According to Mike McGraw, Aldridge wants the Bulls

[Jimmy Forums]

Where is Boozer if this all goes down? Overpaid back up PF/C? Moved to Toronto or NJ? Amnestied?

Amnestied; opening up cap space for our new shooting guard.

Exactly....getting rose a legit #2 scorer is huge for the Bulls. Aldridge is one of the best pick an roll bigs in the league

And he also liberates us from the Booze Cruise.

[Kingjju4]

Do people on this board seriously think a Rose/Butler/Deng/Boozer/Noah starting 5 with Hinrich + Taj + #20 pick + Nazr + shooters isn't title worthy?? It's the best friggin team the Bulls have had since 98...

I don't disagree with you, but 29 teams right now who didn't win the title should be tweaking their teams to get better. Difference in 91-93 or 96-98 is we were winning titles. This team has proved to be good, but it's obvious we need more firepower.

That's a valid point about re-tooling. I just feel like people on this board fall too in love with making a deal just to make one... the good thing about GarPax is their not going to make a stupid trade that compromises our future. I'm all for making a deal that actually makes us better but it's hard to pry away LMA without making us worse. And I think we have a pretty damn good team already.

Not to mention, although we didn't win the title last year we're adding back a prime D Rose. Combined with Butler's continued development and the returning health of Deng/Noah (hopefully) those are some large changes in themselves.

I understand what you are saying. I'll admit, I'm guilty of proposing trades and dreaming of the possibilities. Realistically speaking though, we have a great team and sometimes the best moves you make are the ones you don't make, so our best move maybe D'Rose coming back next year. Gar/Pax, I'm sure listen to fans among others, but thank god they are level headed and not trigger happy or we would be like the Lakers... Bunch of all-stars with no chemistry and firing decent coaches once every year.

All that being stated, I still believe between this year or next the Bulls will make a move. I think the 2014 plan has merit being that Luol's contract will be up, so 1) I doubt the Bulls will sign Luol to a near max deal like he will want being a 2x all-star 2) We don't want to lose Luol for nothing. That being said... Boozer will most likely be amnestied creating more cap space, but if an opportunity arises like LMA, then the 2014 plan maybe come the 2013 plan through trades... Such as 3) if reports are true LMA wants to be here, the Bulls will go get him. It is great to see what everyone is saying about it all and remember the Bulls (even though not always said) are thinking about more than just this year, but the next 3-5 years.

[red222]

Is Love worth more in pure assets than Aldridge? As a matter of fact besides efficiency is Love a significant upgrade over Aldridge?

[fleet]

I would not trade Noah for Aldridge straight up. Pairing them is the only thing that should be considered. And everyone should be available besides Rose and Noah.

that is reasonable. But also unreasonable is the idea floating around this thread that the Bulls should seriously consider trading Deng, Gibson the Charlotte pick and another 1st rounder for friggin Lamarcus Aldridge. I Like LA, but under no circumstances should the Bulls bend over and take it in the culo for him.

Let's look at the 4 potential outgoing pieces so that you can take a tour through my mind, Fleet.

Deng -- Will probably be leaving the Bulls between draft day & the end of the season.

Gibson -- Taj is one of my favorites, but he is replaceable.

Charlotte pick -- It's value will fluctuate depending on the Bobcats' success. We need to cash it in.

1st rd pick -- It will basically be a 2nd round pick.

Is LMA my ideal "franchise player" to pair with Rose?....Not at all, but his addition makes us a better team, IMO.

the criteria you should be using is the actual value your pieces have, not their value to the Bulls. And basically, the Charlotte pick alone represnts Lamarcus Aldridge himself. Its the compensation for putting up with Tyrus Thomas for a few years, who was aquired for...Lamarcus Aldridge.

You go around making bad impatient deals just to make them, thats bad business, and ultimately you'll regret it. I guarantee you Friday morning GarPax will say something like there were deals we could have made, but we aren't going to make a bad deal just to make a deal. And thats totally good business. When all that is out there are barrels to bend over, politely step away and look for other opportunities down the line to max your assets. They will come. Patience grasshoppers.

[RastaBull]

Curious as to who would be the 'ideal franchise player' to add to Rose? And what would Bulls fans be willing to give up to get that player?

I think many believe KEvin Love to be that "ideal franchise player." For most, in order of untouchables currently on the roster it goes Rose, Noah, Butler, then everything's doable within reason. To get Love, I think some would be willing to part with Butler, but others would still not want to see him let go. Fewer would consider letting Noah go. He might not be "Robin," but I think most will agree he's one of the most unique players in the NBA and that he performs at an extremely high level. I like what someone said about him being a role player "playing 5 roles"...and playing each of those 5 roles as well than any other center practically (passing, rim defense/blocking, hustle plays/energy, orchestrating from the elbow, screening). He's really every coaches dream if you got a legit superstar already and a second reliable scorer (what we're wanting so badly).

[imagge]

I disagree entirely. I don't think this argument's going anywhere, it's hard to argue with someone calling Noah a role player and Aldridge a Robin, they aren't that far apart, period.

Noah's skilset isn't preferred for a #2. Aldridge's skillset is. Would you honestly build a team with Noah as the 2nd option?

I wouldn't build around either of them as second option, which is my point that trading Noah for him makes zero sense. If he was on Bulls they would options 2A and 2B.

You have to actually be able to score to be an offensive option....Noah is scoring challenged

[Red Larrivee]

No, I guess my definition of role player is a player who is an expert in a singular role, and is the reason why he can be in the league. Reggie Evans and Kyle korver are role players, Evans role being flopping and korvers 3 point shooting.

Those are specialists, which I would probably have as a sub-category under a roleplayer.

Noah for his position, is an elite passer, rebounder, defender, and leader. IMO he's pretty much the opposite of a role player. I thnk we just differ on the definition.

If he could do noticeably more offensively, I wouldn't consider him that. I don't think it's diminishing what he does though. We can agree to disagree, but I see Aldridge as someone who has the talent and skill on paper to be a #2 on a title team. I don't think the same about Noah, so that would be my biggest difference.

I wouldn't build around either of them as second option, which is my point that trading Noah for him makes zero sense. If he was on Bulls they would options 2A and 2B.

So Noah, who for his career averages half of what Aldridge does for his career, is an interchangeable #2 scorer on the same team as Aldridge?

Let's try this again.

[Chitownbulls]

LMA length puts him over Kevin Love for me...an LMA is available right now! Who knows if love will even be available.

[TIKIbull]

If it comes down to LMA vs. Love, LMA all day without a 2nd thought. Love is a Korver/Blake griffin waiting to happen in the playoffs.

Plus he has pretty awful defense.

[Unbeata-BULL7]

I don't disagree with you, but 29 teams right now who didn't win the title should be tweaking their teams to get better. Difference in 91-93 or 96-98 is we were winning titles. This team has proved to be good, but it's obvious we need more firepower.

That's a valid point about re-tooling. I just feel like people on this board fall too in love with making a deal just to make one... the good thing about GarPax is their not going to make a stupid trade that compromises our future. I'm all for making a deal that actually makes us better but it's hard to pry away LMA without making us worse. And I think we have a pretty damn good team already.

Not to mention, although we didn't win the title last year we're adding back a prime D Rose. Combined with Butler's continued development and the returning health of Deng/Noah (hopefully) those are some large changes in themselves.

I understand what you are saying. I'll admit, I'm guilty of proposing trades and dreaming of the possibilities. Realistically speaking though, we have a great team and sometimes the best moves you make are the ones you don't make, so our best move maybe D'Rose coming back next year. Gar/Pax, I'm sure listen to fans among others, but thank god they are level headed and not trigger happy or we would be like the Lakers... Bunch of all-stars with no chemistry and firing decent coaches once every year.

All that being stated, I still believe between this year or next the Bulls will make a move. I think the 2014 plan has merit being that Luol's contract will be up, so 1) I doubt the Bulls will sign Luol to a near max deal like he will want being a 2x all-star 2) We don't want to lose Luol for nothing. That being said... Boozer will most likely be amnestied creating more cap space, but if an opportunity arises like LMA, then the 2014 plan maybe come the 2013 plan through trades... Such as 3) if reports are true LMA wants to be here, the Bulls will go get him. It is great to see what everyone is saying about it all and remember the Bulls (even though not always said) are thinking about more than just this year, but the next 3-5 years.

I agree with all of this

[The Bear Jew]

Noah's skilset isn't preferred for a #2. Aldridge's skillset is. Would you honestly build a team with Noah as the 2nd option?

I wouldn't build around either of them as second option, which is my point that trading Noah for him makes zero sense. If he was on Bulls they would options 2A and 2B.

You have to actually be able to score to be an offensive option....Noah is scoring challenged

I didn't mean offensive option I guess a better term would be players 2A and 2B.

[Chitownbulls]

Are we all assuming Asik comes back in this trade? That's the rumor right?

Noah is better than Asik but ill deff think about taking LMA an Asik because LMA is that 2nd option we need

[TIKIbull]

Lets be real. If you're starting a franchise you take LMA over Noah, but for our team and identity, Noah is the guy. If you do go with Aldridge, it's not like you lose. You're good either way.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

Curious as to who would be the 'ideal franchise player' to add to Rose? And what would Bulls fans be willing to give up to get that player?

Since I mentioned "ideal", I figure this post was for me. I'll bite.

My ideal #1A to pair with rose was/is James Harden. A big SG with handles, driving ability, & deadly 3-point range.

My next ideal #1A was/is Kevin Love. A PF that's a double/double machine with deadly 3-point range.

I don't really worry about a player's defensive capabilities because I have full confidence in coach Thibs to either coach the player up or to design a team strategy that keeps the Bulls near the top of the league defensively.

I didn't mention Lebron, Durant, or any other players that were nothing but pipe dreams. I wouldn't be upset about getting LMA, but he was simply never on my radar.

[RastaBull]

Where is Boozer if this all goes down? Overpaid back up PF/C? Moved to Toronto or NJ? Amnestied?

Amnestied; opening up cap space for our new shooting guard.

I still say move Boozer to Nets, Nets give Humphries and Brooks to Bobcats, Bulls get Ben Gordon. Sprinkle picks in if possible to get Charlotte to bite.

[imagge]

Even the Clippers got what they wanted done....Can the Bulls pull this off without giving up Noah? Build the team around Rose (superstar) LMA (offensive all star), and Noah (hustle All-Star)....the Bulls would have the outside,inside and 50/50 plays covered....dominate those 3 areas and teams win championships.

[HomoSapien]

We're never really going to know what Love is capable of until he's put in a position to succeed. So far he hasn't. That said, he's been able to put up numbers like 20 and 15 over the coarse of an entire season. Those are just ungodly numbers. It's so rare in the modern NBA to find guys who can really puts up those type of stats.

A lot of people argue that those are empty stats, but I don't really buy that.

[Chitownbulls]

Noah- 12ppg 11reb this year

Asik 10ppg 11reb 2blks?

Then add in LMA....that's something you have to think about! I can see Omer now, running down the court with his thumbs up! Asik also played in the fastest tempo offense this year. Guy is in good shape.

[Kingjju4]

Are we all assuming Asik comes back in this trade? That's the rumor right?

Noah is better than Asik but ill deff think about taking LMA an Asik because LMA is that 2nd option we need

Hey we use to have Luc Longley... Asik, starting can work us a few titles!

[LobosJordan]

I would not trade Noah for Aldridge straight up. Pairing them is the only thing that should be considered. And everyone should be available besides Rose and Noah.

that is reasonable. But also unreasonable is the idea floating around this thread that the Bulls should seriously consider trading Deng, Gibson the Charlotte pick and another 1st rounder for friggin Lamarcus Aldridge. I Like LA, but under no circumstances should the Bulls bend over and take it in the culo for him.

Good trade. Bulls would be fools not to do it.