Smith is slotted to take the place of P.J. Brown to start alongside Ben Wallace and Luol Deng in a frontcourt that suddenly is loaded with reserves Andres Nocioni, Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah.
Smith averaged 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in 65 games with the Nuggets and 76ers last season. 76ers general manager Billy King had called re-signing Smith an off-season priority.
But the Bulls wooed Smith with a possible starting role and a serious approach that stressed the opportunity to play a prominent role in a winnable Eastern Conference next season. A face-to-face meeting at the Berto Center with Paxson and coach Scott Skiles that took place earlier this month was said to have made a strong impression.
Smith, a former No. 1 overall pick of the Warriors, has averaged 12.1 points and seven rebounds in 12 NBA seasons with six teams.
He is a 45.4 percent career shooter and still is considered a strong midrange shooter and classy veteran who should fit seamlessly into the Bulls' system.
The 76ers lost out on their top off-season priority Friday night, with free-agent forward Joe Smith agreeing to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Chicago Bulls.
"Philly really couldn't come up with the same package," said Dan Fegan, Smith's agent. "We tried. I really like both of those groups. We wouldn't have sent him to another team if the dollars were the same."
The Sixers' best offer was a three-year deal for $10 million.
IMO, a great signing by John Paxson. Really solidifies the front-court very well.
Re: Chicago Bulls sign Joe Smith (2 years, 10 mil)
Solid move. Can't really go wrong at 2 years, with $5 mill per. Joe Smith is a decent player. He's not really great at any one thing, but he shores up some issues at PF the Bulls had.
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Re: Chicago Bulls sign Joe Smith (2 years, 10 mil)
I have a feeling that Bulls just keep improving steadily. Although come to think about it they could of have Brand and Curry or Curry and Chandler, that would of fixed their problem in the low post...
I think this signing still makes them better without trading anything. I don't expect bulls to trade much. It's essentially their full MLE, not bad and it is only for 2 years. What other PF can they sign this summer? I don't think they would of been getting anybody else.
Re: Chicago Bulls sign Joe Smith (2 years, 10 mil)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Seuss
So, to improve on their lack of a post game, they sign another jumpshooting forward?
Nice.....
Yeah, because we know Phoenix is so strong inside.
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Re: Chicago Bulls sign Joe Smith (2 years, 10 mil)
Quote:
Originally Posted by MLKG
He's not as good as PJ Brown.
They really told him he has a chance to start? I'd be surprised if he even plays.
Joe Smith is DEFINITELY better than PJ Brown. I think your a Pistons fan though, and the only good basketball that he played all year, was against the Pistons in the playoffs. He was slow and horrible on defense for the majority of the year, and his shooting percentage was atrocious.
I think Joe Smith will get a good 18 MPG, but I think he'll be coming off the bench behind Tyrus.
Re: Chicago Bulls sign Joe Smith (2 years, 10 mil)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prolific Scorer
Yeah, because we know Phoenix is so strong inside.
I hate to do this because you're a Magic fan, but what does that have to do with this thread? Absolutley nothing. Posts like this bring the board down. You're just looking to piss people off, and that contributes nothing.
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Chicago Bulls sign Joe Smith (2 years, 10 mil)
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