Brian Hanley, the Sun-Times Bulls' beat writer and morning co-host with Mike Mulligan on "The SCORE", this morning had an interesting item regarding a restricted Bulls' free agent. There are rumblings that Luol Deng, who turned down a $50 million offer from the Bulls before the start of last season, might be tendered an offer sheet with the Los Angeles Clippers in the very near future. The Clippers are now looking for a power forward in the wake of Elton Brand's signing with the Philadelphia 76ers last week for 5 years, $82 million. It's not clear how much the Clippers are willing to offer Deng, but if I'm not mistaken, the Bulls would be prepared to match any offer given Luol's restricted free agency status. I also believe the Clippers are actually one of the few NBA teams with salary cap space now that Brand has left for Philadelphia, about $12 million to be exact...

that won't be good for either team...then the Bulls end up overpaying Deng...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

Yeah, that's all kindsa' bad news. I'd really like to see him go in a trade.

The Clippers have been rumored with every top restricted free agent of late, including Iguodala and Josh Smith, so I'm not sure Deng will even get a contract offer from the Clippers.

The Bulls are going to look really stupid though if the Clippers make an offer. I believe there's about a 90% chance they would match it, but I'm guessing they will end up paying much more than they are currently offering. On top of that, they wiill probably be forced to sign and trade Gordon to avoid the luxery tax, which we know they won't pay.

According to Memphis Grizzlies' President Michael Heisley, the luxury tax was a huge reason why Pau Gasol didn't come to Chicago and ended up going to the Los Angeles Lakers for next to nothing! I heard something this morning with the Jenny Jones-looking Kerry Sayers on Comcast SportsNet that Jerry Reinsdorf himself is rumored to be in on the negotiations with Deng and his agent. Besides, GM John Paxson would likely match any offer sheet for Deng, but Ben Gordon could be a different story altogether...

I saw something on ESPNEWS this eve that the Clippers & Nuggets have played "Let's Make a Deal". Based on what I have read, I wonder if the Clips are no longer interested in Luol. The deal involves the Nuggets trading forward Marcus Camby to the Clips for a conditional second round draft pick. Camby will likely try to pick up the 20/10 slack that Elton Brand left behind, in regards to points & rebounds respectively, and hopes to help out the newly acquired Baron Davis on the point for the STAPLES Center's other NBA tenant.

If Camby averages 20 and 10 will you give me $300? I don't know who this Camby character is but if you saw the state of my finances right now I'm sure you'd agree I qualify as charity.

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Fire Phil Emery

Camby is not a scorer. He's developed a dependable jumper from beyond the free throw line, but no mistake about it, he's not a scorer. Assuming he doesn't become the injury prone Camby that we have seen in the past (In Denver, he was still fragile), he should be a very good rebounder and shot blocker, and he'll form a potential very good defensive interior with Chris Kamon as well.

sorry, Nugs or Clips, Camby is WAY overdue to get injured this year...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

He's with the right team to revert back to his injured ways.

I never said that Marcus Camby was a 20 point/10 rebound guy, but the reason why the Nuggets traded him to the Clippers is simple...Salary cap relief for Denver. I'm not so sure Camby will be happy, let alone healthy for a full season at STAPLES Center with the Los Angeles Clippers.

I think the Nuggets traded him because he's hurt...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

I don't know that the Clippers really care if Camby is initally happy about the trade. He'll be paid, and he'll be there, barring injuries, once the season begins.

Nuggets had a high payroll, and little to show for it.

The Iverson/Anthony combo provides little more than a playoff appearance.

You read it here, folks. The John Lithgow-looking George Karl will be among the NBA coaches on the hot seat if the Denver Nuggets don't get off to a good start next season.

I'm surprised they brought him back after last season. I know they believe they can replace Camby's minutes with a healthy Nene and KDdidit Martin, but this teams still doesn't play any defense, and has no true point guard, and they don't seem in a position to add anybody interesting to thie mix.

heathly & Nene are mutually exclusive...man are the Nugs gonna suck next season...but they'll be fun to watch if you liked the ABA...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

The wha?...




j/k

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.