Does adding Ben Wallace make the Raptors contenders?

[MacDaddy]

Regardless of the Cap implications, what I really want to know is what you guys think of Ben Wallace on the team.

It seems like most Bulls fans are willing to ship him out for merely expiring contracts. That's almost nothing for a player that plays in a way that we need in a bad way. A rebounder, and a big body to detract players from driving in the lane.

I find with out team mostly a jump shooting team, Ben Wallace could be huge for our team. With so many shots being fired wouldn't it would be nice to have a rebounding monster underneath the basket? Granted he is not what he used to be, but with the Raptors eyeing a spot in the playoffs, wouldn't it be nice to have Big Ben?

Goodness gracious no.

[Greg Stink]

i've been watching some chicago games, and it's obvious ben simply can't play next to tyrus or noah. no kidding, i know. but ben doesn't look that bad, he just doesn't fit. he doesn't look great, but no that bad. i could live with him, i think he'd be a much better fit here. and don't you think he'd respect sam?

of course, the only way you take his deal is if you take one of their youngest or a 1st, without losing a major piece.

paxson would have to be willing to get fleeced to get rid of his deal, like phoenix did with kurt thomas.

chicago might do it to save the ~$20 million and get a character guy like rasho around the remaining youth.

any/all of

rasho
humphries
joey
dixon
maceo

for ben and one of, in order of preference:

noah
gray
tyrus
thabo (take out the hump)
1st (take out the hump)

i don't mind overpaying ben if we get a rookie deal as well.

not sure we'd be contenders, but we'd be better.

[saham]

NO

[El Presidente]

Regardless of the Cap implications, what I really want to know is what you guys think of Ben Wallace on the team.

It seems like most Bulls fans are willing to ship him out for merely expiring contracts. That's almost nothing for a player that plays in a way that we need in a bad way. A rebounder, and a big body to detract players from driving in the lane.

I find with out team mostly a jump shooting team, Ben Wallace could be huge for our team. With so many shots being fired wouldn't it would be nice to have a rebounding monster underneath the basket? Granted he is not what he used to be, but with the Raptors eyeing a spot in the playoffs, wouldn't it be nice to have Big Ben?

Wallace of 3 years ago, maaayybe. Wallace of today, no. He's not the player he used to be, even if you've just watched the Bulls/Raptors games this year you'll know he's not even close to being the answer.

I don't think adding just a rebounder will make us "contenders". We'll be a better team with him but a contender is someone who has a good chance of reaching the NBA Finals and we won't be going there with or without him.

[from24ft]

He isn't as bad as people make him out to be. What is bad is his contract.

[The Letter V]

I know he has regressed, but he is still averaging 1.6 blocks per game and 8.6 rebounds per game, of which 3.6 are offensive rebounds. He has regressed, but Hump isn't better than him in those categories, which we need the most help (interior defense and rebounding).

Plus the fact that he becomes a huge expiring deal the year when Bosh's deal is also up opens up alot of possibilities....like what Orlando attempted to do a couple of years ago, when they tried to sign T-Mac, Grant Hill and Tim Duncan to try and put together a super team. With guys like Wade, LeBron and others set to be free agents, it wouldn't hurt to try...especially if the asking price is only Nesterovic.

[thecc]

Ben Wallace five years ago = great player.

Ben Wallace today = teh suck.

[KingClutch]

Did it make the Bulls contenders?

[pierrot]

Ben's game has declined a lot over the last couple of years, but he's still way better than Humphries.

However, he's not a good fit for this team, plus he comes with a bad contract and a worse attitude. He's definitely not enough to make us a contender on his own.

[unicron5]

Ben Wallace

for

Rasho Nesterovic
Jason Kapono

Works under the cap if Chicago wants to be rid of his contract and attitude.

I think we should do it. Physically is there anything that stops him from getting 10-11 rpg on the Raps? I'm gonna say no. The guy is still built like a freaking tank.

If TJ comes back and Bargnani can ever get his confidence back, yes that team is a contender in the East, because the East sucks that much.

Plus while Wallace's contract may be hefty, there's only 2 years remaining on it after this one. I'd say that's acceptable. It's not too long.

[rdtx2005]

I think we should do it. Physically is there anything that stops him from getting 10-11 rpg on the Raps? I'm gonna say no. The guy is still built like a freaking tank.

age..

he is averaging 5 and 9 this year.

have you even seen him play recently? he is a black hole.

[unicron5]

Has he lost his hops though? Can he physically not grab rebounds anymore? Certainly he is still as strong as a mofo.

His body type should still be good for a couple more years.

Or is the situation in Chicago more that he just doesn't fit well with that team/has grown disgruntled?

For Rasho + Kapono ... why not. I'd do it. His contract length isn't that terrible either (only 2 years after this one).

Rasho has 1 year remaining after this one, Kapono 3.

Why not. It's not like Rasho + Kapono are taking us out of the 1st round either. This is risky, but if turns out he really can still attack the glass ... we win, and we win big because I think Bargnani's offense will come around eventually.