'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 42

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Ben Gordon says Bulls never made offer
A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority. "I mean they didn't pursue me at all. They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race," Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago. Gordon agreed to a five-year deal worth $50-plus million with the Pistons on Wednesday after leading the Bulls in scoring the past four seasons. Under league rules, that deal can't be announced until next week. Gordon and the Bulls had tried to negotiate long-term deals the past two years. He wound up accepting a one-year tender offer last year and enjoyed one of his best seasons, averaging 20.7 points, and tied a career-high by shooting 45.5 percent while leading the Bulls to the playoffs.

Once he hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, the Pistons quickly jumped. The Bulls? "I just told you there was no offer made," Gordon said in the interview. "So you guys can put it together. I'm happy about my new situation now. I'm looking forward to it." Forman declined comment on Thursday. He said when he was promoted to GM in May that the Bulls wanted to keep Gordon, but that would have probably meant paying the luxury tax and sacrificing cap space they could have next summer. It also would have meant a crowd in the backcourt. The Bulls are near the projected $69 million luxury tax threshold, meaning they would pay a dollar-for-dollar penalty if they exceed that. They would also forfeit the approximately $3.5 million rebate for teams under the threshold. They also have about $25 million in expiring contracts, so they could be major players in free agency or near the trade deadline, if they don't make a deal sooner.

Of course, the big trade the Bulls made last winter and now a commitment to defense also made the sharp-shooting Gordon expendable. The arrival of John Salmons with Brad Miller in the trade with Sacramento gave the Bulls another scorer and more height in the backcourt while sparking the playoff run. The Bulls also said in recent weeks that they were committing to defense - a hint that they were ready to let Gordon go rather than sign him and trade Kirk Hinrich. "I'm happy about the situation I'm going to," Gordon said. "I think (Pistons president for basketball operations) Joe Dumars is really focused on winning, and his priority is winning a championship so that's definitely my main goal as a pro player. So I'm happy about that." The Pistons hope to have a replacement for the fired Michael Curry in place next week. Gordon gave a lukewarm evaluation of Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro, saying he "has a lot of room for improvement" after just one season on a bench. "He seemed like he had a willingness to learn and try and get better," Gordon said. "I never had any problems with him or disliked him."

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Gordon Only Had the One Offer
The first surprise about Ben Gordon's agreed-upon deal with the Detroit Pistons is that it could be worth upwards of $60 million over five years, not necessarily the $55 million that was being reported on Wednesday.

Surprise number two came in the form of Chicago's never having offered Gordon any kind of contract whatsoever, which played a huge part in him accepting the Pistons deal so quickly."They didn't pursue me at all," Gordon told a Chicago-based ESPN radio affiliate Thursday morning. "They didn't even make an offer, so it was pretty much a one-man race."

At the draft Bulls GM Gar Foreman made a big song and dance about how keeping Gordon was the team's first priority this summer, yet they made absolutely zero offer to the guy? Maybe upon hearing how much Detroit was offering Gordon they just backed up and gave Joe Dumars a "Too-Rich-For-My-Blood" sort of look. Perhaps this is Detroit's karmic way of retaliation for the Ben Wallace deal four summer ago?

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Rasheed Wallace is a Hot Commodity
The San Antonio Express-News is reporting that the Spurs did in fact call the agent for Rasheed Wallace as soon as the deadline to do so expired. While some have said the Spurs might not pursue 'Sheed as heavily having fallen into DaJuan Blair on draft night, this makes it very clear that the Spurs are still looking for a veteran big man to run alongside Tim Duncan. Because Wallace can play the five, that even allows Duncan to remain at the four, making him a more than desirable option for them. Imagine a line up of Duncan and Wallace supplemented by Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Richard Jefferson? That's more than formidable.

Still, the Boston Celtics seem to be the frontrunner for Wallace's services at the moment, as Kevin Garnett is reportedly in the ear of Wallace even more often than the team is in the ear of his agent. Likely fearful of losing Glen Davis and knowing how foul trouble and injuries often crippled them in the playoffs, Boston certainly needs the frontcourt depth—at least as much as San Antonio and maybe even more.

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Argie Grigorakos in Toronto, Onatario, Canada:
Hey Joel, I think its a sad day in Bulls History with BG leaving. Anyway, do you have any details about why it seem that BG didn't even talk to the Bulls? why did he sign so quickly with the pistons?

Joel Brigham:
Any-hoo, onto the BG stuff, which is definitely worth addressing. Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago this morning that the Bulls never even made him an offer. On the one hand, this sounds like the Bulls could care less, but on the other hand Gordon spoke to Detroit first, likely to get leverage in Bulls negotiations, and when Gar Foreman heard the deal was worth between $55 and $60 million for five years, he had to let it go. BG was one of my favorite guys in that locker room because he's such a bright guy. Doesn't just spit out boring cliche answers... really thinks about them and answers them. So yeah, I'll miss having him around, but the Bulls just couldn't spend that kind of money on a guy who's too short and doesn't play D.

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Will in Orlando:
Why hasn't Orlando already offered Rasheed the MLE,he's the missing piece to a championship?

Joel Brigham:
Because Dwight doesn't want Rasheed. He has no problem with the guy personally or anything, but Dwight wants more touches next season and Sheed doesn't help make that happen. If anything, bringing in Wallace just gives them another offensive presence on the floor who's going to need the ball. Howard was upset enough about Vince coming in and requiring the number of shots he requires (Personally, I think Vince will be a much better teammate and ball-sharer than the mass media gives him credit for, but that's another story), so to him, bringing in Wallace doesn't make a lot of sense. Orlando wants to keep their superstud happy, so that's the end of that story I think.

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justin in cali:
could the Charlotte bobcats pull off a more successful season than last if they resign felton and sign AI and Marbury?

Joel Brigham:
Are you really suggesting it would be a good idea to sign Allen Iverson AND Stephon Marbury? That's a backcourt made in coaching hell, isn't it?

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Go Pistons in :
Hate to rub it in but... BEN GORDON IS A PISTON!!! A LITTLE KARMA 4 STEALING BIG BEN IN '06

Joel Brigham:
I actually said that very thing in my Free Agency roundup this afternoon, but I'll just remind you--keep in mind how well that Big Ben signing worked out for Chicago...I'm just sayin', if we're talking karma try to remember that it doesn't end when Little Ben signs his name to the paper...

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michael in vladivostok:
Shouldn't the Pistons sign players that can guard other players?? No point scoring 120ppg if the opp score 121ppg. And what next for them? They have to trade Rip now don't they?

Joel Brigham:
Yeah, I don't get it. I really don't. It has nothing to do with being bitter about Ben leaving because I really do think it's the best thing for Chicago. It's about spending between $11 and 12 million per season on a guy that does all the same things as your most promising youngster. AND you've got Rip Hamilton? Gordon himself says he expects to be a sixth man. Why the hell do you pay a sixth man that kind of money??? It makes no sense to me, unless they trade Rip. Then can play Stuckey at the 1 and BG at the 2. If you trade Prince and try to play Rip at the 3, he's going to get demolished by LeBron and Paul Pierce and just about every other affable three in the league. We'll see, but there's got to be more moves down the road. Also, none of these guys play defense. Just thought I'd throw that in there, too.

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Jesse in Philippines:
I think with a healthy oden blazers are more threat to upend lakers than spurs. Yoir thoughts?

Joel Brigham:
Not if the Spurs end up with Rasheed Wallace. That team, if healthy, is scary. Look at this lineup: Parker-Ginobili-Jefferson-Duncan-Sheed. Good Lord that's ridiculous. I dig the Blazers and everything, but the whole "If Oden Is Healthy" thing is getting old. It's been two seasons and he's clearly not healthy. Seeing what's going on with Yao, Oden scares the crap out of me, quite frankly. I like the Spurs, and that has a lot to do with DeJuan Blair.

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Jeff in Pistons fan in Boston:
Do think the Pistons could trade Rip for Elton Brand or maybe Tyson Chandler? I think with Chandler you could put a big, young defensive center next to CV and have a pretty decent front court.

Joel Brigham:
Not sure what the numbers would amount to, but I like Rip for Tyson. New Orleans needs some help at shooting guard and want to offload Chandler, and Detroit needs a center and REALLY needs someone who can play defense. I dig it. Don't know if it'd happen, but I dig it.

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Xi in China:
Hi, Jason. How do you think Gordon's rumor, and should he take the chance to Pistons? If Pistons really get Gordan and Villaneuva, will Magic and Cavaliers be scared? Thanks heaps

Jason Fleming:
Welcome China! It's not a rumor - Gordon will be going to the Pistons. Do I think that scares Orlando and Cleveland? Not in the least... Both players are good, but not stars.

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aero in :
Spurs plans? FREEAGENTS glen davis,brandon bass,birdman,rasheed wallace,david lee,marcin gortat,antonio mcdysse keep gooden or TRADE tyrus thomas for matt bonner ian mahinmi marcus camby for matt bonner roger mason michael finley

Jason Fleming:
Those trade ideas are a little delusional my man... If the Spurs do anything else I see them spending the MLE on a big man like McDyess or maybe even Sheed if he's not convinced by Boston. Glen Davis will be too rich - Boston would match a MLE offer anyway.

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Marvin in Mars:
What up Jason! I believe Rip will be traded since BG's arrival and is owed 11m/yr. Who do you think is a good swap for Rip? and who do you think is likely to bait him?

Jason Fleming:
I think getting a big man for Rip is a must. Carlos Boozer COULD be a possibility if the Jazz want to take Rip's deal. Tyson Chandler probably isn't because the Hornets don't want Rip's $50 mil he is owed. Really want to cut costs? How about Ben Wallace? J Rich could slide to the three. Still, it's going to be extremely hard to move Rip - $50 million deters just about everyone.

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anthony in chicago, illinois:
Do you think there will be a tampering investigation on the Ben Gordon 11 million dollar guarantee between his agent and Detroit a week before free agency ?

Jason Fleming:
I doubt it...I think that got overblown.

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tyrone in detroit:
What is detroit gonna do with gorden, bring him off the bench? Do they really plan on playing gorden, stuckey, and hamilton at the same time? Seems like there is gonna be an odd man out or they are paying way too much for a sixth man

Jason Fleming:
I agree, though I'm coming around to the Rip at the 3 idea. Either Rip or Tay will have to go though. However, that's probably something the new coach will probably have a say in deciding.

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H AKA huge nuggz fan in MIA:
If the nuggets trade their trade exemption along with the expiring contracts of balkman and hunter to detroit for a Sign and Trade for rasheed wallace, it could work right?

Jason Fleming:
You cannot combine an exception with players in a trade. However, in that scenario, they could trade Balkman and Hunter for a S&T Wallace. But why would Denver want Sheed?

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Robert in Miami:
If you were Miami, would you sign Allen Iverson? I think Iverson and Wade along with beasley can make some noise. Your thoughts...

Jason Fleming:
It would be interesting. Only if it was a one-year deal. I thought Chalmers did a pretty good job as a rookie though.

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Mark in Portland:
Feels like I'm the only Blazer fan who likes the Hedo signing. Jason Quick says Portland will focus on backup PF after Hedo gets signed. Who does Portland go after?
Jason Fleming:

Jason Fleming:
A name I came up with the other day is Juwan Howard - a veteran who can score, who would be okay with about 15 minutes or so a night. McDyess is another name, but he might want a slightly bigger role. I think people - myself included - will come around to the Hedo signing. It's just a lot of money, and it's something a lot of people can't picture working well. Unfortunately, you don't get to try it out before you commit the cash. Not going after Miller as well is a good idea.

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jason in michigan:
any more news out of detroits camp...avery johnson? and what would u do if u were dumars, ur next step is?

Jason Fleming:
Get a coach, has to be get a coach. Let that coach decide if the next move is to trade Tay or Rip. Nothing on Avery yet, but Dumars plans to have the search done next week, so stuff will start happening soon.

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jason in michigan:
any more news out of detroits camp...avery johnson? and what would u do if u were dumars, ur next step is?

Jason Fleming:
Get a coach, has to be get a coach. Let that coach decide if the next move is to trade Tay or Rip. Nothing on Avery yet, but Dumars plans to have the search done next week, so stuff will start happening soon.