Bulls win tiebreaker with spurs and get 29th pick in draft

[Morten Jensen]

Fab Melo?

That's my target. Asik is going to get paid this summer. Melo could step in and clog the lane in a similar way, though not as effectively of course. But it's better to have some size on the bench, than not having it.

[boogydown]

I want the Bulls to move the #29 Pick + Move Gibson and/or Watson and get 1 Pick + unguaranteed deals, then use the MMLE on a PG or PF to replace Gibson and Watson

[boogydown]

Fab Melo?

That's my target. Asik is going to get paid this summer. Melo could step in and clog the lane in a similar way, though not as effectively of course. But it's better to have some size on the bench, than not having it.

Fab Melo doesn't seem like a Paxson Type Guy at all

Entering last season out of shape, Melo's weight has been a concern on a number of different occasions since he emerged on our radar. A legit 7-footer, when Melo is in poor shape, his athleticism suffers, but when he trims down, he looks noticeably quicker, even if he isn't a dynamic athlete by any stretch. The Brazilian big man still needs to continue working on his strength in the weight room, but he appears to be starting this season in a much better place than he did last year in terms of conditioning, which is a promising sign.

On the defensive end, Melo made his long-awaited debut as the anchor of Syracuse's zone, but struggled to make his presence felt for significant stretches. Still learning the nuances of the 2-3 and finding himself regularly out of position and in foul-trouble, his impact was limited on this end of the floor. When he wasn't in foul trouble, Melo blocked shots at a terrific rate, aggressively pursued rebounds, and remained active, but will need to improve his fundamentals, understanding of the 2-3, and discipline around the basket to stay on the floor and reach his exceptional defensive potential.

Okay so that means:
- Melo was out of shape. Not a good sign when Paxson wants the hardest of the hardest workers
- Lacks a lot of defensive skills we need

Doesn't seem like a replacement at all. With the amount of teams who need Centers, he will go high. What Paxson did with Asik was smart. He nabbed him for 3 2nd Rd Picks a guy who was "Off The Radar". With limited Centers in this draft, don't expect Paxson to pull that off again in this draft selecting a "Replacement Center".

Sorry but Paxson to me wants to keep Asik at all costs but is going to remain quiet about this UNTIL Asik is resigned.

My gut tells me Paxson will use one or two of our tradeable assets and our #29 Pick and move up for a PF. With 36% of the 1st Round Picks being a PF, I think there is a high chance he will get a PF to be our 5th Big unless we can get into the Lottery with Taj and get a PF. Right now, I don't have any clue who we'd draft but I can definitely say about 10 guys who won't be our pick.

[Morten Jensen]

There's a reason Melo is slotted to be selected late in the first round. It's because of these limitations. You can't always find Paxson guys late in the draft, so getting a big who at least is mobile carries with it some value.

Besides, who's to say Melo wouldn't improve significantly under Thibodeau? IMO, the Bulls have enough faith in Tom's design that it's worth risking a late pick to make the gamble.

As for Asik, the fact is we don't know what will happen. Like you, I hope he's retained. But if Cleveland or Toronto throws down a ridiculous offer, what can we do? You say Paxson is ready to keep Asik at all costs, but that's not really up to him. It's up to Jerry.

[Red-Bulls83]

I also really like Doron Lamb. I think he is projected to go around there. He sounds like he could be a good offensive spark plug off the bench and he fits a need at SG.

[cot2]

The Bulls should get a good player at #29. There are about 24 players with no way they slip that far, but if any of them do, you take them.

1 - Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, Robinson, Drummond, Beal, Barnes, Jeremy Lamb, Sullinger, Perry Jones, Lilard, Tyler Zeller, Henson, Marshall, Rivers, Leonard, Terrence Jones, Ross, Mourltre, Wroten, Waiters, Teague, Quincy Miller, Harkless, Jeff Taylor

That leaves my next 5, one of which is guaranteed to be there, unless a better player slipped, which is even better.

25 – Michell, White, Fournier, Nicholson, Doron Lamb

You don't like my 5, these are my next five, all decent players.

30 – Melo, John Jenkins, Green, Ezeli, Tyshawn Taylor

Although good players, none would join the rotation, any more than Butler this season, nor would any that the Bulls could trade up for, with any assets the Bulls would be willing to move. The Bulls salary situation will be tight, and with only the MMLE, and minimum salaries to replace anyone they move, there is zero chance the Bulls would move a player, with the production, and salary, of Gibson, even if they did not think they could afford him later, which is far from certain. The Bulls will stay at 29, and get a player that has the chance to contribute, in the future.

[boogydown]

I spent some quality time researching these guys and here is my list

Terrence Ross - SG
John Henson - PF
Meyers Leonard - C
Arnett Moultrie - PF/C
Dion Waiters - SG
Evan Fournier (Overseas) - SG
Festus Ezeli - PF/C
Fab Melo - C

Honestly, I'm going to say it right now that Paxson moves either CJ or Taj on Draft Day for an Unguaranteed + Pick back and moves our #29 to move up in the Draft. My gut tells me he'll do it even if we win a title. CJ is a system guy and his value has never been higher. I truly believe you can replace CJ without any issues with the MMLE. I'm going to say CJ is gone rather than Taj as an early guess on Draft Day.

Now as for the guys above, these guys are defensive minded players either guys who can already play defense or are willing and have the skill set to learn defense. They also are off the radar type players. Any of these guys who people don't feel are Paxson Type Guys, let me know because I'll admit I haven't done that much research to the point I am an expert. I'm basing this off what little I have seen and the breakdowns I was given.

[boogydown]

As for Asik, the fact is we don't know what will happen. Like you, I hope he's retained. But if Cleveland or Toronto throws down a ridiculous offer, what can we do? You say Paxson is ready to keep Asik at all costs, but that's not really up to him. It's up to Jerry.

I just can't see it. He just isn't that good to be worth a huge offer. $9M is the most I could see him go for. I'd just match whatever offer and figure out what to do with him later.

Still learning the nuances of the 2-3 and finding himself regularly out of position and in foul-trouble, his impact was limited on this end of the floor. When he wasn't in foul trouble, Melo blocked shots at a terrific rate, aggressively pursued rebounds, and remained active, but will need to improve his fundamentals, understanding of the 2-3, and discipline around the basket to stay on the floor and reach his exceptional defensive potential.

Just reading that, it shows he can improve with time but it seems to me he has upside defensively but looks like he'll never be an offensive type player. Guess what? That's a Paxson type player. All defense no offense so I will retract what I said and say there is a possibility he could be a target.

[thedarkstark]

Gar/Pax have been pretty excellent when it comes to drafting, really the only mistake they've made is taking Tyrus over Aldridge, and at least they were smart enough to realize it and trade him for a solid pick.

I'm sure they will find some talent with the 29th pick, even if it's a euro-stash player who doesn't come to the NBA for a few years.

[Tommy Udo 6]

Gar/Pax have been pretty excellent when it comes to drafting, really the only mistake they've made is taking Tyrus over Aldridge, and at least they were smart enough to realize it and trade him for a solid pick.

I'm sure they will find some talent with the 29th pick, even if it's a euro-stash player who doesn't come to the NBA for a few years.

they also made a mistake with James Johnson - but later traded him for a pick that became Nikola Mirotic. Good return on that one.

[boogydown]

Gar/Pax have been pretty excellent when it comes to drafting, really the only mistake they've made is taking Tyrus over Aldridge, and at least they were smart enough to realize it and trade him for a solid pick.

I'm sure they will find some talent with the 29th pick, even if it's a euro-stash player who doesn't come to the NBA for a few years.

Only 2 Euros in this Draft.

Highly doubt we land an Euro this year.

I had said on the Trades Thread that after Sullinger, the draft isn't very talented and you could potentially land someone decent #7 to #30. No reason to move up into the Lottery in my opinion. I was at one point for moving Taj if we could find a guy in the Lottery but at this point I see no reason as I think Paxson can find a quality pick by either moving up a little in the draft or selecting at #29.

My personal thoughts here is he may need to move up a little so I am leaning towards moving CJ Watson for an Early 2nd + Unguaranteed then taking that Early 2nd + #29 to move up to say the #20 to #23 and selecting who he wants.

Replace CJ in the offseason using the MMLE and break even on that.

If we draft a 2, I would be very for cutting Brewer and signing a Vet Min until the 2 is ready. Save another $2.5M there. Can't afford to lose Korver. I see absolutely no one who can replace his production and we'd also have to pay $500k. I say keep Korver, try to resign him for cheaper in 2013 when he expires. Shooters are badly needed on this team.

[boogydown]

they also made a mistake with James Johnson - but later traded him for a pick that became Nikola Mirotic. Good return on that one.

James Johnson was a mistake. Could have selected Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague, Ty Lawson, or Marcus Thornton. Johnson had upside but Paxson should have known he would have never been a good fit. He doesn't provide spacing, and I personally feel he is like Travis Outlaw. I don't think James Johnson is in this league when he turns 30.

However, Paxson gets a brownie point for realizing this and moving him when he had value. He also did an excellent job moving the mistake in Tyrus. Two brownie points for Paxson.

Bolding the mistakes below

2011 1 30 Jimmy Butler United States Marquette
2009 1 16 James Johnson United States Wake Forest University
2009 1 26 Taj Gibson United States University of Southern California
2008 1 1 Derrick Rose United States University of Memphis
2008 2 39 Sonny Weems United States University of Arkansas
2007 1 9 Joakim Noah United States[1] University of Florida
2007 2 49 Aaron Gray United States University of Pittsburgh
2007 2 51 JamesOn Curry United States Oklahoma State University
2006 1 2 LaMarcus Aldridge United States University of Texas at Austin (For Tyrus)
2006 1 16 Rodney Carney United States University of Memphis (For Thabo)
2004 1 3 Ben Gordon United States[2] University of Connecticut
2004 2 31 Jackson Vroman United States Iowa State University (For Deng)
2004 2 38 Chris Duhon United States Duke University
2003 1 7 Kirk Hinrich United States University of Kansas
2003 2 36 Mario Austin United States Mississippi State University
2003 2 45 Matt Bonner United States University of Florida
2003 2 53 Tommy Smith United States Arizona State University

Not that bad. Cut out the extremely late 2nd round picks, and Paxson and he has an 80% Success Rate.

I personally think Paxson just needs to stay away from players who are High Risk High Rewards. He seems to fail miserably there. Go with players established, hard workers, winners, motivators, system guys, who play defense. He does an excellent job there.

[qianlong]

I personally think Paxson just needs to stay away from players who are High Risk High Rewards. He seems to fail miserably there.

Even that I think is a bit of a stretch. They are called high risk because most of the time they do not pan out. At the same time they are called high reward because the one over plenty that gets right is a home run. 0/2 is not that bad for that kind of player. Thomas maybe was worse because he was a high pick, and at that point, often there is no need to go for the high risk, but james was an acceptable gamble.

[Bulls Forever]

Straight Swap, 29th pick for SUNS medical staff.

Do I hear any Aye?

[DuckIII]

I want the Bulls to move the #29 Pick + Move Gibson and/or Watson and get 1 Pick + unguaranteed deals, then use the MMLE on a PG or PF to replace Gibson and Watson

Moving Gibson for a draft pick and the possibility of a free agent replacement is borderline insanity. Explain yourself sir.