A Bull Free Agency idea I DO like: Matt Barnes

[FirstTimer]

While awaiting Redick, how about Barnes? - Chicago Bulls Blog - ESPN Chicago

Does Orlando's decision to sign former DePaul star Quentin Richardson mean that they won't match the Bulls' three-year, $20 million dollar offer sheet for J.J. Redick?

It's still too early to tell, but it certainly can't hurt the Bulls' chances.

In the short term, the Richardson move probably means that at least one Orlando contributor won't be back next season. Here's one the Bulls should go after: Matt Barnes.

Barnes has played for seven teams during his seven-year career and is looking for a long-term deal after opting out of his contract after the season with the Magic. He has stated publicly in recent weeks that his first preference would be to return to Orlando, but it's hard to imagine Magic GM Otis Smith digging even deeper into the luxury tax to retain Barnes and Redick after signing Richardson.

Whether Smith matches Redick's offer sheet or not, the Bulls still have enough money available to make a strong push for Barnes right now. He would be a good complement to Luol Deng off the bench for several reasons. First of all, he's durable after missing only a handful of games over the past four seasons. With Deng's availability uncertain because of health concerns, Barnes would serve as a solid insurance piece.

He plays with a swagger and toughness that would fit well with the attitude the Bulls tried to develop throughout last season. He has the ability to make three-pointers if given enough space, which he should have plenty of by playing with Derrick Rose. Most of all, he is a hard-nosed defender who you could easily see becoming a favorite of new Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.

Barnes, 30, must realize that this may be his last chance to make some big money and sign a guaranteed contract for multiple years. If the Bulls offered Barnes a three-year deal worth $12-$15 million there's a good chance he would accept considering he hasn't even made $8 million throughout the course of his career, a pittance for an NBA veteran. The three-year deal would also allow the Bulls even more flexibility when superstars such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh could come off the books again in a few years.

If the Bulls landed Barnes and the Magic still decided not to match the offer sheet for Redick, Chicago suddenly would have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, and they still would have a few million left to spend under the cap. Not bad for a summer's worth of work for Gar Forman and Co., even though they didn't land the splashy free agents in James, Wade and Bosh.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

wha?

 

[FirstTimer]

wha?

Huh?

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

why matt barnes?

 

[FirstTimer]

why matt barnes?

..........read the article?

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

i did i still dont see the point in having him on the bulls esp. with deng and korver already at the 3

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

I thought I heard that he was either going to sign with Miami or the Lakers.

Wish we could get him, but that boat might have sailed.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

His twitter....

2maro is the day. I will let my fans know where I'm going to sign. Its gonna SURPRISE you!!!! Keep it locked..

Maybe he is making fun of Lebron. Who knows?

 

[FirstTimer]

i did i still dont see the point in having him on the bulls esp. with deng and korver already at the 3

Because Korver can play either the 2 or 3. That frees up time behind Deng, especially if we are having issues finding a starting SG, let alone a back up. In certain situations your front court would be: Rose, Korver, Barnes. Also, Barnes would be versatile enough defensively to match up with perimeter 4's like Rashard Lewis and if you really expect the Bulls to do anything against the Heat at all Barnes would be a huge asset to have playing wing defense on either Wade or Bron.

 

[FirstTimer]

His twitter....



Maybe he is making fun of Lebron. Who knows?

Chicago would surprise me.......

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Chicago would surprise me.......

FC Barcelona

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Real Madrid was what i was thinking

 

[PrideisBears]

Chicago would surprise me.......

Anybody but Miami would surprise me. I'm sick of players running over there hoping that the N.H.O (New Heat Order) will automatically bring them a title.

 

[Chi-Town Brahma]

Anybody but Miami would surprise me. I'm sick of players running over there hoping that the N.H.O (New Heat Order) will automatically bring them a title.

I can hear the nWo theme song playing in my head right now. Except in place of the word "world" it's "heat". Lol