One of the regrettable chapters in recent Bulls history was the failed free-agent pursuit of 2000.

The No. 1 target was Toronto's Tracy McGrady, who was met at O'Hare Airport by mascots, Luv-a-Bulls and a three-piece band playing "Sweet Home Chicago."

It was all for naught as McGrady chose Orlando. Nearly 10 years later, the Bulls may get another chance.

McGrady recently left the Houston Rockets and both sides reportedly will seek a trade. Sources suggested the Bulls are open to acquiring McGrady, who is just 30 years old.

The 6-foot-8 swingman is the NBA's highest-paid player at $23.2 million, but his contract ends after the season. A trade with the Bulls would almost have to include the expiring contracts of Brad Miller and Jerome James.

The Bulls might also be interested in moving John Salmons to guarantee a larger amount of cap space next summer. He's owed $6.5 million next season but has an option to terminate the deal and become a free agent.

Without Salmons on the payroll, the Bulls could have more than $20 million to spend on the 2010 free-agent class.

McGrady had microfracture knee surgery in February. He returned to play briefly in six games for the Rockets, then complained about wanting a larger role and left the team.

Last season he averaged 15.6 points in 35 games. Before that he averaged at least 21 points for eight straight years.

"Whoever gets me is going to get a hungry player," McGrady said recently in the Houston Chronicle. "I don't care if I go to the moon. It doesn't matter."

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2009 CSFMB Fantasy Basketball Champion-
2009 CSFMB Pro Football Pick'em Champion-
2011 NAS Replacement League Football-

Would Houston want Salmons knowing that he could return the next season? I don't know their salary structure off-hand, but it would seem to me that the Bulls have to find a way to move Salmons for an expiring deal.

ONLY if it gets us in a better position for 2010 FA class, otherwise NO thanks.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Heres the List

So, let's break into a few categories. First up, let's start with the stars whose contracts expire following the 2009-2010 season and will then become honest-to-goodness free agents:

Joe Johnson
Ray Allen
Manu Ginobili
Marcus Camby
Tracey McGrady
Shaquille O'Neal
Brad Miller
Stephen Jackson
Jermaine O'Neal
Mike Miller
Rip Hamilton

The next grouping is those players that are signed thru 2011, but can opt out in 2010 if they so choose:

Yao Ming (owed 17.7 million in 10/11)
Amare Stoudamire (owed 17.7 million in 10/11)
LeBron James (owed 17.2 million in 10/11)
Dwayne Wade (owed 17.0 million in 10/11)
Chris Bosh (owed 17.1 million in 10/11)
Dirk Nowitzki (owed $21.5 million in 10/11)
Josh Howard (owed $11.8 million in 10/11)
Mike Redd (owed $18.3 million in 10/11)
Tyson Chandler (owed $12.8 million in 10/11)

This next list consists of contracts that are set to expire in 2010, but the player may choose to opt-out following the 2008-2009 season:
Steve Nash (owed $13.1 million in 09-10)
Carlos Boozer (owed $12.7 million in 09-10)
Chris Paul (owed $6 million in 09-10 / almost certain to sign an extension before becoming unrestricted)
Memo Okur (owed $9.0 million in 09-10)
Hedo Turkoglu (owed $7.4 million in 09-10)


In addition to the superstars listed above, these 'second-tier' players are set to hit the open market as well:
Ben Wallace
Larry Hughes
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (option to opt-out after 09/10 season)
Anderson Varejao (option to opt-out after 09/10 season)
Al Harrington
Darko Milicic
Udonis Haslem
Jamal Crawford (option to opt-out after 09/10 season)
Eddy Curry (option to opt-out after 09/10 season)
Amir Johnson
Derek Fisher
Raja Bell
T.J. Ford (player option - owed $8.5 million in 10/11)
Travis Outlaw
Bruce Bowen
Earl Watson
Luke Ridnour
Matt Harpring
Quentin Richardson
Damien Wilkins

We also must include the list of players that will actually eventually have value due solely to the fact their contracts come off the books in the summer of 2010:
Jerome James (proof that Isiah Thomas knew what he was doing all along!)
Cuttino Mobley
Brendan Haywood
Tim Thomas
Brian Cardinal
Antonio Davis
Mark Blount
Bobby Simmons
Troy Hudson
Darius Miles
Kenny Thomas
Shareef Abdul-Rahim
Matt Bonner
Etan Thomas

Last, but not least, we have the 2006 Draft Class. These players will all be restricted free-agents in 2010, if they haven't already been inked to extensions:
Brandon Roy
Rudy Gay
LaMarcus Aldridge
Andrea Bargnani
Rajon Rondo
Tyrus Thomas
Kyle Lowry
Randy Foye
Marcus Williams
Josh Boone
Renaldo Balkman
Sergio Rodriguez
Ronnie Brewer


******

So there you have it, from top to bottom. The free-agent class that launched a thousand internet trade rumors.

Be sure to check back later in the week when we take an in-depth look at the players with options and try to predict whether or not they will choose to become free-agents in 2010…

_________________
2009 CSFMB Fantasy Basketball Champion-
2009 CSFMB Pro Football Pick'em Champion-
2011 NAS Replacement League Football-

if you can get them to take luol deng's contract you would have more sawbucks for the offseason...say T. mcgrady and scota for deng, miller, and t thomas




http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

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“Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.” ~ Dr. Suess


Nice Guys Finish Last

Thank you,and have a nice day !