Even though the Finals are still going, the NBA draft is less than 10 days away.

After the Salmons trade, the Bull and the Buck traded draft picks - the Bucks get #15 and the Bulls get #17. That's especially meaningful as both teams are probably looking to draft a SG in the first round. Ideally, the Bulls would love to get a pure shooter who can help space the floor in Thibo's drive and kick offense. It's also possible that they could be drafting for someone else in a pre-deteremined sign and trade deal - if the pick totally doesn't make sense, that could be why.

The Bulls often opt to go big in the first round, but it looks like 2008 draft pick/7-footer Omir Asik could be coming over this summer. He's thought of as a Euro Joakim Noah - good shoot blocker, good defender, runs the floor well, scores on put-backs and in transition but limited offensive skills and a HORRIBLE free throw shooter.


Here are what I see as the top 3 guys who could be available @ 17 and how they fit with the Bull:

Xavier Henry - SG | 6-6 |210| Kansas | Freshman

Probably the best fit for what the Bulls need, but also probably the best fit for the Bucks at 15. Outstanding shooter with very good range. Can also finish at the rim. Good defensive player who plays the passing lanes well. Not a great athlete and not real good handles (over 2 turnovers a game).
NBA Draft Net's comparison: Jimmy Jackson

James Anderson - SG | 6-6 | 208 | Oklahoma State | Junior

Deadly catch and shoot guy who has a pretty amazing FG (career 46% at OK State) when you consider he rarely takes the ball to the rack. Doesn't play defense very well, but has the physical attributes to get better. Below average ball handler. Poor passer.
NBA Draft Net's comparison: Nick Anderson

Avery Bradley - SG | 6-3 | 180 | Texas | Freshman

Short, explosive shooting guard who was the top HS player two years ago. Should play the role of a combo guard (ala Kirk) but doesn't really show the interest in distributing the ball.
NBA Draft Net's comparison: Monta Ellis (but I would say Ben Gordon)

Player who could slide to the Bulls:
Paul George | Fresno State

Player who the Bulls could reach for:
Dominique Jones | South Florida

B&B can't wait for this guy to get to town.....

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They should draft Lebron's son.

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Or his mom.

I believe the Bulls will trade this pick. I believe Draft Day will start to give many people an idea where some of the top free agents will be going. There will be a lot of trades. I setting the over and under at 5.

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Over and under on Deng or Kirk moving on draft night? If they can move Deng, I believe - and take less than $4M in salary back - I think they can open a second Max slot.

I believe they will look to move Kirk before they look to move Deng. They'll try to throw in guys like Taj and and James Johnson along with the draft pick. Someone will likely have to floor them in order for them to give up Noah.

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There is zero chance that Deng will be moved. But I do believe the Bulls will be trying their hardest to move Kirk on draft night. Hopefully the Lakers still have interest.

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I believe they will. They probably won't bring Fisher back and they don't trust Farmar. The only catch is salary. The Bulls would need a 3rd team to be involved because a deal with only the Lakers could only provide them with about $1.8M in cap space. If the Bulls wanted to dump Deng they could find a lot of teams out there willing to take him off their hands. They want some value for him if they are going to trade him. I know many of you aren't high on Deng but there are a lot of teams out there that would take on his salary.

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If the Raptors are close to moving Hedo, as they claim, then Deng is a solid S&T chip to the Raptors for Bosh.

I agree

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How about Kirk + Deng + Taj + first rounder

for

Bosh Sign and trade + Hedo + throw in pooh-pooh platter

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I like Xavier Henry by far the most, but I dont think he will be there. If we keep the pick and get him or Anderson, I'll be happy with that.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Salaries wouldn't work and you would lose the chance to sign LeBron because you would have very little cap space left.

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Why do we want Hedo? And this would be the first time he's actually played for a city that knows how to make pizza. I dont see that ending well.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

What is Hedo making? Kirk + Deng would easily cover Bosh's incoming salary, so you still have your existing cap space from before (but i guess Hedo would eat some of that cap space up).

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Huet, Deng, Soriano, Peavy, Cutler.

None of these players are going anywhere--no other team will take on their contracts given their performance.

He's making like 5 years/55 million I think. Extremely overpaid.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Nevermind. I thought he was more in the 6-8 mil range.

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Deng: $11.345
Kirk: $9MM
Taj: $1.1MM
Cap hold for #17 pick: $1.7MM
= $23.145

Hedo: $9.8MM
I think the max year 1 salary is like $15.8, so put Bosh down for that.
= $25.6MM

So you take on an extra $2.5MM in salary, which you have room to do. Because you have room for one max spot (with Deng/Kirk/Taj on the roster) plus about $4MM.

Deng $11,355,850
Hinrich $9,000,000
Gibson $1,117,680

Total $21,473,530

Bosh $18,000,000 (estimate)
Turk $9,800,000

Total $27,800,000

The Bulls would be able to take back a maximum of 125% of the salary they are giving away (if the have already signed LeBron or another free agent) and that comes to $26,841,912. If the haven't sign that other free agent they would loss $6M+ in cap space. This is not even taking into account the Raptors would have no use for Hinrich.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries.htm

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