This article can also be found at Hoops4Life.com, a basketball fan's site. I decided to post it here because, well, you all seem to enjoy this stuff.
Ben Gordon has watched free agents come and go. But he is, at this point, the last major name left on the scrap heap of the NBA's free agent market.
There has been a lot of speculation that he may go somewhere else and that he will never play as a Bull again, which means that my Gordon jersey is probably no longer relevant.
"I guess it's safe to say I've played my last game in a Bulls uniform," Gordon has been quoted as saying.
The most likely thing to happen, according to ESPN, is that there will be a sign-and-trade. Gordon's agent, Raymond Brothers, has reportedly been speaking to teams about that option.
"I'm pretty optimistic it'll happen," said Gordon, who averaged 18.6 points last season. "It's very likely."
The problem with Gordon is that he wants Luol Deng's contract, but he isn't really a starter. There have been reports that he is also looking at playing over in Europe.
According to Fox Sports, he has also turned down a one-year qualifying offer of $6.4 million by the Bulls, and now it seems like he is going to have to find somewhere else to play.
- B/R Ticket Guide
He can't force a sign-and-trade, although, at this point, it seems like that would be the best option for both parties.
Now, the Salt Lake Tribune is going over the possibility of Gordon making his way over to the Utah Jazz. Although they admit that it is only a small possibility at this point.
If they can get him at a reasonable price, he could be a welcomed addition to the Jazz and if the Bulls can work a sign-and-trade, they can find a way to get some sort of value out of him.
A good choice would be PF Paul Millsap, who could become a good inside presence with Drew Gooden or Joakim Noah. Millsap has size, 6'8" 258 lbs, and has shown that he can come in and play well.
Last season in time as a backup, Millsap was able to score just under 10 points and just over five rebounds a game.
Also, he averaged just under one block a game in only 20 minutes, which could bode well for becoming a defensive force inside.
The deal works well for Millsap because he is a good player that gets is hidden because of Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur.
He's also only 23-years-old and can become a strong inside player. I can see him becoming a 20-10 guy inside, and his numbers thus far have proven that he is capable of that.
If Derrick Rose plays as well as he is expected, then he and Millsap could have the same relationship that Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler, which would be tremendous for the Bulls. At the SG position, they would likely use a shooting guard by committee approach with Larry Hughes, Kirk Hinrich and Thabo Sefolosha.
As for the Jazz, they would have a great scoring option for Derron Williams which would open up the floor for him and Boozer to have more time and they could have a strong trio with Williams, Gordon and Boozer.
Add that to Okur and Andrei Kirilenko and they would have a solid starting five serious questions at any starting position.
This would also be good for Ronnie Brewer who can get some more time to learn the game and slowly work his way into the lineup and they would have two choices at the SG position in case one player is a flop.
No matter what they do, they need to come up with a decision soon as the season starts in under two months and both sides need to get accustomed to their new situations.
I'm Joe W.
Joe also writes for Hoops4Life.com, a basketball fan's site.
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2 months ago
Gordon has to go, because he wants too much money, but i dont know what will happen with him.
2 months ago
I highly doubt Millsap will ever be a 20-10 guy. He'd be lucky to be a 12-10 guy and i'd expect 12-8 with starter's minutes. That being said, what the hell do the buls need Millsap for? Additionally, a sign-and-trade would make BG a BYC player, who wouldn't even come close to equaling Millsap.
Really , the management needs to be let go. Paxson (and his predecessor Reinsdorf) traded Brand for the #4 pick, turned that into Tyson Chandler, then let him go to sign a prehistoric Ben Wallace. Wallace is now gone, replaced with an inconsistent (and untradable) Larry Hugues. And that's not even mentioning the many mistakes they've made drafting ( Granger, Monta Ellis, Arenas).
Damn, the bulls suck.
from 2 months ago
He had 8.1 ppg last season with 20 mpg, so if you add another 15 minutes per game you say he will only make two more baskets? I highly doubt that.
from 2 months ago
"He had 8.1 ppg last season with 20 mpg, so if you add another 15 minutes per game you say he will only make two more baskets? I highly doubt that."
--I'd say his prediction is a lot more likely than yours of six more baskets in fifteen minutes. Realistically Millsap is a great inside froce, but not a 20-10 guy.
from 2 months ago
If Rose is as good as expected, then Millsap does have a realistic shot at being a 20-10 guy because every open shot is going to be taken advantage of. Remember that Rose would be able to get the ball to him in almost any situation so he will get plenty of open looks. Also, we can never forget that the guy isn't even 24 yet, so there is still plenty of time for him to progress into a good scorer.
2 months ago
I have heard word down here in south florida that the bulls have been in contact with the Heat about possible sign and trade options. Its almost certain that if this deal can happen, it would have to in clube high-payed star shawn marion. This can be intriguing for the bulls since this expensive contract of Marion's expires after this season. The deal is also rumored to include Tyrus Thomas. This deal can be very bennificial to the Miami Heat, making their bench really deep and getting some value for an expiring contract of a player who probably isn't gonna re-sign next season anyway. This is mainly speculation between me and my sports collegues, but if may turn out to be true. Keep an eye out for this deal to go down in the coming weeks.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the update Lucas! Getting Shawn Marion would be a huge help to the Bulls because he could play the power forward position next to Joakim Noah which would help the Bulls become a playoff team yet again.
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