Today, Gar Foreman confirmed that the Bulls will not match Houston's offer sheet to Omer Asik, making Asik a Rocket. This announcement came in the wake of moves that left Kyle Korver a Hawk, C.J. Watson a Net, and Ronnie Brewer a Knick. Taj Gibson is the only reserve player of note who will be on the team in both 2012 and 2013
Mat is obviously disheartened by the moves, which suggest that the Bulls aren't willing to spend big to surround the current roster with the best supporting pieces . Some say (including Foreman himself) that the Bulls are simply trying to maintain their financial flexibility; in a universe in which the well-over-the-tax Lakers acquired Steve Nash and are the frontrunners for Dwight Howard, that's a hard pill to swallow.
Mat tried justifying these moves as a necessary evil after accepting that hard truth. After all, if Reinsdorf isn't going to pay for a contender, you have to build the best team within those constraints. Watson ended up signing for the minimum once the Bulls waived him. Brewer will also likely sign for the minimum, as that's all the Knicks can offer. Korver, who was traded, had value as an expiring contract, but also probably would have seen a paycut had he hit free agency.
Mat is still upset about the loss of these guys since they were 1) under contract for only one year and 2) expiring contracts, broken into manageable salaries across three players. They're the type of filler used to balance a trade for a Great Player in a deal centered around assets (Nikola Mirotic, Bobcats pick) and rookie-contract players (Taj Gibson). The Bulls didn't create long or short-term flexibility by letting those three go. They actually reduced their flexibility for a one-year financial windfall.
Still, Mat thinks not matching Asik was a move the team had to make considering the Bulls' financial crunch. Asik was a great defender, but unless Foreman and Paxson thought he would be a better overall player than Joakim Noah, they couldn't afford to keep him. You can't set a limit on your spending and then pay a backup $8 million a year. A team that won't spend more than ~$74 million simply cannot spend $20 million on a position at which they do not have a superstar.
Picking up solid, uninspiring guys like Kirk Hinrich, Vladimir Radmanovic, Nazr Mohammed and Marco Belinelli is the road the Bulls have to take. The bench will win fewer games for the team in the regular season, but the Bulls can't afford that luxury. And make no mistakes: it is a luxury. In the postseason, the bench won't be picking apart the Norris Coles and Juwan Howards of the world; when superstars are playing 40+ minutes a game, the strength that is the Bench Mob is all but neutralized.
It was an amazing unit to watch, and in a perfect world, they'd still be in Chicago. It's time to face facts, though: the Bulls have to find a way to best divide their regrettably limited resources. In building a championship contender, Mat believes they're best served concentrating those resources into a tighter, 7-8 man rotation.
Now, if you'll excuse him, Mat will spend the next 24 hours hitting "C.J. Watson", "Gimme the hot sauce", "Chicago's Finest Brew", "Asik and Destroy", and "C.J. Watson (excited)" in a steady loop while sobbing softly to himself.
Showing posts with label Omer Asik. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Omer Asik. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Darko
With the Asik offer soon to be officially signed, the Bulls have apparently begun trying to explore other options as a possible replacement should they choose not to match the offer.
The latest name is Darko Milicic. Darko is the former 2nd overall pick of the Detroit Pistons and the kind of bust that is largely the reason why the Pistons are just now getting back into contention.
Milicic is a 7 footer who has bounced around the league with stops in Detroit, Orlando, Memphis, New York, and Minnesota. Mat thinks he never found a home because he's never been good enough for the same team to offer him a contract twice.
Mat's not too keen to the idea of Milicic replacing Asik. They are similar players today, but Omer's upside is much much greater.
Yes, Mat understands that the third year of Omer's contract will pay him ludicrous money, but for the first two, Omer is reasonanbly priced, and can only get better.
If the Bulls do decide not to sign the Asik offer sheet, Milicic is not the worst option in the world. But if you were to put the two next to each other and let Mat pick, Omer's the man.
The latest name is Darko Milicic. Darko is the former 2nd overall pick of the Detroit Pistons and the kind of bust that is largely the reason why the Pistons are just now getting back into contention.
Milicic is a 7 footer who has bounced around the league with stops in Detroit, Orlando, Memphis, New York, and Minnesota. Mat thinks he never found a home because he's never been good enough for the same team to offer him a contract twice.
Mat's not too keen to the idea of Milicic replacing Asik. They are similar players today, but Omer's upside is much much greater.
Yes, Mat understands that the third year of Omer's contract will pay him ludicrous money, but for the first two, Omer is reasonanbly priced, and can only get better.
If the Bulls do decide not to sign the Asik offer sheet, Milicic is not the worst option in the world. But if you were to put the two next to each other and let Mat pick, Omer's the man.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Plan 2014
Let's for a minute say the Bulls make the deal for Ridnour, sign the Asik offer sheet, and amnesty Boozer in 2 years.
That leaves the team with a very interesting cap situation come 2014.
They would essentially have enough to add another max level player to the mix to compete with Rose, Noah, and Taj. (Mat leaves Deng's name off this list because he sees the other three as the Bulls true future.)
So, who's out there in 2014? How about Zach Randolph? Like the idea of a dominant post man playing along side Noah in the front court with Rose running the show?
What about Kevin Love? He has an opt out clause in 2014. Rose and Love in a pick and roll. Mat's dreams don't even excite him as much as that.
Mat's terrified of the idea of testing the free agent waters again and possibly getting burned, but the thought of giving this team a chance for a year or two more, and then set up nicely for a big off season intrigues Mat quite a bit.
If you could guarantee Mat Z-Bo or Love along with Rose, Noah, and Gibson, he might be willing to do all that's necessary over the next two years, including possibly missing the postseason here or there, to make it happen.
But the fact is, free agency is never a sure thing, so Mat would rather see Gar and Pax keep Plan 2014 on the back burner and more of a fallback plan than the true direction the franchise is heading.
That leaves the team with a very interesting cap situation come 2014.
They would essentially have enough to add another max level player to the mix to compete with Rose, Noah, and Taj. (Mat leaves Deng's name off this list because he sees the other three as the Bulls true future.)
So, who's out there in 2014? How about Zach Randolph? Like the idea of a dominant post man playing along side Noah in the front court with Rose running the show?
What about Kevin Love? He has an opt out clause in 2014. Rose and Love in a pick and roll. Mat's dreams don't even excite him as much as that.
Mat's terrified of the idea of testing the free agent waters again and possibly getting burned, but the thought of giving this team a chance for a year or two more, and then set up nicely for a big off season intrigues Mat quite a bit.
If you could guarantee Mat Z-Bo or Love along with Rose, Noah, and Gibson, he might be willing to do all that's necessary over the next two years, including possibly missing the postseason here or there, to make it happen.
But the fact is, free agency is never a sure thing, so Mat would rather see Gar and Pax keep Plan 2014 on the back burner and more of a fallback plan than the true direction the franchise is heading.
Monday, July 2, 2012
The Problem Is, Who?
Omer's offer sheet with the Rockets is one that the Bulls will likely have to pass on (or else Mat may explode). This being said, the Bulls will be left with a void to backup Joakim Noah.
So who's out there? Well, in the eyes of Mat, not much.
There's Spencer Hawes, Nazr Mohammed, Aaron Gray, Robin Lopez, Jermaine O’Neal, Jason Collins, Tony Battie, Eddy Curry, Semih Erden, among a few others.
Any of those wet your whistle? They don't Mat's. Hawes is probably the best bet, but he's also the most expensive of the bunch.
Back up center is somewhat of an important position. The key is to defend and rebound, something Asik does incredibly well.
Most of the aforementioned can do both, but none at a high level.
Mat's a little concerned about what is going to happen on July 14th when Omer is officially a Rocket. Right now Mat's brain is short on ideas, he just hopes Gar and Pax have a plan he's not thought of yet.
So who's out there? Well, in the eyes of Mat, not much.
There's Spencer Hawes, Nazr Mohammed, Aaron Gray, Robin Lopez, Jermaine O’Neal, Jason Collins, Tony Battie, Eddy Curry, Semih Erden, among a few others.
Any of those wet your whistle? They don't Mat's. Hawes is probably the best bet, but he's also the most expensive of the bunch.
Back up center is somewhat of an important position. The key is to defend and rebound, something Asik does incredibly well.
Most of the aforementioned can do both, but none at a high level.
Mat's a little concerned about what is going to happen on July 14th when Omer is officially a Rocket. Right now Mat's brain is short on ideas, he just hopes Gar and Pax have a plan he's not thought of yet.
Omer the Trade Chip?
Believe you this, Mat's mind has not changed on this subject, but let's say the Bulls do sign the offer sheet on Omer Asik's new contract.
Omer would instantly become one of the hottest trade commodities come 2 years from now when he is in his final year on a $14 million expiring contract.
Expiring contracts are often more valuable than players come the yearly trade deadline. What an opportunity it would be for a team to take on a huge contact only to watch it come up the books months later. That's how teams position themselves to lure 2 or 3 stars to the same city.
Omer becomes even more of a trading chip because he's not going to be old and awful at basketball come the time his contract expires. Not only would a team get the huge expiring contact, but also a guy who can play.
Is this a reason to sign the offer sheet? Not in Mat's mind. But if they do, to borrow the famous words from Bill Murray, so we got that going for us... which is nice.
Omer would instantly become one of the hottest trade commodities come 2 years from now when he is in his final year on a $14 million expiring contract.
Expiring contracts are often more valuable than players come the yearly trade deadline. What an opportunity it would be for a team to take on a huge contact only to watch it come up the books months later. That's how teams position themselves to lure 2 or 3 stars to the same city.
Omer becomes even more of a trading chip because he's not going to be old and awful at basketball come the time his contract expires. Not only would a team get the huge expiring contact, but also a guy who can play.
Is this a reason to sign the offer sheet? Not in Mat's mind. But if they do, to borrow the famous words from Bill Murray, so we got that going for us... which is nice.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Cya, Omer. Hopefully.
In Mat's head, he is already saying goodbye to Omer Asik. Mat couldn't wrap his little head around the news when he hard about the absurd offer the Rockets made to the Bulls back up center. This leaves the Bulls up until July 14th to match the offer the Rockets made or to let Asik walk.
Asik is an integral part of the defensive makeup of this team, and Mat has no problem the Bulls paying him anywhere in the 5-8 million dollar range to play that role for the Bulls. However, anything above those figures is ludicrous in Mats opinion.
For arguments sake, let's say the Rockets offered a third year at 14 million, rather than the 15 million previously mentioned. This is still a backup center we are talking about. Probably one of the best, but still a backup center that is a defensive master. However, you would be paying 14 million to a player who has no offensive skill set whatsoever. 14 million to someone who is as frustrating to watch with the ball in his hands down low as it is to watch Mat get chased unfairly by the janitors at the Madhouse on Madison.
Mat chose to look at it from a standpoint of what everyone else on the team is getting paid. In 2014/2015, the season Omer would be making around 14 million, Derrick Rose would be pulling in almost 18 million dollars. Is there a 3 million dollar difference in talent there or is the gap larger? Mat would venture to say the gap is larger. Same goes for Boozer, making almost 17 million. How about Joakim Noah? Obviously he would have to be making more than his backup, right? No. $12,200,000. That's right. The Bulls would end up paying a backup more than the person who is in front of him on the depth chart.
Mat understands the argument can be made that the roster will most likely look nothing like that during that season. However, the fact remains that as it stands, the Omer Asik deal would make no financial sense for the Bulls as a whole. Talent wise on the defensive end, Omer has it. But his offensive ineptitude is something that cannot be ignored and Mat believes it would be a costly mistake.
14 million is a lot of money to essentially guarantee someone. Especially knowing their skill set is limited, no matter how well they fit the mold of what you have in place currently. The Bulls cannot be sucked into giving players bad contracts for the sake of familiarity. Mat thoroughly believes the Bulls should let Asik walk at that price, no matter how much it would hurt to see him go.
Losing Omer Would Hurt
Reports indicate that the Rockets and possibly Blazers or Timberwolves are going to offer Omer heavily backloaded deals in order to woo him away from the Bulls.
As Mat noted before, being a second round pick, no team can offer him more than $5 million for the first two years of a new contract.
This means that the teams pursing him, in a ploy to bring something special to the table, would likely offer Omer deals that would pay him up to $8 million in the final two years of a four year deal.
Mat knows $8 million is a lot for a backup center. But he also knows what Omer is becoming, and might eventually turn into.
What Omer is right now is a dominant defense center. He's proven that he can shut down basically anyone (including #6 and that Wade guy) who brings the ball hard to the rack.
But where he struggles is on the other end. His hands are suspect, which makes for his ability to catch (this is where the hands come in) and score to be limited.
Mat wants to remind the masses, Gar, and Pax, that Omer has only been through one NBA training camp, which was before he had ever played a game in the league. His ability to learn during the offseason is far greater than it is during a shortened 66 game season which allowed room for very few practices. Without a lockout this year, Omer will be able to go through a true offseason, and his offensive game should get better.
Where Mat sees the big loss in Omer departing is that finding a replacement will not be easy. There are some older players out there, but none with the same skill set as Omer. The Bulls have somewhat of a young core. Rose 23, Deng 27, Noah 27, Gibson 27, and Teague 19. And Omer is only 25.
Keeping this young core will not only allow the Bulls to grow as a team, which they have already been doing, but it also will allow them to keep a nucleus, and fit auxiliary pieces in around them. Mat loves the idea of two good big men on the same roster for years to come. That's why he thinks losing Omer would hurt both now, but also in the future.
Big guys don't grow on trees and young ones are incredibly difficult to get your hands on. The Bulls have two of them, they shouldn't let some desperate team take one away.
As Mat noted before, being a second round pick, no team can offer him more than $5 million for the first two years of a new contract.
This means that the teams pursing him, in a ploy to bring something special to the table, would likely offer Omer deals that would pay him up to $8 million in the final two years of a four year deal.
Mat knows $8 million is a lot for a backup center. But he also knows what Omer is becoming, and might eventually turn into.
What Omer is right now is a dominant defense center. He's proven that he can shut down basically anyone (including #6 and that Wade guy) who brings the ball hard to the rack.
But where he struggles is on the other end. His hands are suspect, which makes for his ability to catch (this is where the hands come in) and score to be limited.
Mat wants to remind the masses, Gar, and Pax, that Omer has only been through one NBA training camp, which was before he had ever played a game in the league. His ability to learn during the offseason is far greater than it is during a shortened 66 game season which allowed room for very few practices. Without a lockout this year, Omer will be able to go through a true offseason, and his offensive game should get better.
Where Mat sees the big loss in Omer departing is that finding a replacement will not be easy. There are some older players out there, but none with the same skill set as Omer. The Bulls have somewhat of a young core. Rose 23, Deng 27, Noah 27, Gibson 27, and Teague 19. And Omer is only 25.
Keeping this young core will not only allow the Bulls to grow as a team, which they have already been doing, but it also will allow them to keep a nucleus, and fit auxiliary pieces in around them. Mat loves the idea of two good big men on the same roster for years to come. That's why he thinks losing Omer would hurt both now, but also in the future.
Big guys don't grow on trees and young ones are incredibly difficult to get your hands on. The Bulls have two of them, they shouldn't let some desperate team take one away.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
A (Realistic) Free Agency Preview - Part One
While the Bulls aren't expected to make any radical moves this offseason, Free Agency Eve still represents calm before the storm. The Bulls have a number of holes in their roster, and a seemingly infinite number of solutions exist to help fill those holes.
Mat took a look first at the players who were on the team last year who either are or could be free agents this summer. This does not necessarily reflect his opinion of these players; he is merely predicting what the Bulls' front office will do. (All contract information sourced from ShamSports.com.)
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Bye-bye, C.J. Watson. The drafting of Marquis Teague almost certainly guaranteed your demise. John Lucas III will probably be gone too, off making too much money for someone else.
The Bulls' shooting guard situation remains a big question mark, and yet, Mat fully expects Ronnie Brewer to be released from the non-guaranteed final year of his contract. Brewer struggled offensively, an area in which the Bulls are lacking, and they could probably call on Jimmy Butler to help replace Brewer's outstanding defense.
Kyle Korver is the most likely to be brought back of the three bench mob players with non-guaranteed contracts (Watson & Brewer being the other two), but he's also the highest-paid. The Bulls can afford to wait and see how free agency goes before making a move on Korver; Watson and Brewer's contracts are fully guaranteed if they're not cut by July 10, but Korver's contract doesn't have a guaranteed-by date.
Ultimately, Mat thinks the Bulls will be forced to keep Korver. His skillset is too unique on the Bulls' roster and there are too many question marks at the positions he's capable of playing. Mat wouldn't be surprised, though, if Korver is gone should the Bulls find a cheaper replacement in Free Agency.
Omer Asik is the most sought-after Bulls free agent (no offense, JL3). He's a restricted free agent, though, so the Bulls have the ability to match any offers made by other teams to keep him. The team has indicated that they'll match him at all costs, and, as a former second-round draft pick, he falls under the Gilbert Arenas rule. This means he can't be offered more than the mid-level exception for the first two years of his contract, which makes him a great value for the Bulls.
There exists the very realistic possibility that a team like Houston, desperate for a center, offers Asik a back-loaded contract that prices him out of the Bulls' range. The Gilbert Arenas rule limits the amount of money Asik can make in his first two years, but a team under the salary cap can offer him a bigger payday after that. Mat can see a scenario in which Asik is offered a contract worth $28 million over 4 years that pays out $5 million in the first two years and $9 million in the last two; the Bulls might (understandably) balk at a backup center making $9 million.
Still, the Bulls seem to understand Asik's value, both as a player and as a trade chip considering his limited salary. Mat sees no reason not to take management at their word when they say Asik will be brought back.
Mat's final verdict: Korver and Asik retained; Watson, Brewer and Lucas let go.
Mat took a look first at the players who were on the team last year who either are or could be free agents this summer. This does not necessarily reflect his opinion of these players; he is merely predicting what the Bulls' front office will do. (All contract information sourced from ShamSports.com.)
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Bye-bye, C.J. Watson. The drafting of Marquis Teague almost certainly guaranteed your demise. John Lucas III will probably be gone too, off making too much money for someone else.
The Bulls' shooting guard situation remains a big question mark, and yet, Mat fully expects Ronnie Brewer to be released from the non-guaranteed final year of his contract. Brewer struggled offensively, an area in which the Bulls are lacking, and they could probably call on Jimmy Butler to help replace Brewer's outstanding defense.
Kyle Korver is the most likely to be brought back of the three bench mob players with non-guaranteed contracts (Watson & Brewer being the other two), but he's also the highest-paid. The Bulls can afford to wait and see how free agency goes before making a move on Korver; Watson and Brewer's contracts are fully guaranteed if they're not cut by July 10, but Korver's contract doesn't have a guaranteed-by date.
Ultimately, Mat thinks the Bulls will be forced to keep Korver. His skillset is too unique on the Bulls' roster and there are too many question marks at the positions he's capable of playing. Mat wouldn't be surprised, though, if Korver is gone should the Bulls find a cheaper replacement in Free Agency.
Omer Asik is the most sought-after Bulls free agent (no offense, JL3). He's a restricted free agent, though, so the Bulls have the ability to match any offers made by other teams to keep him. The team has indicated that they'll match him at all costs, and, as a former second-round draft pick, he falls under the Gilbert Arenas rule. This means he can't be offered more than the mid-level exception for the first two years of his contract, which makes him a great value for the Bulls.
There exists the very realistic possibility that a team like Houston, desperate for a center, offers Asik a back-loaded contract that prices him out of the Bulls' range. The Gilbert Arenas rule limits the amount of money Asik can make in his first two years, but a team under the salary cap can offer him a bigger payday after that. Mat can see a scenario in which Asik is offered a contract worth $28 million over 4 years that pays out $5 million in the first two years and $9 million in the last two; the Bulls might (understandably) balk at a backup center making $9 million.
Still, the Bulls seem to understand Asik's value, both as a player and as a trade chip considering his limited salary. Mat sees no reason not to take management at their word when they say Asik will be brought back.
Mat's final verdict: Korver and Asik retained; Watson, Brewer and Lucas let go.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
So Long C.J.
Bulls backup/de facto starting point guard C.J. Watson's contract requires the Bulls to pick up a team option worth $3.2 million in order for him to remain in Chicago.
Watson has been heard saying that he would like to remain a Bull, but isn't sure the team has the cap room to make such a thing possible.
Mat likes C.J. Watson and doesn't want Bulls fans' final memory of him being his ill advised pass to Omer in Game 6.
That being said, Mat believes the Bulls would be better served to explore other options. Watson is a solid backup, but the $3.2 million he's owed could probably be spent in a wiser way.
Mat would love for Steve Nash to take a "slight" pay cut and fill in for D-Rose, but he knows this is about as likely as one of the Luvabulls saying yes to his date invitations.
Mat would love to see the Bulls pursue Goran Dragic. He will certainly have a number of suitors, but the Bulls offer an attractive package. Aside from the financial, Dragic would be guaranteed the starting role until D-Rose returns, and then would be an integral piece in what would certainly be a contending team. Seeing as Dragic has not been in the post season in the past few years, and only once in his career, it makes quite a bit of sense for him to consider the Bulls.
There are certain other options out there. Jeremy Lin? Kirk Hinrich? Chauncey Billups and his bum achilles?
Mat wouldn't be sad if C.J. returns to the Bulls, but he believes the Bulls front office brain trust can find a more suitable option at PG until the MVP returns.
Watson has been heard saying that he would like to remain a Bull, but isn't sure the team has the cap room to make such a thing possible.
Mat likes C.J. Watson and doesn't want Bulls fans' final memory of him being his ill advised pass to Omer in Game 6.
That being said, Mat believes the Bulls would be better served to explore other options. Watson is a solid backup, but the $3.2 million he's owed could probably be spent in a wiser way.
Mat would love for Steve Nash to take a "slight" pay cut and fill in for D-Rose, but he knows this is about as likely as one of the Luvabulls saying yes to his date invitations.
Mat would love to see the Bulls pursue Goran Dragic. He will certainly have a number of suitors, but the Bulls offer an attractive package. Aside from the financial, Dragic would be guaranteed the starting role until D-Rose returns, and then would be an integral piece in what would certainly be a contending team. Seeing as Dragic has not been in the post season in the past few years, and only once in his career, it makes quite a bit of sense for him to consider the Bulls.
There are certain other options out there. Jeremy Lin? Kirk Hinrich? Chauncey Billups and his bum achilles?
Mat wouldn't be sad if C.J. returns to the Bulls, but he believes the Bulls front office brain trust can find a more suitable option at PG until the MVP returns.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Omer's Future As A Bull
Omer Asik is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st. This
means that Omer is free to explore the options of playing for other
teams, but the Bulls have the opportunity to match any team's offer and
keep Omer in a Bulls jersey.
Mat loves Omer. Maybe too much, as Mat was heard telling his buddies that Omer's injury was a key reason why the Heat took the Bulls out in that awful ECF series.
Mat knows that Omer is probably never going to be an elite big man, or even a starter for the Bulls, but he does feel that Omer is the perfect compliment to Jo.
Omer has been improving defensively at a swift rate and is actually becoming a force under the hoop. His offensive prowess is not moving along quite as quickly, but he is certainly a heck of a lot better now than he was when he first donned a Bulls tank top.
Bulls GM Gar Forman responded to a few questions on Bulls.com recently including these remarks on Omer.
Mat loves Omer. Maybe too much, as Mat was heard telling his buddies that Omer's injury was a key reason why the Heat took the Bulls out in that awful ECF series.
Mat knows that Omer is probably never going to be an elite big man, or even a starter for the Bulls, but he does feel that Omer is the perfect compliment to Jo.
Omer has been improving defensively at a swift rate and is actually becoming a force under the hoop. His offensive prowess is not moving along quite as quickly, but he is certainly a heck of a lot better now than he was when he first donned a Bulls tank top.
Bulls GM Gar Forman responded to a few questions on Bulls.com recently including these remarks on Omer.
“Omer is very, very important to us. We see him as a key piece of our team moving forward."
"We think he has shown the potential to continue to improve, and it's our goal that Omer Asik will be a Chicago Bull in the foreseeable future"These comments make Mat smile. But he knows that other teams will be after Omer, if not only just to put some pressure on the Bulls to match an offer sheet.
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