Paxson confident draft will yield help (Sun-Times) Options

[Chi-town23-33]

May 6, 2006

BY BRIAN HANLEY Staff Reporter

The Bulls players packed their belongings Friday at the Berto Center. Some knew they wouldn't be back. Others will wait to see how a summer expected to be active for Bulls general manager John Paxson will affect them.

Paxson must decide how best to utilize the two first-round picks -- one of which will fall in the top five pending the May 23 lottery -- and the other locked in at No. 16.

''I'm not discouraged at all about the draft, I think there are good players in there,'' Paxson said. ''There's not a LeBron James in the draft, or a Dwyane Wade. I don't know how many will come in and make a huge difference, but I think there are a lot of rotation players. When I say rotation, if you're looking at each team having an eight-man rotation.

''There's some size that hopefully we can be in a position to consider. I believe for our position, you've got to find guys we can trust to play NBA minutes next [season].''

The Bulls also are expected to have between $15 million and $20 million in salary-cap room for free-agent spending, beginning July 1.

''It's no secret we need to get size in our frontcourt and we need to get a bigger guard if we can, a defensive-oriented guard,'' Paxson said. ''And we really need some leadership on the floor. I think our guys are still young in their development there; it's a lot to ask an entire group to assume that leadership role. So, that's the wish list, if you could get everything you wanted. I'm optimistic about this offseason. We should be, we're in a really good position; we've got good, young players and the ability to add to that.

''We made some very difficult decisions along the way to get this type of flexibility, but it doesn't guarantee anything, either. We have to make good decisions. The one thing I'm not going to do is ... give away too much of what we have. When you talk about the pieces that have value you could trade it's our young core and our picks. I'm not going to go throw four of those things at an aging guy who has been an All-Star. That would defeat the purpose. But I have to be optimistic about the position we're in. I still do like our young guys, I think they've all gotten better and they've proven they can play the way we want to play the game.''

Here's a look at what the future holds for those currently on the roster.

Malik Allen: Could come back due to his late-season contributions and his professional approach to the game. His $1.67 million contract expires.

Eddie Basden: The 6-5 rookie guard who went undrafted out of Charlotte last year was mostly a disappointment and likely won't be back. Basden appeared in only 19 games (2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game) and was demoted to Tulsa of the National Basketball Development League for almost two months.

Tyson Chandler: Paxson told Chandler, the team's 7-1 center and $64 million player, he must hit the weight room. ''He's got to make that commitment,'' Paxson said. ''Tyson entered the year at around 247 and ended the year about 10 pounds lighter. He needs to put [weight] on and keep it on. Those are things that have to change in terms of being able to sustain effort and physical play when you're a big guy in this league. He's 23 now, he's got five years under his belt. He doesn't have to worry about a contract, obviously. I think with better bulk and size, he'll do a better job of holding his ground, defending in the lane, things that are important.

''Tyson, I don't think, is ever going to make his mark as a big offensive player. I would like to see him look at the basket a little bit more when he's within the lane. I always felt a player like Tyson can make a difference on the defensive end and rebounding. I believe Tyson has the athleticism and the energy to potentially be a difference-maker.''

Luol Deng: Paxson said the 6-9, 220-pound second-year forward needs to get stronger, particularly in his hands and upper body.

''Lu can be a very versatile player with his length,'' Paxson said. ''As he gets stronger, he should be able to post up small forwards and two-guards.

''That's for debate, we haven't got into that. That will be talked about, though. Lu will have to get a little quicker. Two-guards in this league are quick and tough to defend. It's worth discussion.''

Chris Duhon: Signed through the 2007-08 season at approximately $3 million per year. Will spend the next week deciding on surgery to repair a herniated disc that bothered him throughout the season.

Ben Gordon: The man most likely to draw trade talk. Gordon is set to make $3.86 million next season. The team holds an option of $4.88 million for 2007-08. Gordon hopes to be back.

''But there's never any assurances in this league,'' he said after his talk with Paxson and coach Scott Skiles on Friday. ''It's not what I was looking for. We just talked about how the season went and things to work on over the offseason; my overall game, my ball-handling. But I know anything can happen at any moment. So, I'm just going to take what they said in stride and try to become a better player.''

Othella Harrington: The Bulls will not exercise the team's option on the veteran post man.

Kirk Hinrich: About as close a lock to return next season as any. The team likely will talk about a contract extension with Hinrich, who is set to make $3 million next season.

''We're not allowed to approach that until Aug. 1,'' Paxson said. ''Kirk is the type of guy we want in this organization for a long time. We will address that at the right time.''

Hinrich said he loves his situation and Chicago. ''It's a great sports town and treated me well,'' he said. ''I've done a good enough job of taking care of my money where I don't have to worry about it too much. I just have to worry about getting better and that stuff will take care of itself.''

Randy Livingston: Veteran guard signed out of the CBA was a good influence for Gordon but will not be back.

Andres Nocioni: The team's most-improved player this season, his second with the Bulls. Nocioni -- who was often asked to play bigger than his 6-7, 225-pound frame -- is under contract for one more season at $3 million.

''I love the way he plays,'' Paxson said. ''I'll do everything I can to have him here as long as possible. Guys like that make my job easier. We can add a bigger guy that makes us that much better because you know you have him there, too. With Noce, you can play a lot of different ways; we started him at small forward the last chunk of the year, if you want to play small and move him to the four, you can do that. I think one of the things that makes teams effective is if they can play different ways. Noce gives you opportunity to play different ways.''

Jannero Pargo: Good kid who works hard, can hit from three-point range, and is well-liked. Made $895,000 and might be re-signed at about the same salary.

Eric Piatkowski: The veteran shooting specialist will be 36 and a free agent when training camp opens next fall. He will not be back with the Bulls, but expects to hear from other teams. Piatkowski said another season will be based on whether any such offers come from an organization for which he wants to play.

Darius Songaila: The 6-8 forward holds an option for $2.4 million next season, which Paxson believes Songaila will opt out of and become a free agent. As long as the market does not get too crazy, Paxson will bring Songaila back at what likely will be more than $5 million a season.

Luke Schenscher: The 7-1, 265-pound center joined the Bulls from Fort Worth of the National Basketball Development League on March 5 on a 10-day contract and impressed enough to stick through the playoff series with Miami. He will likely at least get another look for next season during training camp.

Michael Sweetney: After a sluggish start, he ended up as the Bulls starting center and was much better through the final weeks of the season. He is signed through next season ($2.7 million) and likely will be back.

Coaches: Paxson said no changes are expected to Skiles' current staff other than the expected retirement of assistant Johnny Bach. The team would then have to decide whether to fill the vacancy.

Comments?

[Bullies4Ever]

The thing that bothers me is how Paxson said to Tyson to not really worry about practicing on offense... how they dont see him developing into any type of an offensive player... just a good defender and rebounder... I personally would like him to at least develop a jumpshot... He doesnt have to post up anybody... just be able to shoot a wide open shot!

[Chi-town23-33]

The thing that bothers me is how Paxson said to Tyson to not really worry about practicing on offense... how they dont see him developing into any type of an offensive player... just a good defender and rebounder... I personally would like him to at least develop a jumpshot... He doesnt have to post up anybody... just be able to shoot a wide open shot!

I agree. I have seen Tyson left open quite a few times this season from 10-12 feet as the other teams leave him there as he can do no damage. He gets a jumpshot and the other team will have to play him honest.

Coming out this guy was supposed to be the next Kevin Garnett. At this point, I just hope he can learn to shoot even remotely like him.

[bulls91]

May 6, 2006

BY BRIAN HANLEY Staff Reporter

The Bulls players packed their belongings Friday at the Berto Center. Some knew they wouldn't be back. Others will wait to see how a summer expected to be active for Bulls general manager John Paxson will affect them.

Paxson must decide how best to utilize the two first-round picks -- one of which will fall in the top five pending the May 23 lottery -- and the other locked in at No. 16.

''I'm not discouraged at all about the draft, I think there are good players in there,'' Paxson said. ''There's not a LeBron James in the draft, or a Dwyane Wade. I don't know how many will come in and make a huge difference, but I think there are a lot of rotation players. When I say rotation, if you're looking at each team having an eight-man rotation.

''There's some size that hopefully we can be in a position to consider. I believe for our position, you've got to find guys we can trust to play NBA minutes next [season].''

The Bulls also are expected to have between $15 million and $20 million in salary-cap room for free-agent spending, beginning July 1.

''It's no secret we need to get size in our frontcourt and we need to get a bigger guard if we can, a defensive-oriented guard,'' Paxson said. ''And we really need some leadership on the floor. I think our guys are still young in their development there; it's a lot to ask an entire group to assume that leadership role. So, that's the wish list, if you could get everything you wanted. I'm optimistic about this offseason. We should be, we're in a really good position; we've got good, young players and the ability to add to that.

''We made some very difficult decisions along the way to get this type of flexibility, but it doesn't guarantee anything, either. We have to make good decisions. The one thing I'm not going to do is ... give away too much of what we have. When you talk about the pieces that have value you could trade it's our young core and our picks. I'm not going to go throw four of those things at an aging guy who has been an All-Star. That would defeat the purpose. But I have to be optimistic about the position we're in. I still do like our young guys, I think they've all gotten better and they've proven they can play the way we want to play the game.''

Here's a look at what the future holds for those currently on the roster.

Malik Allen: Could come back due to his late-season contributions and his professional approach to the game. His $1.67 million contract expires.

Eddie Basden: The 6-5 rookie guard who went undrafted out of Charlotte last year was mostly a disappointment and likely won't be back. Basden appeared in only 19 games (2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game) and was demoted to Tulsa of the National Basketball Development League for almost two months.

Tyson Chandler: Paxson told Chandler, the team's 7-1 center and $64 million player, he must hit the weight room. ''He's got to make that commitment,'' Paxson said. ''Tyson entered the year at around 247 and ended the year about 10 pounds lighter. He needs to put [weight] on and keep it on. Those are things that have to change in terms of being able to sustain effort and physical play when you're a big guy in this league. He's 23 now, he's got five years under his belt. He doesn't have to worry about a contract, obviously. I think with better bulk and size, he'll do a better job of holding his ground, defending in the lane, things that are important.

''Tyson, I don't think, is ever going to make his mark as a big offensive player. I would like to see him look at the basket a little bit more when he's within the lane. I always felt a player like Tyson can make a difference on the defensive end and rebounding. I believe Tyson has the athleticism and the energy to potentially be a difference-maker.''

Luol Deng: Paxson said the 6-9, 220-pound second-year forward needs to get stronger, particularly in his hands and upper body.

''Lu can be a very versatile player with his length,'' Paxson said. ''As he gets stronger, he should be able to post up small forwards and two-guards.

''That's for debate, we haven't got into that. That will be talked about, though. Lu will have to get a little quicker. Two-guards in this league are quick and tough to defend. It's worth discussion.''

Chris Duhon: Signed through the 2007-08 season at approximately $3 million per year. Will spend the next week deciding on surgery to repair a herniated disc that bothered him throughout the season.

Ben Gordon: The man most likely to draw trade talk. Gordon is set to make $3.86 million next season. The team holds an option of $4.88 million for 2007-08. Gordon hopes to be back.

''But there's never any assurances in this league,'' he said after his talk with Paxson and coach Scott Skiles on Friday. ''It's not what I was looking for. We just talked about how the season went and things to work on over the offseason; my overall game, my ball-handling. But I know anything can happen at any moment. So, I'm just going to take what they said in stride and try to become a better player.''

Othella Harrington: The Bulls will not exercise the team's option on the veteran post man.

Kirk Hinrich: About as close a lock to return next season as any. The team likely will talk about a contract extension with Hinrich, who is set to make $3 million next season.

''We're not allowed to approach that until Aug. 1,'' Paxson said. ''Kirk is the type of guy we want in this organization for a long time. We will address that at the right time.''

Hinrich said he loves his situation and Chicago. ''It's a great sports town and treated me well,'' he said. ''I've done a good enough job of taking care of my money where I don't have to worry about it too much. I just have to worry about getting better and that stuff will take care of itself.''

Randy Livingston: Veteran guard signed out of the CBA was a good influence for Gordon but will not be back.

Andres Nocioni: The team's most-improved player this season, his second with the Bulls. Nocioni -- who was often asked to play bigger than his 6-7, 225-pound frame -- is under contract for one more season at $3 million.

''I love the way he plays,'' Paxson said. ''I'll do everything I can to have him here as long as possible. Guys like that make my job easier. We can add a bigger guy that makes us that much better because you know you have him there, too. With Noce, you can play a lot of different ways; we started him at small forward the last chunk of the year, if you want to play small and move him to the four, you can do that. I think one of the things that makes teams effective is if they can play different ways. Noce gives you opportunity to play different ways.''

Jannero Pargo: Good kid who works hard, can hit from three-point range, and is well-liked. Made $895,000 and might be re-signed at about the same salary.

Eric Piatkowski: The veteran shooting specialist will be 36 and a free agent when training camp opens next fall. He will not be back with the Bulls, but expects to hear from other teams. Piatkowski said another season will be based on whether any such offers come from an organization for which he wants to play.

Darius Songaila: The 6-8 forward holds an option for $2.4 million next season, which Paxson believes Songaila will opt out of and become a free agent. As long as the market does not get too crazy, Paxson will bring Songaila back at what likely will be more than $5 million a season.

Luke Schenscher: The 7-1, 265-pound center joined the Bulls from Fort Worth of the National Basketball Development League on March 5 on a 10-day contract and impressed enough to stick through the playoff series with Miami. He will likely at least get another look for next season during training camp.

Michael Sweetney: After a sluggish start, he ended up as the Bulls starting center and was much better through the final weeks of the season. He is signed through next season ($2.7 million) and likely will be back.

Coaches: Paxson said no changes are expected to Skiles' current staff other than the expected retirement of assistant Johnny Bach. The team would then have to decide whether to fill the vacancy.

Comments?

nice find i did not see that. i think that songila will be back because other teams will not know how he is doing and will be a liability so i think that he will stay and also why is piak not going to stay?

[Chi-town23-33]

Pike is old and he didn't do much this year besides ride the bench as the younger guys played. They probably will let him go to a team where he can be their three point specialist, sense it seems like we have a couple guys who can do that.

[JPargo]

This gives alot of info on the offseason. Great post. I thought Eddie BAsden was gonan be a pretty good player but i think the bulls gave him enough chances. He was supposed to be that defensive guard we were looking for. Maybe they'll give him 1 more chance during the summer.Glad to see that Jannero and Luke might be back though. i think Luke will be pretty good after this summer. And Jannero... well... he just owns . I hope songaila doesnt come back. He just makes our front court even more crowded. Im happy with Sweetny.

[hammerhead johns...]

The thing that bothers me is how Paxson said to Tyson to not really worry about practicing on offense... how they dont see him developing into any type of an offensive player... just a good defender and rebounder... I personally would like him to at least develop a jumpshot... He doesnt have to post up anybody... just be able to shoot a wide open shot!

He said that he's going to work on a hook shot. Don't ask me for a link...I heard it on AM radio.

One thing is for certain...he has to play out of the PF slot. Otherwise, he'll get taken out of games by prototypical 265-275 pound centers, and then the entire Bulls fanbase will continue to beach about his contract. Covering a 340 pound Shaquille O'Neal is like the worst-case scenario. I haven't even been coming around lately because I get sick of listening to all of the bullshit.

If he gets 30-35 minutes out of the PF slot, he'll score 10 points per game next year. Also, and y'all could put this in your signatures:

He will lead the NBA in offensive rebounding per game during the 2006-2007 season.

You'll rarely ever hear me making predictions on here, but I'm making an exception in Tyson's case.

[FromWayDowntown]

If Tyson ever develops a drop-step fade-away, or a nice runner-in-the-lane, or a spot=up 12-footer, that will help the Bulls in so many ways.

[Bullies4Life]

I would be satisfied if Chandler gained some muscle, and practiced on his Freethrows... if he can at least become a 70% FT shooter by next year, that would be awesome...
Of course if he developed a Jshot, then that would be even better..