Can we afford this deal with CHI?

[parson]

Zaza, Speedy and Bibby for Hughes, Noah and Hinrich.

CHI needs to clear space for Rose and Gordon. Hughes is almost untradeable, so we're helping them out there and Zaza + Bibby gives them almost $18 million of cap space at the end of next year.

Adding up the positives of the friendly contracts we're giving and the negative contracts they're getting rid of, the deal's close.

BUT, can we afford to re-sign our own players if we did this deal?

[mattlanta]

Hinrich / Law
Johnson / Hughes
Marvin / ???
Smith / Jones
Horford / Noah

Not bad, but Noah might cry.

[mattlanta]

I don't know why they'd add Speedy though. Just another salary cap virus.

[Rip2137]

Noah? please. Hughes would cry. And bitch. And moan.

[parson]

I don't know why they'd add Speedy though. Just another salary cap virus.

I couldn't do the deal without Speedy. That's the only reason he's in there.

Still, there is the hope of his retiring...

... and the Bulls do save $18 million right away. Compared to the contractual obligations they have right now, they would save much, much more.

[evildallas]

It would require the ASG to willingly exceed the luxury tax in 2009 or it will require letting Marvin to walk. Hughes expiring deal next year could be useful in trade though.

The way you do it without Speedy is to S&T Childress as part of the deal although I'm not sure that Chicago would be interested either way because they wouldn't want to ship Noah out. There has to be easier ways to get Hinrich into the fold.

Hinrich/Thomas (rumored to be shopped heavily)
for
Bibby/Zaza
gives them a huge salary dump. Of course, we'd need to replace Zaza in free agency or by S&T of Childress. No guarantee that can be done.

Another thought
Hinrich/Nocioni
for
Bibby and S&T Childress (approx. MLE level or just above).

Nocioni has a different skill set than Childress (3 pt shooting) and adds another veteran presence to the roster.

To be honest, I'm not crazy about any of these deals, just trying to play devil's advocate.

[conleyorbust]

I think the short answer is "no".

You look at how badly we are handicapped by Speedy's contract, Hughes is like one of those Hannibal Lecter straight jackets.

[Tommy Udo 6]

Actually Bulls do NOT need to clear cap space. They have enough to sign both Deng & Gordon to REASONABLE contracts

However, Hinrich & Hughes are definitely available - and Gordon too if he cant reach a deal. Bulls almost certainly will trade one of their guards

[evildallas]

Actually Bulls do NOT need to clear cap space. They have enough to sign both Deng & Gordon to REASONABLE contracts

However, Hinrich & Hughes are definitely available - and Gordon too if he cant reach a deal. Bulls almost certainly will trade one of their guards

It isn't to getting you cap space this year. It is just logical that you don't want to pay Hinrich so much to back up Rose and Hughes is just way overpaid period. The salary dump aspect that I mentioned in my comment isn't by necessity it is so that you gain the freedom to build the team better or maybe add a key piece. Having backups pull down 10 M(Hinrich) and 8M (Nocioni) doesn't work so well when you are paying Deng (new deal), Gordon (new deal), Gooden (7M) and Hughes (13M). It does help that Rose, Thomas, Noah, and Thabo are on rookie deals but those don't last forever. Even if you S&T Gordon you will be bringing contract back.

I don't think we are good trading partners though, nor do I think you free cap space. I think you rearrange players and Hinrich could be headed to Denver for either Martin or Nene.