Bulls Roster Changes

Hmmm.

Out of the running

It's no surprise former Illinois star Frank Williams will not return to the Bulls next season. Bulls staff members were dissatisfied with Williams' effort in his one season here. Ex-Iowa center Jared Reiner also will not return.

Frank Williams is not a surprise. He came to the preseason camp out of shape. SG Eddie Basden will take Williams' place.

I was curious about Jared Reiner. He was a dark horse last year - possibly he made the team given Chandler and Curry were such unknowns. The Bulls will entertain a different big man and may think their strong showing last season means Chicago can attract a better, veteran player for 2005-06.

Malik Allen, Michael Finley, Tom Gugliotta and Toni Kukoc all have piqued Paxson's interest, according to a source. While Finley, once a star at Proviso East, is probably the most attractive, he also may be the hardest to get because several teams are expected to pursue him.

Finley will be available assuming Dallas releases him under a new stipulation in the collective bargaining agreement that does not include the player's salary in the team's luxury tax.

Finley is a loooooong shot - Dallas will probably not release him fearing he will play for the rival Suns. If released, he probably will want to play for a sure thing, not a rebuilding team like Chicago.

Kukoc is the most popular of the remaining names but he might be as useful an aged Scottie Pippen - not that useful at all. He is a smart player, a good passer but often injured.

IMHO Gugliotta is too old and hampered by past inhuries. I don't know if he can shoot well but he played for GSW and didn't impress me (yet who does while at GS?).

Allen is probably the more likely candidate Paxson is looking at since he's the least known of the former and is thus is not mentioned to show respect to a veteran player or for making points with an player's agent. Public flattery can help make an agent look good and in turn he'll help the team when he can.

IMHO, Finley would do well as an "NBA personality" playing for Da Bulls. He'd be a fan favorite and credited with putting Chicago over the top if they did well in the playoffs. Given Chicago is a deep team, he'd also get reduced minutes but play at critical times. Dallas wouldn't have to face him in the playoffs unless both teams made the finals.

Is Finley necessary?

Yes!

Playing Gordon (SG) and Finley (SF) would make a small back court but with Hinrich at PG it would place three high scoring perimeter players on the floor and open up the paint for Chandler and Davis (or Curry). Starting Hinrich and Finley as guards, Loul Deng would be at SF and Curry at Center.

So what about the PF position?

The PF position is still open. Chandler is best used off the bench and so is high energy Nocioni. Da Bulls currrent PFs are short 6-9 Harrington, bean-pole Chandler, Agressive-but-undersized Nocioni and possibly slow-but-steady A.Davis. Possible additions for the Bulls are 6-9 Mario Austin, free agent Allen (see above) or a TBD veteran.

The PF position is still the most interesting aspect for this team.