Today the Bulls signed Luol Deng to a six year deal worth up to $80 million. Now is $80 million worth it for a guy who put up 17 points a game with 6 rebounds and 2 assists? I don’t think so.

Looking at those numbers, the best you can say about them is that they’re good, not great, not worth $80 million. I understand that the Bulls have made it clear that they want Deng to be the corner stone of the franchise, but shouldn’t your cornerstone put up better numbers and play more than 63 games?

Deng has only been in the league three years and although he has shown a good deal of talent, he had injury problems all of last year and has yet to prove that he can make a significant enough impact in which the team can depend on him in crunch time. He isn’t a player that’s going to take over the game, he’s a guy who will give you points somewhere in the high teens and put up a solid shooting percentage. But, if the Bulls want to improve with the amazing amount of talent they have in Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas, and more they should have traded Deng for someone more talented.

I just think the Bulls could have got two players with equal amount of talent for the price of Deng. There were talks of a trade of Deng to the Utah Jazz, but I guess the Bulls were to adamant about signing Deng to a long term deal. Since Michael Jordan retired and left the Bulls, the Bulls have had ten years of outstanding young talent that could never develop. They have the same dilemma this year and I think it’s their last shot before they run out of chances to become the dynasty they once were.

Technorati Tags: Ben Gordon, Bulls Dynasty, Bulls Dynasty Jordan, Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Luol Deng Bulls, Luol Deng Career Stats, Luol Deng Contract, Luol Deng Deal, Luol Deng Debate, Luol Deng Money, Luol Deng Signs, Luol Deng Signs Contract, Luol Deng Signs With Bulls, Luol Deng Stats, Luol Deng Stats 07-08 Season, Luol Deng Trade, Luol Deng Trade Debate, Luol Deng Trade Rumors, Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan Retires, Shooting Percentage, Tyrus Thomas, Utah Jazz, Utah Jazz Trade Rumors, Utah Jazz Trade Rumors Deng

The free agent season has begun. Following an exciting post-season and draft, the NBA has found another way to keep us hooked. In the next couple of weeks there are to be some big names moved around and could possibly shape next year’s championship team. The Celtics made all the right moves during last year’s free agency and ended up taking the title. So, don’t be surprised if a number of teams take a page from their book. Here are some of the big names who could make a move.

Elton Brand

Although his intentions are to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, don’t be surprised to see Elton Brand move. He has yet to be on a successful team and I’m sure he’s more than eager to cement himself as a marquee player. He is unable to do so on the lowly Clippers who will again have no chance next year in the overly competitive West. If the the right offer lands on Brand’s lap, possibly from his old team in the Bulls, or with the Knicks, Pistons, or Rockets who all need a player like Brand, don’t expect him to stay in Los Angeles.

Baron Davis

After the Warriors 06-07 run that included maybe one of the biggest post-season upsets of the Dallas Mavericks, Baron Davis could not find the same chemistry this past season. Davis has had trouble in the past season with Golden State and it seems like he may be headed out of Golden State after opting out of his contract. Davis averaged 21.8 points a game last season and would be extremely valuable to either a East or West Playoff team. The Detroit Pistons have showed interest in Davis in a possible sign and trade which may include stars Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups. This may turn into the biggest trade of the off-season. Also showing interest are the aforementioned Los Angeles Clippers. If Baron Davis signs with the Clippers this may persuade Elton Brand to stay.

Corey Maggette

Elton Brand isn’t the only Clipper on the move. Corey Maggette has also opted out of his contract and will test the open market. Maggette is more likely than Brand to leave the team and could play an integral part in next seasons playoffs. There were rumors swirling last season of a trade of Maggette to the Suns, so don’t be surprised if that deal won’t resurrect itself. Another team showing interest looks to be the Utah Jazz who are one piece away from a championship team.

Wizards Aren’t Letting Agent Zero Turn Into Free Agent Zero

The Washington Wizards are planning to invest over 150 million dollars in both Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison. This seems like to much for a team who keeps getting knocked out of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. I thought Washington would have to get rid of at least one of the two, but it looks as if the Wizards want to continue with Jamison and Arenas. Personally I would have let Arenas go because he did very little last year and we are still unsure about his knee. Jamison is turning himself into a fantastic player, averaging 20 and 10 last year and is bound to become better.

Here is a list of other notable names that could see themselves in different uniforms next season.

Sam Cassell- Boston Celtics- Unrestricted FA

Eddie House- Boston Celtics- Unrestricted FA

Emeka Okafor- Charlotte Bobcats- Restricted FA

Luol Deng- Chicago Bulls- Restricted FA

Ben Gordon- Chicago Bulls- Restricted FA

Delonte West- Cleveland Cavaliers- Restricted FA

Allen Iverson- Denver Nuggets- Early Termination Option

JR Smith- Denver Nuggets- Restricted FA

Steve Francis- Houston Rockets- Player Option

Jason Williams- Miami Heat- Unrestricted FA

Stephon Marbury- New York Knicks- Early Termination Option

Andre Iguodala- Philadelphia 76ers- Restricted FA

Michael Finley- San Antonio Spurs- Unrestricted FA

Technorati Tags: 76ers Trade Rumors, Allen Iverson Trade, Allen Iverson Trade Rumors, Andre Iguodala, Andre Iguodala Trade, Andre Iguodala Trade Rumors, Antawn Jamison re-signs Wizards, Antawn Jamison Re-signs Wizars, Arenas Free Agent, Baron Davis, Baron Davis Clippers, Baron Davis Free Agent, Baron Davis Signs, Baron Davis Signs with Clippers, Baron Davis Trade, Baron davis trade for Wallace Billups, Baron Davis Trade Rumors, Baron Davis Trade to Clippers, Baron Davis Trade to Pistons, Baron Davis Traded, Ben Gordon Trade, Ben Gordon trade Rumors, Boston Celtics, Boston Celtics off Season moves, Cavs Trade Rumors, Celtics Free Agents 08, Celtics Trade Rumors, Charlotte Bobcats, Chauncey Billups Trade, Chauncey Billups Trade Rumors, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Clippers Off season move, Clippers Sign Baron Davis, Clippers Trade Rumors, Corey Maggette, Corey Maggette Signs Utah Jazz, Corey Maggette Trade, Corey Maggette Trade Rumors, Corey Maggette Trade to Phoenix Suns, Corey Maggette Trade to Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Delonte West Trade, Denver Nuggets Trade Rumors, Eddie House, Eddie House trade, Elton Brand, Elton Brand Free Agent, Elton Brand Free Agent Signing, Elton Brand Offer, Elton Brand Pistons, Elton Brand signs, Elton Brand Trade, Elton Brand Trade Rumors, Elton Brand Traded, Elton Brand Traded Bulls, Emeka Okafor, Emeka Okafor Trade, Emeka Okafor Trade Rumors, Free Agent Season NBA, Free Agents, Gilbert Arenas Re-signs Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Jamison Free Agent, Jason Williams trade, JR Smith Trade, JR Smith Trade Rumors, Luol Deng Trade, Luol Deng Trade Rumors, Miami Heat, Michael Finley Trade, NBA, NBA Draft 08, NBA Free Agents, NBA off-season Trades, NBA Postseason 08, NBA Trade Rumors, New York Knicks, New York Knicks Off-Season Moves, New York Knicks problems, New York Knicks Trade rumors, Off-Season Trades, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns Trade, Phoenix Suns Trade Rumors, Pistons Off-season moves, Pistons Trade, Rasheed Wallace Trade, Rasheed Wallace Trade Rumors, Sam Cassell Trade, Stephon Marbury, Stephon Marbury Trade, Steve Francis Trade, Steve Francis Trade Rumors, Utah Jazz Trade, Utah Jazz Trade Rumors, Warriors Off-season moves, Warriors Upset Mavericks Postseason 07, Washington Wizards Trade Rumors

With a 1.7% chance of winning the first selection, the Bulls won the first pick in one of the most talented drafts in a while. The discussion has been, should they take Derrick Rose who is the better player, or Michael Beasley who is the better fit? Rose is destined to be a star while Beasley has all the tools to become as dominant as say Amare Stoudemire. But, which college standout will they choose? Let’s see.

1. CHICAGO BULLS- MICHAEL BEASLEY- Between the better player and the better fit, you have to go with the better fit if you’re the Bulls. The Bulls were lucky enough to get the first pick and they already have a playoff team if not for the mess of a season they had last year. They are short on big men and have been for a while. Beasley will complete this team making the Bulls a legit threat in the East.

2. MIAMI HEAT- DERRICK ROSE- Now there’s no way two teams are going to pass a player this talented up in a row. The Heat will gladly take Derrick Rose in the second pick which will, like the bulls, complete a playoff team. With Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marrion already on the team, one more all-star won’t hurt. If Wade can stay healthy, Rose will work well with him and possibly create a great one-two punch that teams will find hard to deal with. A great pick up for the Heat and I expect a rivalry to develop between the Heat and the Bulls with their picks. This debate of who should go first in the draft will live on throughout both Beasley and Rose’s careers.

3. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES- O.J. MAYO- With all the controversy surrounding O.J. Mayo he was destined to fall further down in the draft but it looks as if the Timberwolves have their man. Mayo is truly talented at 6’5 and has the figure to go inside and shoot the outside shot. The only worry about Mayo is his off-court problems that could hurt the way he plays on the court. Let’s just hope we get to see this kid play basketball without any distractions.

4. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS- JERRYD BAYLESS- To compliment the sensational play of Kevin Durant, expect the Sonics to choose Jerryd Bayless at point guard. Coming from Arizona he should turn out to be a solid NBA player and playing along side Durant won’t hurt a bit. Durant showed last year that he can put up over 20 points a game with no one around him, so expect his numbers to rise significantly along side Bayless.

5. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES- KEVIN LOVE- After trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers last season, the Grizzlies are down on athletic size. Kevin Love fills that void extremely well. He is capable of wearing down defenses and creating an atmosphere that Memphis will love (pun definitely intended). The sad thing though is that the rest of the Grizzlies are not good enough to make him any better. Give Love a couple of seasons before his talent begins to show, either that or another team.

6. NEW YORK KNICKS- BROOK LOPEZ- Oh, the New York Knicks. They have the highest payroll, one of the best coaches in Mike D’Antoni, and the sixth pick in the draft. How could they possibly mess up next season? I’m not sure how they’ll do it this season but a way to prevent it is drafting a big man in Brook Lopez who can actually do something with the basketball other than cry. He is a little undersized at center (7’0 245 lbs.) which could create a problem for the Knicks. But, they’ve needed a big man ever since Patrick Ewing left and maybe Lopez could develop into a player of half of Ewing’s talent and get this team back in the playoffs.

7. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS- RUSSELL WESTBROOK- The Clippers will hopefully have a 100% healthy Elton Brand next season which leaves them wondering, who else do we have? No body really, in order to compete in the West. Russel Westbrook can pass and score and has the tools that NBA teams want. There is a desire in the league now to have a point guard who can score and pass (Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash just to name a few), and Westbrook is what the Clippers need in order to keep up with the competetive West. Either that or they can try and move to the Eastern Conference, where they would probably be a 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs.

8. MILWAUKEE BUCKS- JOE ALEXANDER- You haven’t heard much from the Milwaukee Bucks in the past decade and I don’t think you’ll hear more in the the next. Joe Alexander fills a void in the small forward position but even in the East the Bucks don’t have enough talent to make it. Alexander is a solid player who may find himself lost in this league on the Bucks. Only players with extraordinary talent like Ray Allen can make a name for themselves on the Bucks, and even Allen had to leave in order to be truly appreciated by the rest of the league.

9. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS- ERIC GORDON- I see a lot of upside in these Bobcats. Since forming in 2004 the Bobcats have slowly evolved into a fairly good team. They have significant talent in Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison, and Jason Richardson. Not only that they are now being coached by one of the greatest coaches in recent years in Larry Brown. If the Bobcats can steal Eric Gordon at number nine, the Bobcats have even more to work with.

10. NEW JERSEY NETS- DANILO GALLINARI- After a disapointing season which included the departure of one of the franchise’s best players Jason Kidd, the Nets have some rebuilding to do. They have a banged up Richard Jefferson, who at times looks like one of the best players in the league, but cannot overcome the injury bug. Vince Carter should be one of the league’s elite, but fails to match the potential he showed in his Toronto Raptor years. Danilo Gallinari will be the first pick from overseas, coming from Italy, and will be expected to come off the bench for Jefferson, and soon replace Jefferson. He is one of the best players in Italy and could possibly translate to the NBA. In a couple of years this could be considered the steal of the draft. Personally though, I think the Nets will need to make a significant trade that will get rid of Jefferson and bring in one or two brand name players in order to fix this once dominant franchise.

Technorati Tags: 2008 NBA Draft, 2008 NBA Playoffs, 2008-09 NBA Season, 2009 NBA Season, Adam Morrison, Brook Lopez, Brook Lopez Stanford New York Knicks, Bucks Joe Alexander, Bulls Win Lottery Draft, Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Bobcats Eric Gordon, Charlotte Bobcats NBA Draft 08, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bulls First Pick, Chicago Bulls First Pick Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls First Pick Michael Beasley, Chicago First Pick NBA Draft, Chris Paul, College Basketball, College Basketball NBA Draft 08, Danil Gallinari NBA Draft 08 Nets, Danilo Gallinari, Danilo Gallinari NBA Draft 08, Derrick Rose, Derrick Rose first Pick, Derrick Rose Miami Heat Second Pick, Dwane Wade, Dwayne Wade, Dwayne Wade Miami Heat First Pick, Eastern Conference, Elton Brand, Elton Brand Russell Westbrook, Emeka Okafor, Eric Gordon NBA Draft 08, Jason Kidd, Jason Kidd Trade, Jason Richardson, Jerryd Bayless, Jerryd Bayless Arizona, Jerryd Bayless NBA Draft 08, Jerryd Bayless Supersonics, Joe Alexander, Joe Alexander NBA Draft 08, Kevin Durant, Kevin Durant Draft 07, Kevin Durant Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Love, Larry Brown, Larry Brown Bobcats Coach, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Clippers 7th Pick NBA Draft 08, Los Angeles Clippers NBA Draft 08, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Memphis Grizzlies 5th pick NBA Draft, Memphis Grizzlies Kevin Love, Memphis Grizzlies NBA Draft 08, Miami Heat, Miami Heat 2nd Pick Draft, Miami Heat Derrick Rose, Miami Heat NBA Draft 08, Miami Heat Pick Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Michael Beasley First Pick, Michael Beasley Second Pick Miami Heat, Mike D'Antoni, Mike D'Antoni NBA Draft 08, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Bucks NBA Draft 08, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Draft 08, Minnesota Timberwolves O.J. Mayo, Minnesota Timberwolves third Pick, NBA, NBA Mock Draft, NBA Mock Draft 08, NBA Mock Draft Chicago Bulls First Pick, NBA Playoffs, New Jersey Nets, New Jersey Nets NBA Draft 08, New York Knicks, New York Knicks Mike D'Antoni, New York Knicks NBA Draft 08, New York Knicks NBA Draft 08 Trade, O.J. Mayo, O.J. Mayo controversy, O.J. Mayo NBA Draft 08, O.J. Mayo USC, O.J. Mayo USC Controversy, OJ Mayo Off-court problems, Patrick Ewing, Pau Gasol, Pau Gasol Trade, Ray Allen, Richard Jefferson, Russell Westbrook, Russell Westbrook Clippers, Seattle Supersonics, Seattle Supersonics 4th Pick NBA Draft 08, Shawn Marrion, Steve Nash, Supersonics choose Jerryd Bayless, Toronto Raptors Vince Carter, Vince Carter, Westbrook Chris Paul Comparisons

Despite recent reports saying that Doug Collins will be named the Chicago Bulls head coach, Doug Collins is not quite there. Both sides have talked but nothing is in place yet.

They have not offered me the job and I haven’t accepted the job.

Doug Collins on Bulls Head Coaching Position

It seems as if this would be a good fit for the Bulls who recently fired interim head coach Jim Boylan, due to Collins past with the Bulls. He was Michael Jordan’s first head coach in the NBA, and set up a solid team for Phil Jackson to come in and create one of the greatest dynasties of all time.

The Bulls this past season were a huge dissapointment, as they failed to make the playoffs despite playing excellent the prior season. They failed to get over .500 the entire season in a weak Eastern conference and stars such as Ben Wallace, Kirk Hinrich, and Luol Deng had horrible seasons. A trade mid-season that saw Ben Wallace and Joe Smith leave the team did not help at all as they failed to put a string of victories together.

If Collins decides to take the job he should consider himself pretty lucky. The Bulls will draft first after winning the Draft Lottery with a 1.7% chance of getting the first pick. He would be in charge of a team chock-full of young, outstanding, athletic players. With the first pick the Bulls look as if they will choose Kansas State star Michael Beasley first, and Doug Collins will have an absolute phenom to work with in his first season.

Although it looks mildly certain that Collins will get the job, it is not yet solidified as Bulls GM Jon Paxon says he will continue to interview other candidates. The reports earlier today should not have been released as early as they should and those who reported it should hope and pray that Paxson doesn’t go in another direction.

Technorati Tags: 2008 NBA Draft, basketball, Bulls 1st pick, Bulls First Pick, Bulls Pick Michael Beasley, Bulls Win Lottery, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bulls Doug Collins, Doug Collins, Doug Collins Bulls, Doug Collins Bulls Head Coach, Doug Collins Coach, Doug Collins Head Coach Position Bulls, Doug Collins named Bulls Head Coach, Is Doug Collins Bulls Head Coach, Jim Boylan, Jim Paxson, Kirk Hinrich, Michael Beasley Bulls, Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan Doug Collins, NBA, NBA Rumors, Phil Jackson