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.
I guess the question is, what do you expect Thomas to be? I don't think anyone should expect him to be a 20 and 10 PF, and we don't really need a 20-10 PF right now. We DO need an interior, back to the basket big, but I think Thomas would be a perfect 6th man that can come in and play the 3,4 or 5 for a playoff Bulls team. If he doesn't break out, he's likely to not command a big contract after next season, in which case, we can sign him to be a solid role player. His type of energy, athleticsm and key moment playmaking is rare in this league and crucial to a playoff contender. Thomas is one of the few Bulls that can go get that impossible rebound, or block that impossible shot, or put back that key tip-in late in a game. Just because Zach Randolph gives you 20 and 8 at 44% doesn't mean he does any of that type of important stuff to help you win. Thomas's style of play is essential on a winning team, and he's still only 23 years old. Give him time, and even if he doesn't develop into a worthy starter, he'll still bring this team much needed abilities in any game.
As for Curry, of course he's not as good as Gordon. Gordon was a 3rd overall pick and Curry's hardly projected to the late lottery. However, as far as value relative to cost, Curry can give our franchise MUCH more per dollar than Gordon. Curry is the type of player, like Monta Ellis and Gilbert Arenas, that doesn't care who is guarding him. He just goes out and its him and the basket. So what if he never puts up 18-20 a game (which he might). If he can give the Bulls 14 a game off the bench, at better than 45%, and better than 40% from 3, then he's worth more at 3 million per season than Gordon is at 12 million per season, even if he's not a better player.
Remember, a successful NBA franchise in a salary capped league is not about having a complete lineup of all the best possible players at every possible positions. Its about managing your team salaries against having the perfect combination of stars and role players. Gordon is a guy that thinks he's a star and thinks he should paid like a star, but the reality is, he's very low on that star level, because he's completely one-dimensional. I'd rather let him go for a chance at a real star next to Rose, and I'm glad to replace his production with 2-3 cheaper role players that can fill in. Thomas on the other hand, knows he's not going to be a star, but has and is settling on the fact that he can change a game if he plays a certain successful way. Once he does that more consistently, he'll be hugely valuable to the Bulls, I'm certain of that.
