Offseason Prediction:

It's that time of the year. The offseason has begun, so let's have a little fun with this.

I will start off by giving my prediction and will try to keep it realistic: But hey, unrealistic predictions are fun to read too.

Bulls get the 7th overall pick in the draft and select Eric Gordon.

Next: the Bulls trade Ben Gordon to NJ for the 10th pick in this years draft and select DeAndre Jordan.

Days later, Rick Carlisle signs a 5 yr deal as the next coach.

Next: Pax goes on record as saying that the Bulls are discussing a trade with the LA Clippers, that should be finalized within a week. "Players names were not mentioned".    

Lets just say next year the Bulls roster should/will contain:

Their first round draft pick (E. Gordon would be nice), Noah, Thomas, Gray, Hinrich, Sefelosha, Deng, and Hughes.

I don't care if they keep Duhon, Gooden, Gordon, or Nocioni. They'll probably have Noc though.

DaCoach85

I agree, we need to keep Gooden. And, if we are fortunate enough to snag a FA like Brand, that makes keeping Gooden that much more important, because he ( Gooden )would be an excellent back-up PF. 

I don't know how much interest other teams would have in aquiring Hughes with his contract being so big, but you just never know. I wouldn't be dissapointed if we kept him.

Like you said, Gordon is gone, and good bye, no way does he resign as a back-up. I would be interested in knowing what he would be worth as far as trading him straight up for a draft pick.

Deng on the other hand, would be a much better player in a better system, VIA new coach. I also would not be opposed to trading Deng if it made the team better. Like i said, Deng and our current #9 pick for #2 and then draft Beasley. He will be a dynamite SF.

At this point, i would be tempted to trade Deng and Gordon for #2, if league rules would allow it. Then use our pick for the best available PG in the draft. That could possibly be Eric Gordon or Russell Westbrook at #9.

Deng and Ben Gordon for the rights to draft Beasley, and then our  #9 for Gordon or Westbrook, i would do that in a second.

My feeling was as much as I think Drew Gooden is a good player, I don't trust him long term. I don't think they should give him an extention. I envision a frontcourt of Thomas, Noah, Gray, and a veteran free agent scrub. They would also have Luol Deng and Thabo Sefelosha who also have size. I think they should draft someone who could be Nocioni with better man defense.

They have to get rid of a guard or 3. If they trade away Hughes, that would work. Ben Gordon will probably leave. I think they'll keep Sefelosha, Hinrich, and may want to develop Shannon Brown or JamesOn Curry.

1.Sign Larry Brown

2.Let  Duhon, Nicols, and Brown all leave unless they come cheap.

3. Trade Noccioni to LA for Kampman

4.Re-sign Deng or Sign Andre Iguodala

5.Re-Sign Gordon or Sign Jose Calderon

6. Sign Mikael Pietrus ,Chris Mihm, or Omeka OkaforS

7. Draft Kevin Love #9 and DJ White at #39.

Starters - 1Kirk Hinrich/2Larry Hughes/3Luol Deng or Andre Iguodala/4Drew Gooden/5Chris Kampman or Okafor.

MCTRINI,

I am with you on signing Igoudala, unfortunately Philly would match any offer the Bulls were to make to keep him. Philly seems to be in a good position salary wise, to give him a hefty raise.

But hey, we can still hope right?

He would look awefully good in a Bulls jersey.

Yankee_H8r01'

I agree with you on Noah. I think ( and have thought since the Bulls drafted him ) that he will be a good NBA player.

I just hope that Gray developes into a good back-up C.

My concern is with Thomas and the state of the PF position as a whole. I like Gooden, but i still think we could improve at that position.

Our biggest need IMO is PG, and with SF being second. Although i think in the right system, our SF's ( Deng and Nocioni ) will be better. One thing that needs to happen with Noch, is that he needs to fall out of love with the 3 point shot, and quit camping out at the 3 point arc. ( that drives me insane )

One fear i have is Pax taking too long to find a coach. This is one move that has to be 100% done right, no taking a risk trying to find that next great guy that has not been the head coach before.

I know some of those choices pan out to be great ones, but after this past year, he cannot afford to be wrong.

The new coach needs to be brought in quick so he has time to plan for the draft , and the up coming free agency. He has to be able to bring in the player that fit HIS system, not Paxon's.

You want to keep Larry Hughes???  He just might be the second-coming of Ricky "me first" Davis.  Everywhere Hughes has gone, he's gotten his points and touches while turning his team into a loser. 

I'm not big on the current roster, but our priorities of keepers should be (in order)Captain Kirk, Deng, and Joakim.  Everyone else can be traded or cut for all I care.  Don't let these guys' bad years sour you, though.  They're proven winners and TEAM players.

I like your idea of overspending for Andre Igua.  That would kill the 76ers too.  Also find a way to draft Beasley or Love (Please don't draft Eric Gordon.  he's just Larry Hughes in a diaper). 

I would also love a cheap free agent signing of Nick Collison.  Can you see a Rock Chalk reunion with Hinrich?  He could clean the glass and give the Bulls an inside scorer.