? Both good players but why would they want that at the two? Length..Paxson..VDn...Reinsdorf...Forman.. always speak of length at the 2.

[vitalnerve]

i'd be all for getting bayless if we lose hinrich and gordon, but with either of these guys we don't really need him.  i also don't understand how you figure if we move up in the draft we are taking harden, there are too many talented big men (thabeet, hill) that would help us a lot more.

[GMJames]

Would they? They would come straight from college and help ? Not. They would take time to develop. Where Harden can be a back-up to Salmons, who by the way plays a similar style to Harden. I think Joakim is a keeper. Tyrus is the problem. And would much rather have Brandon Bass then Jordan Hill. Thabeet is a different animal. I like him, just not matched with Tyrus or Joakim. He needs to play with a flat out scoring Power Forward. Don't sleep on Harden. The boy mocked higher then any shooting guard and for good reason. He can play, And his style is hard to defend, Lefty, Unorthodox, crafty.

[vitalnerve]

are you really thinking that small-picture that all you're worried about is next season? those guys will take time to develop, sure, but hill is an upgrade to ty at the 4 and thabeet is an upgrade to noah at the 5 this season period.  in a couple years they would be serious upgrades and help us a lot more than harden.

[GMJames]

Harden will be far better then both of them. Even after they develop, if they ever do.

[cselby]

Harden will be far better then both of them. Even after they develop, if they ever do.

Haha Harden will not be that good in the NBA.

[No Pressure]

I am not even sold on Blake Griffin to be honest.

[ChitownBulls]

The only guy im sold on is Griffin in this draft....everybody else is about the same to me...some a little bit better then others but not by much...Thabeet wont be anything more then a Samuel Dalembert imo.

[BteamBomber]

We need to get off the replacing Thomas for one of the upcoming raw, athletic PF's.  Thomas is actually very close to breaking out, he just needs consistency.  Guess what, a contract year is a great chance to develop that, so look forward to a break out this year.  Do you really want to go back in time and grab a rookie version of Thomas to suffer over for a few years.  Hill nor Clark nor even Griffin will be as good next year as Thomas will, and we'll need him for a playoff run. 

As for the Thabeet is Dalembert comment, Dalembert for 4 mil (on a rookie scale) would be a huge positive for the Bulls.  Can you imagine replaying the Celtics series with a guy big enough to not get pushed around by Davis and Perkins.  Whenever those guys got close to teh basket it was easy pickings for them.  With Thabeet (or Dalembert) they woudl have been non factors, and we would have won all of the close games.  Personally, I'll take that. 

And to go back to the reason I would take Bayless or Curry over Gordon, its simple.  I dont' think Gordon should start on this team and I wouldn't want those two to start either.  However, bringing those guys off the bench for 25-30 minutes a game as a combo guard just to score and create is exactly what this team needs off the bench.  Are you really willing to pay Gordon 10 million per, ruin our cap chances for 2010, simply to play him off the bench for the same thing?  I'd rather take one of those younger guys in BG's place, at a rookie salary number, to be our 6th man.  Start Salmons and Deng (or trade to upgrade either position) and bring in a stud, point a minute combo guard that just runs wild like Gordon his rookie year. 

And I don't want Harden at all.  He's actually too small (for what he does, he doesn't have Gordon's quickness or strength) to start at the 2 and create.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him turn into Deshawn Stevenson in the pros. 

[ChitownBulls]

Personally i would hope that Tyrus is ready to have a break out year next year but i wouldnt bank on it...i think the smartest move for the Bulls is to just move him now...before his extension, that way you dont have to overpay the guy if he thinks he deserves a lot of money. Put him in a package to get a proven talent that you know will be worth your money.

Thabeet is a nice player i agree....but him not getting pushed around at the NBA is where i would disagree. He's soft and I think that Glen Davis and Perkins would of pushed him around too, just like what Blair and Hanagrody did to him in college. But he deffinetly would be a shot blocking force for us, that i agree on.

Also i dont think Stephen Curry wont be anywhere near the player BG is...BG is much stronger/faster/better attacker/not affraid of contact then Curry. I would have to see how Curry fairs against top level talent to really see what he has.