Doug Thonus was spearheading a campaign for the Bulls to sign Josh Childress, and I was a willing subscriber. Unfortunately, it's a campaign that is now redundant. Childress had until July 15th to tell Olympiakos he wasn't coming back, and he has done exactly that, agreeing to a sign and trade from Atlanta to Phoenix in exchange for a 2012 second round draft pick.
With that in mind, the Bulls are looking elsewhere. From the same link, Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc Spears from Yahoo Sports report that the Bulls are now interested in free agent swingman Josh Howard. And now only are they expressing interest in him; they're expressing "serious interest" in him.
The Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls have shown "serious interest" in free-agent forward Josh Howard, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.
While the Bulls could have the salary-cap space to sign Howard, depending on what happens with their offer sheet to J.J. Redick, the Celtics would need a sign-and-trade to arrange a deal because they have already used their midlevel exception on Jermaine O'Neal.
Howard has yet to receive a contract offer. The Washington Wizards also have some interest in re-signing Howard.
A sign-and-trade deal will not be easy for the Wizards to do. Not only did they decline his $11 million team option before the free agency period began, but also, they renounced Howard in order to accommodate the salary of Kirk Hinrich. This means that they no longer have Bird rights on him, and while it is still possible to sign and trade one of your free agents if you no longer have Bird rights on them, it also means you can only do so via whatever cap space you may have left. And the Wizards are almost out.
So if they want him, the Bulls are financially miles in front.
However, it's valid to question why they might want him.
Howard is one of the premier swingman options left in free agency. With the big names gone, and the smaller names starting to go, Howard might be the juiciest grape amongst a bowl full of old manky hogweed. Non-elite players such as Travis Outlaw, Luther Head and Wesley Matthews are all being taken off the table; with a need for at least two more guards still upon them, the Bulls are going to have to get a-moving.
As an outside shooter, Howard is about the same calibre as Luol Deng. As a rebounder, he is about the same calibre as Luol Deng. As a ball handler and playmaker, he is about the same calibre as Luol Deng. And as a defender, he used to be about the same calibre as Luol Deng. However, in every facet of the game, Josh Howard has been trending downwards for some years now. And as he is currently recovering from a torn left knee ACL while now on the wrong side of 30, he is not likely to buck that trend.
As things stand, he's an older, smaller and worse Deng replica. Does such a thing merit "serious interest"?
Howard is aging, very often injured, and more athletic than skilled. That athletic reliance will not be helped by the age and the injuries; someone who has made his name as an athletic rebounder and defender needs the first part of that four word description to remain true if the other three words are to follow. He may be one of the best swing man options left on the market, but because of his injury, declining play and penchant for stupidity, he doesn't look like a great one.
More importantly, he is not a shooting guard, which is what the Bulls need. It would be fine if Howard came here to play backup small forward, if we didn't already have Kyle Korver and James Johnson to fill that role. Neither of those two will be much good at defending opposing shooting guards, and frankly, neither will Josh Howard.
If this signing is a precursor to a Deng trade, leaving a Howard/Korver/Johnson trio to fill out the small forward rotation, then that's another thing entirely. But since when was anything ever a precursor to a Deng trade?
Filed under: Free Agency
Tags: chicago bulls, free agency, Josh Howard, Rumours
Have the bulls contacted brewer? Do they have serious intrest in him?
Can Childress guard 2s?
QUESTION MARKS:
#1.) They have to address the SG position. That should come by next week. Redick or Brewer?
#2.) They have to address the back-up PG position. I would keep Acie Law and Jerel McNeal.
#3.) They have to address the back-up C position. I think Asik is coming, but what about Miller?
#4.) I think they should add another PF for depth. I like Craig Smith. He's like Big Baby Davis.
#5.) Examine trade possibilities. Melo, Brewer, S. Young & Fernandez should be on their radar.
If I were part of the Bulls' brass, I would be adding as much YOUNG DEPTH as possible.
SUMMER LEAGUE:
I think a few of those guys could be sticking with the team as well.
- Derrick Byars
- Morris Almond
- Jerel McNeal
- Matt Bouldin
I think all 4 of those guys have a shot right now, if given an HONEST chance to make the team.
JOSH HOWARD:
I think that is FAR-FETCHED. I don't see it happening.
I would sign Howard if he is some kind of lock-down defender at the SG position and he can known some threes. I am not sure what is going on with Childress...if Phoenix can get him ...Why didn't the Bulls not go for him maybe give him another 1 mil extra? The problem is however good JJ Redick and Korver can be, they will not be great defenders. They need somebody who can play some good perimeter defense and choices are not many. Is everything on hold until they know something about Redick? These are all good bench players but we need a decent SG as a starter and I am not entirely confident about Redick....but he is probably the best we can get in terms of overall play
I was curious about Childress, but I'll settle for Brewer, provided it's for less money, which I would assume is a given.
Don't know what to think about Howard. Even declining and injured, he's probably better than most of the remaining talent, but it's hard to read the strategy behind it.
What's the latest word on the earlier Deng for Pietrus/Gortat rumors? If that were to happen, that would open the door for a Howard/Korver/JJ rotation at SF (we should also look at Richard Jefferson for the right price). It would also add a good center to the rotation behind Noah but in front of Asik and it would add a good SG that could start. Presumably the Magic would make this trade if they were going to match Redick, but is Redick worth losing Pietrus and Gortat? Especially if they lose Matt Barnes, too.
I really whish we went after CHildress. I think the only reason we didnt was because we had already signed Reddick to an offer sheet when Childress was looking at teams and he wanted to sign sooner than later.
Doug, f you had to choose beteween the players and contracts they signed between Reddick and Childress, who would you go with?
Sign Brewer please!!!
If im the Bulls id go after Ronnie Brewer, Shaun Livingston and maybe even Kwame Brown (just for certain situations, guarding bigs,rebounds,hard fouls)
Rose, Livingston, Acie Law or McNeal
Brewer,Korver, Morris Almond
Deng, Korver, James Johnson
Boozer, Taj, Kwame or Omer Asik
Noah, resign Brad Miller, Kwame or Omer Asik
Livingston is back...i just watch some highlights from him from last season and the dude is ready. Sign him up! Also give Morris Almond a chance! He averaged 28ppg in the D League...that can translate into 8-10 ppg in the NBA imo.
csharp,
Livingston...no thanks. MAJOR HEALTH RISK.
Reddick looked good at times in this year's playoffs, but still overall he shot 39%. Of course that's largely due to a high volume of his shots being threes. Still he shot 40% from the arc this year on a fairly high volume. And that's what the Bulls need him to do next year if he comes to Chcago.
Again if it wasn't for his high draft pick/pedigree I'm not sure he's so enticing. So far he has not had starters minutes or averaged double digit scoring. Defensively hopefully he's added soem strength. He's no Hinrich(meaning he doesn't foul faking three point shooters at the end of games - kidding). If he's decent though lat quicks, has worked on his body strength, his agility is not bad at all then maybe he'll be OK/not a real liability on defense. He could be a breakout guy with starters minutes you never know.
It's too bad we couldn't have landed Mike Miller(I know injuries but still if they would have gotten him everybody would be excited about it). He's a major upgrade from Reddick who's a big question mark to say the least. Likewise Morrow. Anybody who jacks 300 threes at a 45% clip. Of course since we didn't sign them certain people will be knocking them, but I give the Bulls Gar/Pax/Jerry demerits for not landing one of these two clearly superior players.(waiting for Doug/mark to critique these two guys).
The Bulls backcourt is a liability defensively....
Im not comfortable as is...
I dont think Reddick would be so bad if we could sign brewer
Dont you guys think that this would be a good rotation
Rose, Law, (possibly Johnson)
Reddick, Brewer
Deng, Korver
Boozer, Taj
Noah, Asik, Miller
Brewer would definitely be the common sense signing cause Korver and Reddick are not athletic guards and someone like Wade would torture Kover and Reddick.
That would be a nice deep rotation
Yes thats a top 3 Eastern team for sure!
REPORT:
Orlando has signed QRICH to a deal.
http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/18370155724
I wonder how that will affect their Redick offer sheet decision...mmm.
Good...The more teams take off viable pieces for Miami from the market...it's good for the league and the Bulls.
Good move for Orlando, good omen for us if you are a Reddick fan, virtually guarantees no match on Reddick.
Bigway,
They could let Matt Barnes go and keep JJ Redick.
Barnes made $1.7 million last year, matching on Reddick will cost them $14 this year and next.
I would really like to see them pursue Mayo if he's available. I wonder if Johnson or Gibson and a future no. 1 get it done?
OJ Mayo probably will not be available ...It would be great as he is kind of Wade clone(obviously not his class).
Ideally, the Bulls should go for somebody like Mayo, Monta Ellis, Jason Richardson etc...somebody with a high upside or a good player.
He's available if we're swapping him for Rose.
He is not a Wade clone. Size wise, maybe. Game wise, not even close. Mayo is primarily a jump shooter. Wade is primarily a slasher.
I want nothing to do with Ellis. If we were thinking Gordon was limiting Rose's ability to flourish, getting Ellis would be tantamount to making Rose a backup. He'd be chucking 30 shots a game at a 39% conversion rate. And that's slashing, not shooting deep jumpers.
I'd explore a trade for Richardson, if he's available. Phoenix is a little thin at SG so somehow I doubt they are looking to trade him.
Ellis is basically Rose but 2-years older and much more expensive, no? I'd be interested in Richardson but they definitely can't fit Richardson or Ellis' 2010 salary under the cap unless the Magic match on Redick.
As for Mayo, I think you're right that Memphis is not actively shopping him. Though with Gay and Xavier Henry, Memphis might be willing to move him at the right price for some front-court help and a pick or two.
I really hope Rose gets better than Ellis. Who cares about the cap. He comes off the books at the end of the season. Let's see if Reinsdorf puts his money where his mouth has been.
Love to get our hands on Mayo, but he has to be a core guy in Memphis.
I went on to the Grizzlie's message board just to get some perspective on Mayo from fans that are closer to the team.. There seems to be a lot of sentiment that Mayo will get a healthy amount of minutes at the point this year and that if he's not successful in that role, he doesn't have much of a future in Memphis.
Anything important to be gleaned from Deng putting his home on the market?
We can glean that he makes enough money to upgrade.
I believe most NBAS fans and GM's would be much more excited about Matt Barnes then Reddick, Brewer, or Mason. He's an excellent defender and hits threes on an impact level when he's cooking.
Mike Miller, Morrow, or Barnes would have more interest/a higher ranking then who the Bulls have lined up Reddick, Mason, or Brewer IMO.
Wait, we did sign Lebron...right?
ps. I read some hypothetical lineups above.
You guys do realize if, at any point, Reddick, Rose and Korver are in the game at the sametime we're giving up at LEAST 45 points during that point in the game.
Agreed ... but many fans like me have high hopes for Rose's defense. It's improved dramatically since he started and with a guy like Thibodeau, one would have to think he can do even better.
Korver will never be good at defense, he just doesn't get it. But Reddick has worked to get better as well. He'll never be great, but as long as he's not horrible, that's okay.
If the bulls want brewer they better act fast because portland just offered wes mathews a fat contract that utah probably won't match so they'll be lookin at brewer.... didn't brewer get hurt last season? Is he fully recovered?
Thibs won't allow that to happen
nucahx,
I guess Doug said Deng is upgrading in Chicago.
Utah,
Brewer did get hurt last season. But I think he is good to go.
Also, I have to believe Utah will match the offer for Mathews. That's why Korver is gone.
I dunno the sports radio here is saying he's not worth the money... and that it's a "toxic offer" whatever that means.... but I dunno man.. and the offer for wes came after we got korver
New Jersey should say " F*** it" and sign Shaq, Howard, McGrady, and Iverson while trading for Vince Carter. 3 game improvement!!!!
One thing that may likely come out of this LeBum, B(P)osh Spice, and D-bag(Wade) conspiracy is the new CBA will have some sort of franchise player designation similar to the NFL. The owners simply wont allow themselves to be gutted, and have the fortunes/chamionships of the NBA decided by one or two players and/or their agency.
The price for signing a franchise designated free agent will probably be either a teams top two players(not including their franchise designee) along with any draft picks held or obtained by that team for the next three seasons or(in the Miami example where the team is gutted or have players of low value) then the value of that players current salary for the next three years paid in cash along with the next three years draft picks either held or obtained plus any exceptions held or obtained.
And judging by a lockout, and how so much of the media etc. say the players will cave because they have no guts and live paycheck to paycheck not to mention 75% of them are getting high weekly or daily according to Doug(I'm not even saying he's not right it's just sad). So they in the end will need their "house money," and will sign on to a new CBA including a franchise designee.
I know Udonis Haslem wants to stay in Miami but Dallas has offered him a 3yr. 20million dollar deal. He would be a fool to resign with Miami but maybe he wants to try to get that second championship ring.
it would be funny if mark cuban snatches up all the players that want to go to the heat. he is the one who wants the nba to look into collusion...so maybe he is pissed now and doesnt care about the money. that would be hilarious.
Heat kind-off stole the championship(atleast one of the most controversial finals) or Avery Johnson messed up during their finals match-up. I am sure Cuban is more pissed than he is letting it out. Plus, he got docked so much money for just joking about LeBron will Riley/Wade were tampering with LeBron/Bosh big-time.
It is going to be tough stopping some of these players...they are desperate to win a ring like a Stackhouse who will jump in immediately and get a decent role on the team.
I think Miami getting Haslem for virtually nothing would help them a lot/hurt everyone else. If he doesn't take that money $20 Mil he is just plain old Riley's bitch(like the rest of em' including LeBum).
If Cuban targets some of Riley's/Miami's more viable options that would be a godsend. They have more then enough unfair advantages already. I can only imagine Kobe joining D-Bag(wade), and giggling about how, " no one's going to be able to stop us." Which is just what LeBum and Dwyane were doing at the basking in glory pep rally aka Self-AgrandizmentPalooza.
Yeah I agree with you about Haslem, it is strange though that Miami is coming up with all of this money after giving those 3 damn near max deals not to mention giving Mike Miller 30 mil. and trying to get Fisher too for 3 mil. This team stinks of collusion and I really do believe the NBA has something to do with it. Something just isn't right!
I had a question for anyone that has knowledge to it...If the Bulls do get to sign Reddick, would they still have the cap space to bring in Brewer??
Haslem signed w/Miami...oh well.
Ya get me Ronnie Brewer please. 6'8 athletic SG that can play defense....thats what we need right now.
Either slam or dime magazine has us ranked 4th in the east after miami, orlando and boston...... bucks 5th so bucks vs bulls first round?? Hopefully asik is a good defender for bogut
I don't agree that Boston will be that good next year. So I'm putting us at #3 and Boston at #5 or #6. We would proly face Boston in 1st round. Then Orlando...
The only thing I dunno about is the addition of jermaine oneal they're a big team
They are all aging though. I dunno why Boston continues to add the old players! After another 82 game season they will not be able to keep playing at a high level i don't think. Boozer and Noah will handle their big all day.
After miami orlando chicago boston atlanta bucks and bobcats who do you guys see makin it after that? Knicks? Cavs?
The Bulls have bigtime options that are being over looked. Play Deng off the two, Gibson to the three, Boozer four, Noah five, Rose one; Go to work on that bench and ride that starting line up to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat! Relax, Thibs got this....
I think the players in FA the Bulls have their eye on, in this order is:
1. J.J. Reddick
2. Roger Mason
3. Ronnie Brewer
4. Shaun Livingston
and Im guessing the Bulls are done with looking for PF/C's so i guess its a lock for Brad Miller to come back.
Roger Mason despite this past season where his numbers are awful, according to scouting reports is a solid to odd defender at the two. And his perimeter shooting in his previous two seasons was good. he might be the best mix of both D and scoring/perimeter production.
If we're taking a chance on upside it's Reddick or Brewer, but I'm not sure if that's the best move since we're trying to win/become a contender now.
solid to good
NBATV has all the games, but I'm wondering if like they greedily do with regular season games, since it's our regions/home team if they will black it out since they are trying to sell Summer League Pass. I hope I'm wrong, but my guess is the greed as usual will win out, and at least here in central IL the Bulls games will be blacked out.
Haslem has a ring, he needs the money.
I would like to give Livingston a shot as a minimum salary type of guy. Could be a low risk high reward situation.
Bulls need some beef down low...Miller to old to guard Dwight, Noah isnt strong enough, Taj is to skinny, Asik ...lol naww, Boozer to small to guard Dwight. Id give Kwame Brown a cheap contract...Bulls need a bruiser that can guard the Perkins and Howards around the league. Not saying he will be defensive stopper but he will make it tougher for guys like Howard. Id really think about giving him a shot. 6'10 275...thats a big body to move down low. Sign him for a cheap deal
Haven't followed a lot of Jazz games. Any ideas on whether Utah will match Wesley Matthews offer from Portland? 5-year, $34 mil seems like a lot.
At this point, remaining suitors for Brewer appear to be Utah and Chicago. Memphis was also interested, but they just signed Tony Allen. Don't think Chicago will do anything with Brewer until Orlando decides on what to do with Redick, meaning Utah has until the end of this week to decide on Matthews or Brewer.
In terms of Howard, he was a good defensive player a couple of years ago, but given age and injuries (missed 30 games with ankle injury in 2008, tore ACL last year), he's lost a lot of quickness to chase after SG. Also, he's never a great 3-point shooter (27% last year. At this point, he's likely better suited at SF.
Josh Howard!? Are you serious? *hits buzzer* I'll take Tracy McGrady for 500 Mark!
There the same players...30s with prior knee injuries. Pass on both.
(Plus I think Tmac signed with Boston)
Ok but seriously, there are better options than this! Carlos Boozer already said he talked to Ronnie Brewer about coming here last week so hopefully he comes. If Brewer can hit the 3 more consistently he could become a younger more athletic version of James Posey imo. As for a backup PG I would throw Will Bynum a contract or maybe even Rafer Alston, Keyon Dooling, just for starts...
More consistently? He isn't consistent at all with the 3. He is a career 23% 3 point shooter and made a total of 8 last season. Have you seen his form? He will never become a NBA 3 point shooter, not his game.
Yes, I was thinking about Bynum the other day, not sure if he is restricted or not. He would be an awesome pickup as a backup point. However, he probably views himself as a starter, and would not come to the Bulls because of Rose.
Josh Howard!?
The only way I'd sign Josh Howard is if he consents to random or monthly drug tests specifically for pot(and coke while there at it). I know some guys, like many other entertainment/mon-conventional job people, smoke a joint here and there, and not weekly or even bi-weekly. But as he has gone out of his way to proclaim his use, I don't want him if he's a weekly/daily toker i.e head. The NBA/league may already do this, but I would want these done monthly. If the CBA doesn't allow for that in a contract(which I'm sure they don't) then I might have to pass.
I don't necessarily see why we'd need Gortat if we have Joakim and assuming Asik is not a lump(slow) and is big enough weight wise to defend centers otherwise what's the point of signing him? But if Deng is traded for a scenario where we get a potent SG such as Jason Richardson(Doug/Mark: "we're not getting Jason Richardson") then I'd be very interested. Assuming the Magic resign Reddick.
Maybe a stable of talented bigs for defense, rebounding, and scoring would be specifically aimed at Miami's supposed weakness though everybody and his brother seems willing to play for the minimum now/rings. I mean I've heard Haslem and Ilgauskas(did not check spellings) both could be on board. Still if it's Gortat/Pietrus that is a nice bundle of size and three/perimeter shooting.
One thing about Howard is he is only 30, and I'm not sure his knee injury is one that precludes a full recovery. And before last year's huge drop off he was shooting 45-47% on about 17-18 ppg for years. He could be a comeback steal if he's got his mind right and motivated..? Interesting. But of course you'd think that he would want playing time which would mean a precursor to Deng's trade/deaprture. I really hope the Bulls surprise me, and make a dynamic move that yet upgrades what will be a much improved roster, but with the right tweeks could make it to the ECF(Doug/Mark: "they will not make to the ECF").
Ya I hope they don't sign him! Doug do u think if reddick becomes a bull we will go after brewer just for defense? I know the deal for reddick was front loaded so if they sign howard that could get in the way of bringin in brewer ....
Also I think that Reddick has a chance to break out given a starting position and playing along side the best pg in the league
I agree. If Reddick is our starter we have firepower at 3 and he may be good for 15-18ppg...then Korver off the bench. If Rose and Deng improve on their 3pt shooting then we can be very dangerous offensively. Brewer would round us out on D and he adds intensity as well.
I really prefer Barnes as our defensive specialist, especially since his offensive game is better than Brewers.
Also, as much as I like the sound of Ronnie Brewer, rangy SG who defends well and penetrates, we need guys who can shoot and keep the lane clear. With Thib's coaching and Taj(not getting raped again by NBA refs) and Joakim manning the paint I think we might be able to get away more with guys like Korver and Reddick on D(somewhat). I'd rather get shooters because it's going to be a much more advantageous setting for Derrick and Booz to operate.
I am getting concerned that we are trying to fill one position with 3 or 4 guys who can do one or two things well. We need a guy who can do a min of 3 to 4 things well a SG should do... if not an almost all-star. Is that too much to ask?
A SG obviously has to shoot jumpers, sometimes create his own shot, defend well consistently, shoot 3 pointers, shoot free throws well, pass decently and need to be atleast 6-4 or 6-5 in height. If the SG can satisfy atleast 3/4 characteristics we should be happy. Redick can satisfy a few of them and hopefully they get him. Otherwise, we are in trouble if we have to depend on a few one-trick ponys...
Which is why we should have purchase the rights to Dominique JOnes in the draft like Dallas did.
Bulls must be looking into trade options for Deng if they are thinking of signing Howard. Bulls need a shooting guard defender. Rumors had Utah interested in Brewer as well, with Memphis now signing Tony Allen Brewer could be the odd man out with his former team. The Bulls need to sign this guy Quick before someone offers him a contract he can't refuse. Brewer could be the athletic 2 guard that the bulls could surely use.
MEMPHIS GUARD HEAVY:
This is like Golden State all over again, who stacked their roster with guards. Thus, guys like Belinelli, Azubuike and Morrow were made availble.
Right now, Memphis has several shooting guards on their roster.
- O.J. Mayo
- Tony Allen
- Xavier Henry
- Greivez Vasquez
- Ronnie Brewer
- Sam Young
Certainly, the Bulls can acquire one of them, if not more that that.
And they should.
Despite your continued insistance, Sam Young is not a shooting guard. But as we all know, once you get an idea in your head, you never give it up.
Ronnie Brewer and Sam Young are the logical choices there.
There is an outside shot at O.J. Mayo, but I don't think James Johnson gets it done.
A) Sam Young is not a SG. If he was able to play SG consistently, he'd have gone higher in last year's draft.
B) There's an outside shot at Mayo if Rose is part of the package. Period.
James Johnson will get us what Hinrich got us, if that.
Everybody dont forget about the Bulls Summer league game tomorrow! James Johnson is gonna be a part time POINT GUARD!!
is it televised? if so what channel? thanks
James Johnson a PG...ah, I don't think so.
Doug, I'm in total agreement with you, sort of.
I actually have virtually zero interest in Howard.
I was totally dissappointed when I read the reports on Childress signing with Phoenix, and I thought that the deal was very reasonable, at $30 million a bit less than I thought he might get. I figured he would get the full mid level at least, maybe even just a bit more.
Does anybody have any idea why Childress was never on the Bulls radar.
Despite a slight case of knucleheadedness, I like his versatility and athleticism. Childress might have put us in a position to finally trade Deng, and certainly put us in a stronger position to go after Melo. With his length he might have been our best option to play some defense on Wade.
The more that I think about it the more bummed that I am, he would have been a nice fit as a 6th man.
THX Doug
I would love for them to go after Matt Barnes more than Brewer, but if they can get one of the two, it would be great.
whats wit the man crush on Josh Childress?