The Bulls have made some noise in free agency so far, reaching an agreement with Mike Dunleavy and agreeing to re-sign Nazr Mohammed to a minimum-salary deal. The club also reportedly plans to release Richard Hamilton before his contract becomes guaranteed next week. Here are a few more updates out of Chicago as the Bulls continue to tweak their roster:
- Within a piece about the relationship between head coach Tom Thibodeau and star point guard Derrick Rose, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune passes along an intriguing tidbit on LaMarcus Aldridge. According to Johnson, the Bulls "continue to rebuff attempts" by Aldridge's reps to bring the All-Star big man to Chicago. The Bulls have been unwilling to discuss a hypothetical deal that would see them give up Joakim Noah and Jimmy Butler for Aldridge, sources tell Johnson.
- As Hoops Rumors' agency database shows and as Johnson suggests, Aldridge and Rose are both represented by Wasserman Media Group.
- Johnson notes within the same article that GM Gar Forman's decision to part ways with lead assistant Ron Adams was related to Adams' "complaining about personnel matters."
- The Bulls have been in touch with Nate Robinson and have offered a minimum-salary deal, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter). However, Robinson is seeking a bigger multiyear contract after a successful season in Chicago.
Bulls would need to add a first
I wouldn’t give up Noah and Butler for LMA, let alone Noah, Butler, and a first.
Totally agreed. No way is Aldridge worth even Joakim Noah alone, at least for the Bulls’ value of Noah. He is the team’s defensive leader, costs about 5-6M less per year, and Aldridge plays the exact same game as Boozer (albeit much better). Unless the Blazers are ok with subbing in Boozer instead of Noah, no way this trade happens.
Well said. Not only do I think Noah basically = LMA in terms of league value, but in terms of internal value, he’s huge to the Bulls.
I just have concern about his injuries. He hasn’t started more than 64 games since being drafted, and only appeared in 80 games once. I’d take a healthy LMA over an injured plagued Noah. Don’t get me wrong, Noah is an amazing player who plays his heart out every time he’s on the floor and is a true leader, but his injuries might shorten his career.
Maybe there’s a reason most big men play a little slower, take it a little easier. I love the way Noah plays, but can his body handle it? It’ll be a shame if his career is shortened by injury, like Yao Ming. It’ll be an even bigger shame if the Bulls don’t cash in on Noah’s trade value before his body takes a serious nose dive. Then again, he could have a brilliant career and play another ten years. What do I know? I just know he’s always limping into the playoffs. ALWAYS.