In his latest column for the New York Daily News, Mitch Lawrence reveals some interesting tidbits about the Bulls’ future. Lawrence hears from a source with knowledge of the club’s plans that the team wants to move Luol Deng before the trade deadline and plans to amnesty Carlos Boozer this offseason.
We’ve heard that several teams have interest in Deng. His name has been brought up in rumors as part of a potential Andrew Bynum deal, but it’s been reported that the Bulls aren’t interested in such a move. It’s worth noting that many clubs might be unwilling to part with valuable assets for Deng, since he’s on an expiring contract and set to be a big name in free agency come next summer. Earlier reports indicated that the Bulls wanted to retain the veteran forward, but Lawrence’s source says Chicago isn’t willing to pay top dollar for him.
Lawrence also hears that the Bulls plan to amnesty Boozer next summer. Boozer, 32, is set to make $16.8MM in 2014/15, and his on-court production has taken a hit across the board. He’s still playing 30 minutes per game, but his averages in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage are below his career marks. Earlier this month, we passed along a piece that depicted Boozer and Kendrick Perkins as the last players that looked like realistic candidates to be amnestied.
These potential moves, should they come to fruition, would show that the Bulls intend to rebuild the club after losing Derrick Rose to yet another season ending injury. At 13-18, Chicago would still make the postseason as the seventh seed in the weak Eastern Conference if the season ended today. However, it would appear the team is interested in building a squad that could contend for a title down the road rather than just a putting together a club that will finish as a lower-tier playoff group year after year. Lawrence hears neither Rose nor Tom Thibodeau is thrilled with the prospect of rebuilding, but it might be the only way the Bulls can craft a team with realistic title hopes.
Its going to be a real sad day when Deng leaves the Bulls. But at this point its probably better to trade him since I just don’t see Deng and the Bulls working out a deal. Boozer though I’m whatever with. I hope though we get a favorable trade done for Deng though.
this is dumb…I’ve said it numerous times. I dont see why they wouldnt resign Deng for $12 million a year, amnesty Boozer, and build around Rose, Deng, Butler, Noah, Gibson, Mirotic. That core is good enough to contend, and by amnestying boozer, it opens up money to be given for added depth or to extend someone if needed. It would also keep the defensive principles they built in the organization
The Bulls aren’t good enough to contend with Deng now if Rose was healthy, how is an aging Deng (he’s already severely regressed, especially on defense) going to contend down the road?
Fact is, the Bulls need to rebuild a team that can win with our without Rose, as it’s pretty apparent he can no longer be counted on. When he’s there, great. But the Bulls need young superstar potential pieces that Rose will fit around, not regressing never-beens to fit around the wild card Rose.
The Bulls arent building a team that can win without Rose when he is getting paid max money. Regardless of what you may think, Derrick Rose is a very big part of that organization moving forward.
Amare is making max money. Are the Knicks building around his decimated knee? No. Because that would be stupid. Both of these guys can’t stay on the court and are noticeably less effective when they play. The Bulls probably won’t win anything now that Rose is pretty much done, but they can’t possibly be as stupid as your suggesting.
*you’re….The Knicks are building a team that isnt very good b/c of Amare’s injuries. He is taking up a ton of cap space that they could have been using on a 2nd option. JR Smith is also taking up too much space and all that team does is run Isolation through Melo and JR Smith. Thats not winning you anything for multiple reasons…Derrick Rose’s injuries are also different from Amare’s. There is a significant age difference there as well. There is also the fact that Carmelo Anthony is by far the best player on that team. All I’m saying is that there is no reason to call Derrick Rose “done.” I dont know that at all. The core I mentioned is very good and a contender, especially when you consider the cap room they have in that scenario to add more. If Mirotic is anything close to what he is being talked about, thats even better for them
The Bulls are building a team that isnt very good b/c of Rose’s injuries. He is taking up a ton of cap space that they could have been using on a 2nd option. Carlos Boozer is also taking up too much space and all that team does is run Isolation or a pick and roll through Rose and whatever other walking stiff plays the point. Thats not winning you anything for multiple reasons…Amare’s injuries are not very different different from Rose’s unless you consider that Amare didn’t tear his knee twice. There is a significant age difference there that is completely meaningless if you know anything about knees . There is also the fact that Jimmy Butler is now by far the best all around player on that team. All I’m saying is that there is no reason to call Derrick Rose “not done.” I dont know that at all. The core I mentioned is not very good, extremely old, and a would barely contend at this stage if Rose was capable of taking the court, especially when you consider the cap room they don’t have without getting rid of Deng, Boozer, and Noah to add more (which they should because all three have regressed to the point that they are not worth their salaries). If Mirotic is anything close to what he is being talked about, that’s really their only hope to stay out of lottery hell for the duration of Rose’s contract.