Via a bunch of links I don't have immediately at my disposal:
The Bulls are scheduled to meet with Bosh at 12:01 tonight, the first team to meet with him. They'll look to give him a hard recruiting push to bring him in right away.
They're meeting with Dwyane Wade tomorrow afternoon even though it's unlikely he'll come.
The Hawks have stepped up and offered Joe Johnson a 6th year though they aren't necessarily offering him the max. Johnson is now expected to stay with Atlanta.
If the Bulls can get Bosh then the off-season is a huge win. That sets the ball in motion for a dominant off-season. I think Bosh is going to Miami, but I'll hold out some hope.
If not, then Bosh is going to Miami most likely and the meeting with Wade is a waste of time though, it's always good to try to make a good impression because you never know. It could workout that Bosh goes to NY and then Wade may get nervous about not getting the help he wants.
Joe Johnson staying in Atlanta isn't the kiss of death as I didn't really want him anyway, but my views against Johnson have softened incredibly with the room to bring in another player with him. Johnson + Boozer/Lee/Amare is an awesome off-season though Johnson alone wouldn't have helped much IMO.
If Johnson stays with the Hawks and Bosh isn't going to sign then the Bulls best bet IMO is to come to terms with Boozer immediately. It gives them what they've lacked the most (great low post offense and some physicality as well as a pick and roll option), and sets the stage for them to be just a guard away from a very dangerous well balanced team as well as still having a great star player to try and convince LeBron to come play with.
Just a few more hours, we'll see how it goes.
Filed under: Free Agency
Tags: Atlanta Hawks, carlos boozer, chicago bulls, chris bosh, Dwyane Wade, joe johnson, lebron james, miami heat
It looks like all the dominoes will fall early. If we can get Bosh to commit tonight it will be huge. I can't wait anymore lol
That would be a huge domino but it's hard to see almost anyone committing early before making the rounds first.
Yes, I agree. But you can bet the Bulls will be aiming hard at him tonight. They know how important adding Bosh to this team is. It can almost guarantee you a LeBron James. The only thing that I'm still not too sure on is how we would acquire both guys. With all that said, nothing will surprise me.
What's "a Lebron James"? Is he anything like the Lebron James?
nah, way better.
I hope the Bulls are prepared for what Wade might be trying to do. Ask about their plans and trying to understand their future plans..not trying to pull some tricks from Riley...
BTW, I was watching NBA TV,,,.and most analysts feel LeBron/Bosh are coming to Chicago...Just more suspense...I guess.
DUMB DUMB move. Why in the hell are they wasting their time with this guy! So what he is from Chicago, he has already said he wants to be in Miami. I smell PAT RILEY all over this. Now he has Wade coming to Chicago to see the kind of pitch they sell him. I am totally speechless behind this. The Bulls management should be on a plane to see what Joe Johnson's plans are even though he has that ridiculous contract on the table from Atlanta. I would not be surprised to wake up tomorrow morning to see that one of the guys that the Bulls are trying to sign, signed to another team. Why waste time with Wade...WHY?????
You've departed from reality.
No.... you have if you think Wade will sign with the Bulls. It's not a smart move.
QUESTION:
PG - Rose
SG - Wade
SF - Deng
PF - Bosh
C - Noah
Do they beat this team?
PG - Williams
SG - West
SF - LBJ
PF - Jamison
C - Varejao
I say yes!!!
We'd win 4 of the 5 positions ...
Rose beats Williams by an a fair amount.
Wade beats West by a lot.
LBJ beats Deng by a lot.
Bosh beats Jamison by a decent amount.
Noah beats Varejao by a small amount.
The Cavs might have the better bench though.
I still think we'd take a series with them pretty comfortably in 6.
If only D-Wade and Lebron used your lineups to dictate where they would go.. I've seen a lot of people on here talk about what the best starting 5 would be, but as you know, the players care about many aspects of this.. the city, the schools perhaps, their friends location, the market size, the coach, and of course the cash.. in Lebron's case, he's getting the max no matter where he goes. I don't care what Stephen A Smith says -- Lebron ain't takin' anything less than the max. And I think Bosh has decided he's getting the max regardless as well.
For those of you who listened to Bosh on Mike & Mike last week, did you get the same vibe that I did..? It seemed to me that he doesn't want to be the 3rd option.. therefore, I see why he doesn't see the "dream" trio happening.
1. James is not definitely going back to Cleveland to have that lineup again for next year
2. Wade is definitely not coming to Chicago.
So this is just fantasy hoops
I actually would like to see Chicago sign Bosh and then make a few B or C level cheaper signings to create a deep team. Say we blow our entire cap on Bosh and Lebron and one of them goes down, we would have a bench full of scrubs picking up the slack. Having a 6th or 7th man could work wonders.
Wade and Bosh meeting with teams in Chicago. I wonder why they have to be together. Pat Riley told Wade to Stick with Bosh just in case the Bulls pitch is too good for him to pass up so he can talk him out of it. This has to be the most bogus mess that I have heard yet. Don't look for Bosh to sign with the Bulls tonight cause he already knows he's signing with Miami.
Your conspiracy theory might make some sense... if it wasn't happening in Chicago.
So you're saying that Wade followed Bosh to Chicago? Umm... Wade has ties to Chicago, not Bosh. Who's following whom?
They're both here and its not coincidence...
Yes, its NOT coincedence...They both have the same agent whose main office is in Chicago. Since the agent is there and hosting the meetings, it makes perfect sense it's in Chicago... just like LeBron's meetings are at his agent's Ohio office. Dude, just relax. The earliest we will hear things is this weekend.
LeBron comes to Chicago. Print it!!!
Reese1, I hope you're so wrong.. but there could be an element of truth in that.
Does anyone else think that maybe Lebron doesn't WANT to do what everyone thinks is the smartest thing to do? I have hung around a few athlete/stud types (not on the pro level), and they seem to go against the grain of what everyone wants them to do.. they think they're smarter, faster, stronger, better.. and in some cases, they are. So they like to show everyone that they did it THEIR way.
If that describes Lebron, he ain't comin' to Chicago.
I hope that I am wrong too Justin but Wade hangin around Bosh is not a good sign. These free agents with the same agent should not be allowed to be around each other when it comes to something this big.
Lebron want's to be a Billionaire athlete with worldwide Icon status. His profile is so large now, the only true way to grow it is to win championships. He goes to a team with the best shots at it. THe best shot is Chicago. Then maybe the Clippers (yeah I know but take away the bumbling owner and living as a second class team and they have a nice core)... but why would anyone want to go play for the other LA team in a town dominated by Kobe. The Heat triumverate leaves 3 egos and even if they play well together, it leaves 9 minimum salary scrubs.... assuming Beasely and the other guy are moved in a Bosh S & T. If one of those guys goes down (and with Wade and Bosh that is probable) that team is screwed. I don't see that team winning the title for at least a few years... until they can at least bring in a couple with the biannual and midlevel exceptions and some picks. The Nets are intriguing but lost a ton with the core they had and are without a GM. And the Knicks... well they just suck period.
Bosh to Chicago in a Sign and Trade, just reported:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/413785-report-raptors-bulls-to-do-sign-trade-bosh-heading-to-chicago
I dunno how credible this is..
I saw this earlier. Unfortunately, its BS.
I think you're right. A lot of BS out there right now. I won't believe anything until these guys have their meetings with the teams and mull over their options.
True. This would scream tampering
True, this would scream tampering
No it wouldn't because negotiations are taking place through the teams. I'm actually betting the various S and T Bosh rumors are true... in the sense that Toronto has agreed upon certain scenarios with teams Bosh is interested in. So they don't waste time when Bosh tells them he wants to go to Chicago, Miami, Houston, or elsewhere.
I think after 11 pm tonight we will start hearing the facts and all these crazy rumors will be over.
Take everything you hear on Bleacher Report with a grain of salt. Any of us could write for them! Its a fan site.
first of all its not like wade and bosh are taking their interviews at the same time or somewhat close. bosh was scheduled to take it last night and wade is suppose to take it today at some point. its not always good to be the first one because it can be forgetten thorughout 6-10 other teams. the idea that the bulls are meeting with lebron last is huge because it will stay in his mind the most if he likes us. but with bosh and wade, not being the first one is a good thing, we do not come off like we are desperate for them. they know what the bulls have to work with on their roster and organization so they are just waiting on the best sales pitch.
THIS JUST IN:
As reported by Yahoo:
Wade is giving up on LBJ and the Bulls are supposedly in the lead for him.
http://realgm.net/src_wiretap_archives/67644/20100630/wade_giving_up_on_recruiting_lebron/
Hmmm interesting. Wojnarowski has proven to pretty reliable when it comes to this stuff. More from his tweets: "When it comes to LeBron James, still one consistent belief among participants: Bulls lead, with Heat, Nets and Cavs in hot pursuit."
http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/17460505272
Yeah, that dream team idea was bogus crap.. I think Wade could get Boozer or Amare and the Bulls would still have a better team if we got just one of the big FA's.
PER YAHOO SPORTS
Shaw withdraws from CLE job. I think it's safe to say LeBron is gone.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AkTt0lCc2jkT3v18MnjFUSS8vLYF?slug=ys-shawcavs063010
I wouldn't say all of that. Reports also saying that Lebron playing softball in Akron. He is sounding entirely too comfortable. I think he will stay in Cleveland. I hate it but it may be reality.
Yeah, i just saw that. If that report is true, then I think he's signing that 3YR deal with CLE. Also, Wade has given up on trying to recruit LeBron so he may know something. I still have hope though.
Because Byron Scott took the job.
PER HOOPS HYPE:
Rumors: Bulls ahead in LeBron race? + Cavs, Heat interested in Ray Allen?
http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm
Or he knows Phil Jackson is leaving LA.
COuldn't care less about Wade. IMHO, Rose is going to be a better baller than Wade in 3 years. I'd much rather have Lebron and a big Man than wade... Wade would be 4th on my list as I'd rather have Nowitski if we are talking max dollars. Seriously, how sick would that team be with Dirk and Lebron. I trust Dirk's knees more than Wade's right now. I'll tell you right now... Wade will not win another NBA title as long as he is with the Heat.
That summer league team looks great!
Oh god. If we sign Lebron and Boozer, and win the ring... Cleveland sports fans might make the 6 hour drive over here just to start a second great Chicago Fire...
Good point KidronMusic.. I hadn't thought of that angle on it. Hilarious.
The good news of the night is that if ATL signs Johnson to a 6 year max deal, the Hawks will be regretting that contract in about.. 2 years. Anytime another team is stuck with a bad contract, especially in the East, is a tiny win for our Bulls.
Bleacher Report is not exactly a news organization ;) Anyone including a 12 year old qualifies as a reporter for Bleacher Reporter!
THIS JUST IN:
Byron Scott to become Head Coach of the Cavaliers.
http://realgm.net/src_wiretap_archives/67638/20100630/report_byron_scott_to_become_head_coach_of_cavaliers/
Didn't I predict that?
He's gonna have his work cut out for him once LeBron splits.
I have to wonder about this one ...
I thought it was pretty clear that Scott was waiting to make sure Phil was coming back ... cause if he's not, Scott should be the leading candidate for the Lakers.
If Scott were to sign a deal, I'd have to think that he knew something about Phil's decision.
Richard Jefferson opted out. If the Spurs lose him, would they take Deng?
I agree seems Wade is staying with the heat, and may be using his meeting to find what the Bulls pitch to Lebron may be like.
Another thing I get out of this that hasn't been mentioned.
What if Wade and Bosh already know LeBron is going back to CLE. Looking at Miami's roster they don't have anybody other than Wade. What if Wade just has made up his mind and decided to leave Miami and bring Bosh in. It makes sense because we have Noah and Rose along with Deng and Taj. If money isn't an issue with them and it has been reported that they would have split up the money in Miami then i can definitely see this happening.
A sign & trade is necc to get Bosh anyway. Once we have Bosh we will have enough to get another max FA like Lebron or Wade. Let's get Lebron!!
With all of Bosh's talent he is injury prone tho...I would rather the cheaper, safer option of Lee to pair with Lebron.
I'm sure if we got LeBron the second option really wouldn't matter to most fans. But, in this case, Bosh gets us LeBron, not David Lee.
Nothing has happen and I am already disappointed...When I heard that JR will go to Lebron's meeting, I thought, Forget it!..LBJ is not coming to the Bulls. Bosh and Wade is a same sex marriage! Now Johnson is staying...WTF?
I like Lee a lot and would be happy to see him here. He's said complimentary things about playing with Derrick. David Lee would be a great fit. Now all we need is #6. Highland Park welcome your newest resident LeBron James!!!
I don't know what to say anymore. I'm just hoping that when I wake up tomorrow we have a new PF.
That WON'T happen.. maybe in a few days, but not tomorrow morning.
Hence the word "hope".
The SUMMER LEAGUE roster does have a lot of shooters.
Chicago Bulls:
Joe Alexander
Morris Almond
Matt Bouldin
Derrick Byars
James Johnson
Rob Kurz
John Lucas
Jack McClinton
Aj Ogilvy
Trent Plaisted
Samardo Samuels
I'm happy to see my boy, Derrick Byars, back. I wish ACIE LAW would get added though.
Jack McClinton, from...
THE UUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!
HOUSTON (we have a problem):
It looks like Houston met with Chris Bosh first.
http://twitter.com/dmorey/status/17470689396
Where the hell are John Paxson and Gar Forman? GET TO WORK GUYS!!!
I'm telling you don't discount Wade and Bosh on the Bulls.
If we can make a S&T happen with Bosh, Yeah, I see it happening. But realistically, there is no way in hell that will happen. Reports are saying Colangelo does not want to take Deng and I don't see Toronto helping us build a dynasty. By not getting rid of Deng's salary, we won't be able to sign both guys unless one takes less money.
I think that I have finally figured out how you are getting all this exclusive inside information.
You are banging Wade's psycho ex wife.