| Big Deal Authored by Kyle Trompeter - October 4, 2005 - 10:06 pm
I think it was just a few weeks ago when I was writing about how the Chicago Bulls need to keep Eddy Curry, and most signs pointed to that actually happening. Then, all of a sudden, presto chango!
Not on the Bulls anymore.
Hiyo!
As little as two days ago, it seemed as if a deal with the New York Knicks was more than unlikely. Then John Paxson pulled a fast one on Bulls fans and shipped Curry along with Antonio Davis for Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney, a future first round draft pick and some guy named Jermaine Jackson.
Good deal or bad deal? Talk amongst yourselves for a minute…
For the Bulls, this will turn out to be a great deal. The reason for the trade stems from Curry not wanting to take a DNA test so that the Bulls could better understand the health of their young center. Why Curry would be so unwilling to do so is a mystery to all seeing as that most people would like to know if they may have long term heart issues.
In fact, the Bulls were prepared to give Curry some long term financial security if he were to take the test and it turn out that he wouldn’t be able to play anymore.
Still a no go.
So then Paxson did what he needed to do: rid himself and the team from somebody that didn’t want to be a team player. Apparently, Paxson said that if Curry didn’t take the DNA test and remained with the Bulls under the five million dollar qualifying offer, he wouldn’t have even played this year because they didn’t want to risk hurting him. He would have been paid five million dollars to do nothing.
Then the savior called the Paxson household. It probably went something like this.
Mrs. Paxson: “John, Isiah Thomas is on the phone.”
John: “Oh boy, ask him what he wants.”
Mrs. Paxson: “Well, he said he wants Eddy.”
John: “Come again. Did you say he wants…our Eddy?!?”
Mrs. Paxson: “Ya huh.”
John: (Jumps up and down pumping fists in air)
Mrs. Paxson: “Honey, he says he’ll give you Thomas, Sweetney, and a future first round pick.”
John: (Passes out due to excitement)
Well, maybe it didn’t go exactly like that, but probably close to it.
It also seems like the Bulls will be getting Davis back, as the Bulls made the deal under the agreement that the Knicks would waive the veteran forward upon completion of the deal. This is a must considering the Bulls have a plethora of power forwards, but no big seven foot bodies that are Curry’s size.
This move will definitely make for a more athletic Bulls team, with Tyson Chandler starting at center, (probably) Davis at power forward, Luol Deng at small forward, Ben Gordon at shooting guard, and Kirk Hindrich at the point.
The frontcourt of the bench is now as solid as it will ever be depth wise. Malik Allen and Darius Songaila both signed with the Bulls as free agents this summer. Othella Harrington re-signed for another year as one of the top low post scorers off the Chicago bench, and now Sweetney will add some more size and toughness in the paint.
Thomas is going to most likely be the number 3 option at small forward, with Deng and Andres Nocioni playing in front of him. Thomas is a talented player that will hopefully not be a distraction to this young team.
As far as Jackson, well, I’m still trying to figure out who the heck this guy is.
For the Bulls to make a run at a championship this year or the next, one has to believe that Curry would need to have been involved. A big man of his caliber is an essential part of this team because he complements the perimeter players like Hindrich and Gordon so well with the double teams that he brings. But if he wasn’t even going to play this year for the Bulls, or possibly ever again, you might as well get something for him.
And the Bulls did just that.
Also, if the Knicks are mediocre again this year, maybe the Bulls will have someone like J.J. Redick suiting up in 2006.
It could happen… |
