The Chicago Bulls already have an overcrowded back court and building a young team around a point guard doesn’t bode well for a crowded back court. Gordon would like to stay with the Bulls, but someone is going to have to be moved. The most the Bulls can offer Gordon without being taxed is six years at roughly $58 million. Is this all Gordon is truly worth though?

There is no question that Ben Gordon can score. He has lead the Bulls in scoring for three consecutive seasons. As Bethlehem Shoals of “The Sporting Blog” put it though “he’s (Gordon) always been most effective off the bench. And no matter what he works on over the summer, he remains a man without a position or the dynamism necessary to overcome it. He’s an undersized Michael Redd, or Arenas sans ability to control the ball.”

Ben Gordon has two options he can pursue here. Gordon is a restricted free agent, and can only go elsewhere if someone offers him a contract and the Bull option not to match the offer. If the Bulls and Gordon do not reach a deal by the end of the free agency period he must sign a one-year tenure contract that will keep him with the team through next season, when he will then become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next offseason. If this is what things come down to, look for his playing time to drop. The Bulls have a young team with great potential that needs to play to become better and more mature. Knowing that Gordon would not be returning after becoming an UFA, the Bulls should look to use the players that will be here for some time to gain experience.

Another option of Gordon’s could be to look Europe. He is part-British and has citizenship in England. This summer four international players who had previously played in the NBA returned to teams in Europe, Atlanta Hawks free agent Josh Childress and New Jerseys Nets free agent Bostjan Nachbar have signed three year contracts with European teams and another team is close to signing Cleveland Cavs guard Delonte West to a two year deal. So the option is there, and Gordon could easily become the highest paid player in Europe if he chooses to.

Negro played for several teams during his 14 year NBA career. Negro was drafted by the Kings in 1988 and retired as a Sun in 2002. He also spent two years from 1990-92 playing in Europe. Negro was a point gaurd/shooting gaurd during is playing career.

The hiring of Negro offers a few questions and maybe a glimpse into the future on what the Bulls off-season still has to come.

The Bulls have several young big men on their roster with potential such as Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and Arron Gray. Adding another big man, such as Michael Beasley, would create a jam at the position. Also, would you really want a former journey man point guard like Negro mentoring a 19 year old forward?

This leaves the other option with the number one pick, a point guard from Chicago. Derrick Rose is a point guard with tons of athelticism and can shot the ball. Rose also has plenty of height for the position at 6 feet 4 inches. Sounds kind of like the point guard/shooting guard head coach? Rose would be the perfect fit the Bulls offense, and for what Negro’s plan may be. Negro played for five different NBA teams and two different teams in Europe. Negro should have plenty of experience with differnt offenses and should be able to put together a game plan that will fit the young bunch of players on the Bulls roster.

Although the Bulls have not made any noise to who they will draft next week other than Rose and Beasley being the final two, the hiring of Vinny Del Negro may translate into the drafting of Derrick Rose.

The Bulls are also still considering Kings assistant Chuck Person.  Person was brought in for a second interview earlier this week and looks to be the favorite if the Bulls pass on  Collins.

Lets hope they give Flip a look.

The Bulls were originally destined for the number 9 pick in this years draft, were a few good point guards would have been available, including Longhorn’s D.J. Augustin. If they go with Beasley, they will have to make other moves to improve the point guard position. The point guards position is already full though, so what would be the best option, is to attempt to move a forward and a point guard in a package for a better point guard.

Baron Davis is one man who may become available. He is due $17.1 million next season, and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Davis’ history of injuries is a red flag. Davis played in all 82 games last season, but missed at least 15 each other to previous five years as reported by the Daily Herald. He is only 29 years old though, and is a great leader when healthy.

Another point guard who may be available is Raptor’s T.J. Ford. The Raptor’s will likely choose between Ford or Jose Calderon as their future point. To get Calderon it would probably take Ben Gordon, but Ford could be traded for Andres Nocioni, who would be a good fit for their roster.

Memphis’ point Kyle Lowry also could become available. Lowry outplayed rookie Mike Conely for the most part last season. Lowry’s small contract of only $1.2 million next year will make it hard to make a deal happen. The Daily Herald also came up with an interesting trade offer of Hinrich or Gordon, plus Thomas, for Lowry, Mike Miller and Hakim Warrick. This is a very interesting trade, as it would add some needed help the Bulls back court.

Even if the Bulls decide to go with Beasley and stick with the current roster, a team that still has a lot of potential would have even more. A starting line up of:

• Hinrich at PG
• Gordon at SG
• Deng at SF
• Beasley at PF
• Noah at C

could be a very dominating force. With Hughes, Thomas, Gooden, Nocioni and Sefolosha coming of the bench would be a very deep team.

Either way the Bulls go in this years draft, the team will definitely be upgraded nicely.

Further Reading:

• Scenarios if the Bulls draft Derrick Rose

1. Full House: The Bulls will have a plethora of gaurds and will want to move someone. After getting Larry Hughes in a trade with Cleveland in February, sharing minutes between Krik Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Hughes, and Tabo Sefolosha didn’t work well for either player. Sefolosha’s potential will make him an unlikely trade option, and Gordon’s jumper being the best of the team will make it hard to part ways with him. Hinrich and Hughes are left with huge contracts, which could make them are to deal though. Hinrich is owed $36.5 million over four years and Hughes is due $26.5 million over two years. Chris Duhon is an unrestricted free-agent and is unlikely to return.
2. Blockbuster Moves: Starting off really big would be to pursue Carmelo Anthony if the Denver Nuggets do look to move him. Anthony’s agent, Calvin Andrews, says the Nuggets aren’t shopping him, but after barely making the play-offs with the leagues third-highest payroll, and a 4-20 playoff record since 2003, the Nuggets are in need some sort of make over. Possibly acquiring Hinrich and Luol Deng can help the Nuggets become a little more defensive minded. If not that, theres the possibilty of the Elton Brand trade, but this time the Daily Herald had a little different opinion. With the Bulls sending Hinrich and Drew Gooden, instead of Hinrich and Andres Nocioni. Another forward who may be available is Charlotte Bobcats Emeka Okafor who is a restricted free agent. Although the Bobcats do not have much room for more guards. Inevititably, Hinrich could be traded for former college roommate Nick Collison and project center Johan Petro.

These are just some thoughts and rumors that could occur. What the Bulls inevitably end up doing could be decided by the other 29 teams. Read the full article at DailyHerald.com here.

Related Reading:

• Scenarios if the Bulls draft Michael Beasley

1. The Chicago Bulls keep the number one pick, and draft Michael Beasley.
2. This possibility we already discussed in an earlier article. The Bulls would draft Rose and trade Andres Nocioni and Kirk Hinrich for Elton Brand.
3. The Bulls trade pick to the Clippers for Elton Brand and the number 7 pick. With the number seven pick the Bulls then draft D.J. Augustin from Texas.
4. The fourth is a little out there, but the Bulls would trade the number one pick and maybe some players to Miami for Dwayne Wade. This would allow the Heat to draft Beasley and Rose with the number 1 and 2 picks.

These are for speculations on what the Bulls may do this off-season. They have a lot of options with the number one pick, and have a lot of control. Whether the Bulls keep the pick or trade it, they should definitely return the form of two years ago when they won 50 games.