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Paxson has only begun to tweak
By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter
August 29, 2004, 9:41 PM CDT
John Paxson took some rare days off last week, but he knows his work is far from finished this off-season.
With a little more than a month until training camp begins, the Bulls' general manager has several critical decisions to make, some of which could affect the franchise for years to come.
The Bulls believe they are better positioned for the future after drafting Ben Gordon and Luol Deng and signing Andres Nocioni. They could be right.
But even management might concede that the need to develop Gordon and Deng and to nurture Nocioni's transition to the NBA shifts the focus to the future rather than the here and now.
That said, mastering the following personnel situations would affect both the present and future, which is why Paxson is still on the clock.
What to do with Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler?
Recent trade talks with Memphis regarding Curry were legitimate and serious, with names like Lorenzen Wright and Bo Outlaw almost making the Bulls bite on a larger package involving Eddie Robinson.
Team Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who met with Curry shortly after last season to impress upon him his value to the franchise, remains a supporter. That's why he has made it clear that Paxson must receive equal value in any Curry trade.
Curry will be a restricted free agent next summer and the Bulls want to avoid a repeat of the Jamal Crawford saga. One team—the Knicks—drove Crawford's price tag out of the Bulls' budget, forcing them to make a trade based more on financial than basketball reasons.
The trade value for Curry, who has alternately pleased and peeved management with his work ethic this summer, might be at its highest.
As for Chandler, his name came up in trade talks with Houston that were centered on Dikembe Mutombo. Those appear to have cooled for now. But Chandler's work ethic this summer has impressed management, so he appears to be safe.
Now Chandler just needs to stay healthy.
What to do with Scottie Pippen?
Paxson finally met with his former teammate last week in an attempt to compromise on the guaranteed second year that calls for Pippen to make $5.3 million.
In short, Pippen wants his money. Paxson wants Pippen's roster spot. Pippen still could be included in a trade if Paxson pulls off a blockbuster with, say, Curry.
Either way, it's unlikely Pippen will have any effect—beyond the salary cap—on the Bulls next season.
What to do with Mutombo?
Mutombo's agent, David Falk, has made it clear he doesn't want his client playing for the Bulls. But Paxson won't give the center away, and Houston keeps trying to include unwanted salary-cap filler in trade talks for shooting guard Eric Piatkowski.
Mutombo, typically a stoic professional, has a history of being prickly when he's playing somewhere he doesn't want to. Mindful of this, Bulls management has kicked around the idea of visiting Mutombo as a staff in sort of a recruiting trip.
The staff would try to sell the philosophy of hard work and professionalism that Paxson and coach Scott Skiles say they are trying to create.
What to do with the backcourt?
As of now, it consists of Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and some combination of Frank Williams and possibly Jannero Pargo or Chris Duhon. Unless Eddie Robinson is the answer as a reserve shooting guard—and he could be—Paxson knows he needs to acquire large, veteran help.
Luol Deng impressed enough at summer league with his tenacity and underrated quickness that he could even play some at shooting guard. But he's stuck in London with visa problems, limiting his off-season workouts at the Berto Center.
Paxson will be back at work there this week. Does he waive Cezary Trybanski? Does he waive Chris Jefferies?
With training camp looming, there are more questions than answers.
By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter
August 29, 2004, 9:41 PM CDT
John Paxson took some rare days off last week, but he knows his work is far from finished this off-season.
With a little more than a month until training camp begins, the Bulls' general manager has several critical decisions to make, some of which could affect the franchise for years to come.
The Bulls believe they are better positioned for the future after drafting Ben Gordon and Luol Deng and signing Andres Nocioni. They could be right.
But even management might concede that the need to develop Gordon and Deng and to nurture Nocioni's transition to the NBA shifts the focus to the future rather than the here and now.
That said, mastering the following personnel situations would affect both the present and future, which is why Paxson is still on the clock.
What to do with Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler?
Recent trade talks with Memphis regarding Curry were legitimate and serious, with names like Lorenzen Wright and Bo Outlaw almost making the Bulls bite on a larger package involving Eddie Robinson.
Team Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who met with Curry shortly after last season to impress upon him his value to the franchise, remains a supporter. That's why he has made it clear that Paxson must receive equal value in any Curry trade.
Curry will be a restricted free agent next summer and the Bulls want to avoid a repeat of the Jamal Crawford saga. One team—the Knicks—drove Crawford's price tag out of the Bulls' budget, forcing them to make a trade based more on financial than basketball reasons.
The trade value for Curry, who has alternately pleased and peeved management with his work ethic this summer, might be at its highest.
As for Chandler, his name came up in trade talks with Houston that were centered on Dikembe Mutombo. Those appear to have cooled for now. But Chandler's work ethic this summer has impressed management, so he appears to be safe.
Now Chandler just needs to stay healthy.
What to do with Scottie Pippen?
Paxson finally met with his former teammate last week in an attempt to compromise on the guaranteed second year that calls for Pippen to make $5.3 million.
In short, Pippen wants his money. Paxson wants Pippen's roster spot. Pippen still could be included in a trade if Paxson pulls off a blockbuster with, say, Curry.
Either way, it's unlikely Pippen will have any effect—beyond the salary cap—on the Bulls next season.
What to do with Mutombo?
Mutombo's agent, David Falk, has made it clear he doesn't want his client playing for the Bulls. But Paxson won't give the center away, and Houston keeps trying to include unwanted salary-cap filler in trade talks for shooting guard Eric Piatkowski.
Mutombo, typically a stoic professional, has a history of being prickly when he's playing somewhere he doesn't want to. Mindful of this, Bulls management has kicked around the idea of visiting Mutombo as a staff in sort of a recruiting trip.
The staff would try to sell the philosophy of hard work and professionalism that Paxson and coach Scott Skiles say they are trying to create.
What to do with the backcourt?
As of now, it consists of Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and some combination of Frank Williams and possibly Jannero Pargo or Chris Duhon. Unless Eddie Robinson is the answer as a reserve shooting guard—and he could be—Paxson knows he needs to acquire large, veteran help.
Luol Deng impressed enough at summer league with his tenacity and underrated quickness that he could even play some at shooting guard. But he's stuck in London with visa problems, limiting his off-season workouts at the Berto Center.
Paxson will be back at work there this week. Does he waive Cezary Trybanski? Does he waive Chris Jefferies?
With training camp looming, there are more questions than answers.
Are we that worried about our players egos these days? So much so that when one reporter gets bored and blows a story out of proportion we take it as law?
