Remember a few years back when Michael Redd was the missing piece on the USA Basketball roster? Well, Mat does.
Now, Mat doesn't think Michael Redd is the missing piece to the Bulls, but he could be a nice replacement.
Redd can still score. He averaged more than a point every two minutes last season.
The guy can shoot the 3, he's an average defender that couldn't certainly be affected positively by Thibs, and a well seasoned veteran.
Pretty much everything the Bulls are looking for... if the price is right. Redd made the league minimum $800,000 (isn't that ridiculous, every basketball player makes that much), and is expected to accept a similar deal this offseason.
Following this Bulls offseason has been kind of a bore, and Michael Redd's name is not about to change that, but a healthy Bulls team in Mat's mind is good enough to win it all. Therefore, adding a piece like Redd could be just what the Bulls need come next April.
Don't believe Mat, just look at that Battier guy in Miami.
Showing posts with label Michael Redd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Redd. Show all posts
Friday, July 6, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
A (Realistic) Free Agency Preview - Part Two
On the eve of free agency, the Bulls' possibilities are almost as limitless as Bradley Cooper in that one movie. Unfortunately, their checkbook isn't quite that expansive. With the Bulls currently sitting more than $4 million above last year's luxury-tax threshold of around $70 million, it seems that they'll end up with only the smaller $3 million taxpayer mid-level exception and the veteran minimum to offer free agents.
Mat thinks the Bulls will be able to add one piece of note and perhaps take a gamble on a potential high-reward wing player willing to take a lower salary figure: a Brandon Roy, a Michael Redd, a Tracy McGrady. It's hard to pin down which of the many reclamation products the Bulls favor, but it's easier to predict the other player they'll add.
In his post-draft press conference, Gar Foreman mentioned the need to find a point guard in free agency. This did more than depress C.J. Watson; it confirmed the widespread belief that the Bulls would target a veteran to fill the void left by Derrick Rose while he's recovering from injury.
Considering the fact that Derrick Rose will eventually come back, the drafting of Marquis Teague, the potential void in the two-guard rotation left by the departure of Ronnie Brewer and the inevitable injuries of Rip Hamilton, Mat sees the Bulls going for a guy who can play the 1 and the 2.
Steve Nash is the pipe dream, but odds of him taking a steep discount to play with the Bulls are practically zero. Jason Kidd, who Mat likes, might also see himself priced out of the Bulls' range. He's reportedly only interested in signing as Deron Williams's back-up, which rules him out. High-profile veterans like Andre Miller and Chauncey Billups will probably be too expensive, too.
KC Johnson has reported that the Bulls have looked into Kirk Hinrich and Delonte West, which seems like the team's most realistic options. Hinrich has a history with the team, can shoot the three and seems a very Thibodeau-ian player, but he's been downright lousy the past few years. West is a talented headcase who also has a history with Thibodeau. Either fits the "veteran combo guard" mold, and they seem like the two most likely additions for the team. Other realistic possibilities, like Randy Foye or Jonny Flynn, don't exactly whet the appetite.
Ultimately, Mat thinks Hinrich will be the man. He's a higher-character guy, he's a known quantity for the Bulls, he's an outstanding defender, and he'll come cheaper. West could, very easily, command more than $3 million. Hinrich could potentially sign for as cheap as a two-year deal at the $1.3 million veteran minimum salary, freeing up money for the Bulls to target a Brandon Roy.
So, to recap: Mat sees the Bulls roster panning out like this:
[Rose]/Hinrich/Teague
Hamilton/Hinrich/[Reclamation Project] OR [Minimum Salary Player]
Deng/Korver/Butler
Boozer/Gibson
Noah/Asik
Mat thinks the Bulls will be able to add one piece of note and perhaps take a gamble on a potential high-reward wing player willing to take a lower salary figure: a Brandon Roy, a Michael Redd, a Tracy McGrady. It's hard to pin down which of the many reclamation products the Bulls favor, but it's easier to predict the other player they'll add.
In his post-draft press conference, Gar Foreman mentioned the need to find a point guard in free agency. This did more than depress C.J. Watson; it confirmed the widespread belief that the Bulls would target a veteran to fill the void left by Derrick Rose while he's recovering from injury.
Considering the fact that Derrick Rose will eventually come back, the drafting of Marquis Teague, the potential void in the two-guard rotation left by the departure of Ronnie Brewer and the inevitable injuries of Rip Hamilton, Mat sees the Bulls going for a guy who can play the 1 and the 2.
Steve Nash is the pipe dream, but odds of him taking a steep discount to play with the Bulls are practically zero. Jason Kidd, who Mat likes, might also see himself priced out of the Bulls' range. He's reportedly only interested in signing as Deron Williams's back-up, which rules him out. High-profile veterans like Andre Miller and Chauncey Billups will probably be too expensive, too.
KC Johnson has reported that the Bulls have looked into Kirk Hinrich and Delonte West, which seems like the team's most realistic options. Hinrich has a history with the team, can shoot the three and seems a very Thibodeau-ian player, but he's been downright lousy the past few years. West is a talented headcase who also has a history with Thibodeau. Either fits the "veteran combo guard" mold, and they seem like the two most likely additions for the team. Other realistic possibilities, like Randy Foye or Jonny Flynn, don't exactly whet the appetite.
Ultimately, Mat thinks Hinrich will be the man. He's a higher-character guy, he's a known quantity for the Bulls, he's an outstanding defender, and he'll come cheaper. West could, very easily, command more than $3 million. Hinrich could potentially sign for as cheap as a two-year deal at the $1.3 million veteran minimum salary, freeing up money for the Bulls to target a Brandon Roy.
So, to recap: Mat sees the Bulls roster panning out like this:
[Rose]/Hinrich/Teague
Hamilton/Hinrich/[Reclamation Project] OR [Minimum Salary Player]
Deng/Korver/Butler
Boozer/Gibson
Noah/Asik
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