So now they're out of the playoffs, after losing that epic seven game series to the defending champs, how should the Bulls proceed with preparing for next season? I bring this up because they're in somewhat of a dilemma here. On the one had, they were on the verge of an upset of the defending champions. Several of their players really brought their A-games to that series (Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, Joakim Noah, John Salmons), and others did their job quite well (Brad Miller, Tyrus Thomas, Kirk Hinrich). That looks like a good solid seven man rotation to carry on into 2009-10, right? Sure, but then you have to look at the other hand. They were 41-41, good for seventh in the East, and that was after going 17-11 after the trade deadline. Before the deal that brought in Miller and Salmons they were 24-30, and on the brink of being a lottery team for a second straight year. And the Celtics team they did so well against was missing Kevin Garnett. So maybe this performance was more a mirage than reality.
Remember, just two years ago the Bulls did well against the defending champs in the playoffs, blowing the Miami Heat out of the water in four games. Much was made about their supposed future All-Stars Gordon and Luol Deng. Then....it went bust. Gordon and Deng didn't turn into All-Stars, and were revealed to be good but not great players, and the Bulls went into the tank. Deng did play well enough to score a six year, $71 million deal while Gordon repeatedly turned down offers that he should have taken (5 years for $50 milion, then 6 years for $54 million) because he (or his agent) were convinced that he was one big season away from franchise player money. Now after another big playoff performance, Gordon and his agent will likely be beating the drum for big money once again. And some members of the media will declare Gordon a must for the Bulls to re-sign while others will declare him not as good as his playoff performance suggests. I vote for the latter. For all the fireworks he brings, he also has plenty of games where he's a nonfactor. And he's still somewhat of a defensive liability. $10 million plus a year for him would be a bad idea, especially since they're already on the hook for Deng until 2014 and Hinrich until 2012.
But Gordon isn't the only issue. What will they do with their young big men, Noah and Thomas? Noah really well for himself in the playoffs, averaging a double double, and still has three more inexpensive years that the Bulls can get from him if they choose (I would, it makes sense). The question will be how big to pay him when he wants to cash in after the 2012 season. The more immediate question is with Thomas; he's obviously a rotation guy who can block some shots and play some defense. He won't be a real scorer, ever. So do you hang on to him for two more years with the hope that he'll finally get some consistent offensive game and become a good enough rebounder to warrant starting a the four sopt, or do you cut him loose now? I wouldn't wait the two years because he may become just good enough for you to overpay to keep, which is what happened with Deng and Hinrich and almost happened with Gordon (and may still happen). See if you can get a trade for him send him off, even if it's just for a draft pick.
What do you think out there?
Whatever they do they can't sign Gordon to the max
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