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Paxson: No Big Names On The Horizon
“Right now, we still have over three weeks (before over the trade deadline), and as I have learned, a lot of teams don’t do much until the trade deadline gets closer,’’ said Paxson, who just returned from a scouting trip in Europe. “There is a misconception that those (superstar) guys are readily available. The discussions I have had, those names have not come up. “(The rumors) seem to take on a life of their own, that we should go out and get a guy. We would love to have a guy that can score 25 points a night, but those guys are hard to come by and teams don’t give up on them.” Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Al Harrington - The Missing Piece?
Back then, when the team was horrible, the arrival of a future free agent such as Tracy McGrady or Eddie Jones was one of the few highlights on the schedule. Thankfully for Bulls fans, times have changed. Saturday at the United Center, the Bulls got their first look this season at Atlanta’s Al Harrington, who could end up being their No. 1 target in free agency this summer. As auditions go, this wasn’t a very good one. With Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf watching from his suite, Harrington produced 13 points and 4 rebounds, while hitting 5 of 15 shots. The Bulls survived a late comeback to turn back the Hawks 111-99. The Bulls tried to trade for Harrington, a 6-foot-9 forward, in 2003 when he played for Indiana, but the Pacers wouldn’t accept an offer of the No. 7 draft pick. The Bulls ended up keeping the pick and selected Luol Deng, who scored 18 points Saturday. Overall this season, Harrington, 25, is averaging 18.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and shooting 46.3 percent. A possible future with the Bulls is definitely on his mind. “Obviously, they’re one of the top teams on my list as a free agent,” Harrington said. “They’re right there. This house is definitely going to be a situation I’m going to look at in free agency and if it’s a fit, I’ll be here.” The Bulls have a spot available for Harrington at power forward and believe he could fit in with their plan of a hard-working, unselfish team. “They’re doing a great job of putting this team together,” Harrington said of the Bulls. “Everybody complements each other well. I think the biggest thing that they’re missing is a person like myself that would be a post presence night in and night out. That’s why, obviously, I think this would be a good situation and I’m sure management feels that way also." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Bulls Sign James Thomas
Thomas joins Chicago from the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association where he averaged 19.7 ppg, 14.4 rpg, 1.1 apg and 37.0 mpg, and shot .513 from the field. He started all 12 appearances with the Patroons and was a recent participate in the CBA All-Star game on Jan. 16. He joined Albany on Dec. 23, 2005, after being waived by the Philadelphia 76ers. With the Sixers, Thomas played in 15 games and averaged 1.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 8.3 mpg and shot .538 from the floor. As a rookie in 2004-05, Thomas spent a total of 11 games in the NBA between Portland (nine games) and Atlanta (two games) and averaged 2.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg in 10.6 mpg. He also spent 36 games with the NBDL’s Roanoke Dazzle. With the Dazzle he averaged 12.4 ppg and 13.3 rpg in 35.4 mpg and was the unanimous selection for 2005 D-League Rookie of the Year award. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Bulls Jan 2006 Archive
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Despite rumors and newspaper stories suggesting otherwise, Bulls general manager John Paxson is not close to making any deals that include a “big-name’’ player.
The Bulls will have room under the salary cap this summer for the first time since their celebrated “full-boat” free-agent quests of 2000 and 2001.
The Chicago Bulls today announced the signing of James Thomas to a 10-day contract. Thomas, a 6-8, 235-pound forward, will available tonight when the Bulls host the Washington Wizards at the United Center at 7:30 P.M. CT. He will wear No. 30.