[SALO]

With the opening of free-agency signings just four days away, the Bulls have picked up the pace in their pursuit of power forward-center Scott Williams, a member of their first three-peat championship teams.

Williams' agent, Arn Tellem, and Bulls general manager Jerry Krause have had ongoing discussions in the last two weeks.

Williams is seeking a two-year deal, but he'd have to pass a battery of medical exams to get one.

Last season the 12-year NBA veteran was limited to 41 games because of a strained lower back, which he said is no longer a problem.

Another option, who would require no introduction for the Bulls, is power forward Michael Ruffin, who spent two seasons in Chicago before being released last fall.

Otherwise, Keon Clark and Popeye Jones remain the two prime options in the rather lean free-agent market.

Clark, 27, said he'd prefer to re-sign with Toronto, but because of the salary cap and the luxury tax, the Raptors are among many teams that have severe financial limitations.

As a result, Clark, a Danville native, may have to settle for the $4.7 million midlevel exception elsewhere. "Even though it's not something we really want to do, Keon is going to have to start visiting other cities fairly soon," his agent, Jim Mourer, said.

The Bulls are among at least a half-dozen teams that have inquired about Jones, 32, who played for Washington last season.

Krause also had recent discussions with Orlando about a deal that would send power forward Marcus Fizer to the Magic in return for swingman Mike Miller.

For the complete article, go here ...

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dssports/pro/122sd4.htm



- If it's likely Keon Clark will have to settle for the 4.7 million exception, why don't we jump in and make an offer for him? It would make sense to sign him to say a 3 year deal with a team option after the 1st and player option on 3rd years. Something like that, so Clark can still cash in on free agency again and leave just in time Curry and Chandler seriously start getting 40 plus minutes a game.

He would still get plenty of playing time here as it's my opinion Eddy Curry will still be a foul machine this year and probably next year too. And like it or not there will be stretches during the season where our big men are either injured, in foul trouble, or just playing like crap. It makes even more sense when you factor in Clark is from Chicago and said it would definitely be something to consider in an interview last year.

We could still use the $ 1.4 million exception on Scott Williams, and sign & trade Travis Best for yet another addition ( Harpring, McCarty , big man, etc. )

 

[BCH]

Here is a crazy thought.

Keon might have a better option than playing on a 3 year deal with only one guaranteed. I am not sure why he would consider a contract like that in the least when he could get a 3 year guaranteed deal and if he pans out, sign an extension, and if he doesn't he still has 2 more years of guarateed money.

 

[Dan Rosenbaum]

Why are we ignoring Keon?

Thanks a lot for pointing out this article, SALO.

It is a little strange that we are ignoring Keon, but I think there are some questions about his work ethic. But he would would give us high quality minutes at PF/C. If we added Williams as well, we would be very deep up front.

I suspect we would need to find a good home for Fizer before we would offer a contract to Keon. (I am a big fan of the Fizer for Miller swap. Pau Gasol may be the only guy younger than Mike Miller who has been more productive so far in the NBA. Do the same for Fizer and you probably come up with a couple dozen players.) Since Keon is a restricted free agent, making an offer to him would tie us up for 15 days while we waited for what Toronto would do. We could lose the opportunity to go after Popeye and others in the meantime. That could be a huge problem since without Fizer, we only have Baxter/Bagaric to back-up Chandler/Curry.

It was interesting to hear that Krause was having discussions about the Fizer/Miller swap, since I think that is the first time we have heard that this was anything more that Insider speculation.

 

[SALO]

Re: Why are we ignoring Keon?

NC : As a fan I am hoping we go after Clark. I think it would be a good fit. My gut tells me though that the reasons Krause isn't interested are ...

1) I think Clark had a marijuana problem a few years back, and Krause wouldn't touch him even if Clark WANTED to come here.

2) Krause wants "older" free agents this year.

BCH : I'm assuming Clark is not going to stay in Toronto. If he does he can get more than the exception. So should he leave that would mean he's actually willing to take LESS to sign with someone else. The X-Factor is of course the old sign & trade route. (but can teams do that with restricted free agents ? , I'm not sure on this one).

And the terms of the deal we would offer is just something I threw out there. I'd be just as happy offering a 5 year deal with no out clauses. Clark could easily be traded if he was no longer happy after a year or two. His type of contract would be very movable. My hope is we'd be a young, exciting playoff team and Clark would be happy playing here for a winner in his hometown.

All I'm saying is I hope we make him an offer. He could make more money staying in Toronto, or get more playing time with a team such as New York. (I read he's good friends with McDyess too). He has a lot of options, and I would like Chicago to be one of them, but apparently Krause isn't interested for whatever reason/s.

 

[BCH]

I just see a lot of people throw out the second year TO clause a lot. For a guy like Larry Hughes knock yourself out with this type of hypothetical. For Keon Clark it makes no sense. I am guessing he will sign for slightly over the mid-level for TO or he signs for the mid-level somewhere else. I personally think he is worth more than $5M per season but TO blew their wad on JYD and Alvin. That was foolish of them IMO.