[HJHJR]

During halftime of last night's Lakers/Kings game, Peter Vecsey reported that the Rockets seem intent on drafting Ming, provided the issue of how much of Yao's salary belongs to China is settled to everyone's satisfaction by draft day.

On Sunday in his column, Sam Smith stated that everything still points towards Houston picking Ming and the Bulls selecting Jay Williams. I suspect that perhaps the rumors of a Clippers/Rockets deal that included Odom, Maggette and picks were either proven to be unsubstantiated or wildly overstated. I also think that Mobley's unsolicited remarks about prefering Odom over Ming may have put the Rockets in an awkward position of reafirming to the public exactly who is in control of that franchise, and it certainly isn't the players.

Of greater interest was Smith's statement that both Andre Miller and Baron Davis would favor relocating to the Clippers. The Bulls have been interested in both players for some time now, though I hear that of the two, the Bulls favor Davis. If it turns out that the Hornets would favor a straight trade of Davis for Williams, you'd probably see Krause pull the trigger on that one. However, given Davis' interest in the West Coast, he'd better have a committment from Davis to sign a long term extension. If not, the best course of action may very well be to hang on to Jay Williams and seek veteran help elsewhere.

 

[Songcycle]

It is somewhat disheartening to read that Miller and Davis want to go the Clips. Davis is the one who really interests me as he performed as a real champion in the playoffs. I still have very serious doubts that the Clips will commit enough money to win or ever venture over the salary cap.
I was hoping at this point that the perception about about the Bulls around the league was improving more than it has, though I do understand that the idea of playing for a young developing team like the Clips would seem exciting. I don't know that Sterling would would pay them the max.
Dickies idea about getting Bibby is enticing, but I haven't read any rumors about the possibility.
If we draft JWill and keep him, you won't hear any complaints from me.

 

[Chops]

I would think that we could get Baron to sign with us long-term if a trade did go down. His best friend is Eddie Robinson, who he begged to return to the Hornets. He has spent time with JC and likes his game. He also knows TC from his old California days.

However, it is not surprising that he would want to move back to LA. He played college ball there and playing at home is a big factor for most players.

If we could somehow get Baron, I would be all for it....

 

[MyBallsStillHurt]

Originally posted by KiDcRaWfOrD
I would think that we could get Baron to sign with us long-term if a trade did go down. His best friend is Eddie Robinson, who he begged to return to the Hornets. He has spent time with JC and likes his game. He also knows TC from his old California days.

However, it is not surprising that he would want to move back to LA. He played college ball there and playing at home is a big factor for most players.

If we could somehow get Baron, I would be all for it....

KidCrawford is exactly right -- the reason Baron (and Andre Miller) have expressed that they wouldn't mind playing for the Clippers someday in the near future is because LA is home for both -- I don't think their willingness to don the Clips uniform is intended as a knock against any other team -- Bulls included -- rather it's just thinking out loud about liking the idea of playing at home.

As for Kid's remarks regarding Baron's friendships with both ERob and JC, again, he's on the money. Baron has spoken publicly that he's high on both ERob and JC and that he considers both players to not only be outstanding talents, but good friends too. I'm confident in my belief that if the Bulls are able to pull off a deal bringing Baron Davis to the Windy City, he would be more than happy to sign an extended contract and the Bulls would be more than willing to offer him the max.:yes:

 

[Maestro]

I'd do that in a New York minute.

Just imagine the line-ups.

First unit:

1) Baron Davis
2) Jamal Crawford
3) Jalen Rose
4) Tyson Chandler
5) Eddy Curry


Second unit:

1)Travis Best(resigned)/or 2nd rd pick/or FA
2)Trenton Hassell
3)Eddie Robinson/or 2nd rd pick/or FA
4)Marcus Fizer/or 2nd rd pick/or FA
5)Dalibor Bagaric/or 2nd rd pick/or FA


The sucess of the first unit depends on the development of the three C's. With above normal growth of game from all three I could easily see us the 8 seed next year.

With the 2nd unit I did not mean to express that the Bulls have money to obtain that many FAgent simply the fact that I have no idea what Krause may do with the options that he has.

 

[dkg1]

Originally posted by Maestro
I'd do that in a New York minute.

Just imagine the line-ups.

First unit:

1) Baron Davis
2) Jamal Crawford
3) Jalen Rose
4) Tyson Chandler
5) Eddy Curry


Second unit:

1)Travis Best(resigned)/or 2nd rd pick/or FA
2)Trenton Hassell
3)Eddie Robinson/or 2nd rd pick/or FA
4)Marcus Fizer/or 2nd rd pick/or FA
5)Dalibor Bagaric/or 2nd rd pick/or FA


The sucess of the first unit depends on the development of the three C's. With above normal growth of game from all three I could easily see us the 8 seed next year.

With the 2nd unit I did not mean to express that the Bulls have money to obtain that many FAgent simply the fact that I have no idea what Krause may do with the options that he has.

So based on your lineups, you feel we can get Davis for #2, straight up?

 

[Chops]

IMO, we would have to do something like this:

Fizer, #2
for
Davis, #17


The Hornets get a young stud up front for the future and a young PG to go with a new city. For the Bulls, it is obvious what we get....

 

[truebluefan]

i would jump for joy (if i could still jump) if we traded for davis and still kept most of our unit in place. What a difference one man can make! Kidd at NJ(also they got healthy. We need to get healthy also) Bibby at sacremento. If mike wasnt there, they might not of made it past the first wound. However its up to Davis. After his performance in the playoffs, if i was New Orleans i would do all i could to keep him there.

 

[willieblack]

To answer dkg1's question flat out, yeah, from what I've read and heard it's not "completely" out of the question for the Hornets to trade Davis for JWill straight up. Now, wether that makes much sense to you or me is besides the point...just look at some of the moves that organization has made with regards to their star players over the term of their exsistence.

 

[HJHJR]

Starting 7/1 the Hornets can begin negotiations with Davis for a long term contract extension. The new contract would kick in at the beginning of the 2003 season. We all know that Baron is going to want a max contract. Schinn's track record suggests he'll trade a player before he'll commit to a long term max contract.

Its also very possible that the Hornets may be in a complete rebuilding mode by 2003, which I'm sure won't excite Davis too much. This summer they may lose Traylor and Nailon to free agency. Next season Campbell and Brown become unrestricted free agents. And if Davis doesn't sign an extension this summer, he becomes a restricted free agent next season.

Swapping Davis for Jay Williams will provide the Hornets with a lot more cap room in '03 to sign free agents. And a core group of Williams, Wesley, Magloire, Lynch, and Mashburn should put them in a position to compete for a Tim Duncan or Jermaine O'Neal. Brad Miller, Elton Brand and their own PJ Brown and Eldon Campbell might be free agent options as well.

As you can see, there will be a strong temptation for the Hornets to grab what many consider the best player in the draft while at the same time free up an additional $8 million in cap space in '03 so they can completely retool their front line with a top tier free agent or two.

For the Hornets, this is an Elton Brand/Tyson Chandler type of opportunity. They're trading players of the same position. They're avoiding a chance that they may lose their own player to free agency. They're also creating over $8 million in '03 cap space which is approximately the difference between Williams' rookie salary and Davis' max extension. In fact, the Hornets are actually better off than the Bulls were last June because they're trading for a player who's proved himself at the highest amateur level while the Bulls took a gamble with a gifted, but unproven high school player.

The deal works for both teams. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see it go down on draft day.

 

[MyBallsStillHurt]

Hey Guys -

From what I understand, all options are on the table. The possibly of obtaining Baron Davis, or Andre Miller or keeping Jay Williams is a very hot topic of discussion up at Berto. There have been no "formal" discussions regarding either player with New Orleans and Cleveland, respectively, however, calls have been made and conversations held to see if the possibility is worth exploring. Once again, HJHJR has hit the nail on the head regarding New Orleans' willingness to discuss a deal for Davis involving the rights to Jay Williams.

As for the possibility of also obtaining PJ Brown from the Hornets, that also has been discussed. He is held in high esteem up at Berto. Many up there think he would be a perfect fit for our ballclub. The problem is, the Hornets also like the guy a great deal. So, it may prove tough to get him, but nothing's impossible.

Other FA vets up for discussion include Malik Rose of the Spurs and Popeye Jones of the Wizards. Scott Williams has also been talked about, but there is a real worry that his body may be too broken down to help.

 

[truebluefan]

thanks hjh and mbsh for the heads up. I have felt up till now that getting davis would not be possible. But when presented that way by both of you i can see the reasoning. I wouldnt mind Brown either. His defense has always been steady.

 

[Songcycle]

Thanks for the posts HJ and MBH, the thought of Baron Davis, only 23 has me salivating and one of the best things is that the worse case scenario is we keep 20 year old Jaon Williams. Davis excelled in the playoffs and will add expereince, leadership and direction to our young players. Only 3 weeks to go, I can hardly wait.

 

[Nightfly]

Well, how often is Vecsey right?