Moving day

I'm happy to announce my long-planned and eagerly-anticipated move over to BlogABull.com.

This new site is part of Sportsblogs Nation. A collection of top-notch sportsblogs, their portfolio up to this point has been only baseball blogs, but they've tabbed me to be to start and lead their hoops blogging. I'm really excited about the move, as the new site looks cleaner and the software certainly operates smoother than Blogger (Yocohoops.com uses this software as well).

I'm looking forward to increased exposure (SBNation has been featured in several mainstream press articles), and hopefully finding more members from the basketblogosphere to join me in the future. I really think this is the right blogging team for me to be a part of.

Now to the longtime readers, I sincerely hope you come with me to the new site. While I've been meaning to move for a while, I have delayed it partly because I so enjoyed how things were going here. I know change can be annoying, but you can trust me when I say that while the bookmarks change, the blog remains the same.

And that goes especially to you commenters. To PDaddy, CRG, Tom, Ben (the lot of you), Jobu, Wateska, and others, I have to warn (or should I say remind) you that SBNation blogs require registration through email before commenting and leaving diaries. I know some people out there don't like the idea of registration, but I hope you guys even put up a one-time-use email address so you can be able to comment at the new place. Failing that, there's always email. BlogABull will provide even more and easier ways to be a part of the great discussions we've enjoyed together here, so it'd be nice to see you regulars along for the ride.

And to my fellow bloggers, give me a shout out on the move and update your bookmarks! I know I don't deserve as much since I am notoriously lazy when it comes to updating my own links (it'll be easier at the new place, I swear!), but any help ensuring smooth transition will be appreciated

So from now on, you'll find me at BlogABull.com. Seeya there!

Big news

Not yet.

But soon enough!

(By the way, it's regarding this site, not the Bulls, obviously.)

Eddy requesting trade?

From today's Trib:

Eddy Curry's agent has asked the Bulls to consider a sign-and-trade for the restricted free agent, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed Tuesday.

Curry's agent, Leon Rose, did not respond to a message, and Bulls general manager John Paxson declined to confirm or deny the request. But Paxson acknowledged the parties are nowhere near reaching an agreement

I'm not even sure it's newsworthy anymore when Eddy Curry demands a trade, it seems to happen so often.

No other papers had as inflammatory of a headline ("Curry seeking sign-and-trade"), although they all considered it an option in the negotiations. I think that is probably what is closer to the truth. I see no problem with Eddy or his agent exploring options with other teams if they feel Paxson is non-committal to a substantial long-term deal (and that looks to be the case from Pax's side).

As far as the likelihood of a sign/trade with Curry, I just don't see it. The Bulls went through an incredibly long staredown with the Knicks last summer with Jamal Crawford, and with Curry's heart condition that process could even take longer this time around. And last summer the Bulls had something to gain from dealing Crawford, which was financial relief. With the Bulls owing no big contracts beyond this season (except for the recently re-signed Chandler) that motivation for working out a deal is gone. There's always the chance the Bulls could get comparable talent for Curry, but I don't see how a team would be willing to trade their young big(what the Bulls would be seeking to replace Eddy) for similar one with a potential career-threatening injury.

Another question with Curry is his conditioning, as there are rumors that he has been taking it easy this summer as to not jeapordize his market value. But Pax points out that Eddy technically isn't a free agent just yet:

"I don't think it will be a problem, it's not like they[Curry and Chandler] didn't have a contract. The qualifying offer is a contract. They all went through training camp with (coach) Scott (Skiles) last year. They realize there is a conditioning test they have to go through."

At the very least Eddy will make $5m+ for this season and it can serve as a test for both more consistent play and his health. If he plays well, all these problems will take care of themselves, the Bulls will still possess his Bird rights and will be able to give him the payday the other Baby Bull just received.

UPDATE (10:55pm): Go to the Score's website for John Paxson's interview with my guys Boers and Bernstein. Very interesting stuff regarding his approach to the Eddy Curry negotions.

Austin's odyssey continues

After waiting in vain for an offer from an NBA team, Mario Austin has reportedly signed with Hapoel Jerusalem of Israel's Premier League. Austin, the Bulls 2003 second round pick out of Mississippi State, averaged 7.6 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Bulls in the Vegas Summer League. With the recent signings of Malik Allen and Othella Harrington (and potentially Darius Songaila), there was little chance the well-travelled forward would make Chicago's opening-day roster.

After his kidnapping/contract dispute with CSKA Moscow a few years ago, Austin went on to play for the Jackson Rage of the World Basketball Association (billed as - I kid you not - "the next best thing to the NBA"), where he averaged 22.9 points and 10.3 rebounds in 2004 to win the league's MVP award, and then onto Laurentana Biella of the Italian League last season. Austin will team with another former Bulls pick, Roger Mason Jr., who signed with Hapoel earlier this summer.

Tyson Chandler re-signs

6 years, $63m. More if he hits certain statistical benchmarks for incentives.

UPDATE:

NBA blogosphere reaction to the Chandler signing: NBAFanBlog, UnknownColumn, NBA News, Give me the Rock

And for your weekend reading pleasure, SacKingsblog.com gives you Carnival of the NBA #15.

Never too early

There are still many questions to be answered by the Bulls in the coming months, from the possible signing of Darius Songaila to the re-signings of Curry and Chandler.

But next offseason will be the big one. If the team shows improvement this season (whether or not it means as many wins) the 2006 offseason could be where Paxson looks for the final piece to make the Bulls contenders in the East. With the contracts of Antonio Davis and Eddie Robinson (yes, he's still getting paid) coming off the books that summer the Bulls will be far enough under the cap to get one top-flight free agent or perhaps a couple mid-level guys, naturally depending on how much of it is going to Curry and Chandler by then.

A new blog called The NBA Source has done the dirty work ranking all the free agents for 2006. Sure it can be seen as looking 'too far ahead', but this cap room is what Paxson has been waiting for, so take a look at his possible targets.

And as far as this offseason is concerned, another new blog, 120 Proof Ball, has been giving the league their summer grades.

Frontcourt press

Rumors have been swirling around the Bulls and their search for another frontcourt player to go along with the recently resigned Othella Harrington, Antonio Davis, and the assumed-to-be-back Curry and Chandler. Earlier today ESPN.com's Ric Bucher revealed in his latest chat that the Bulls are likely to land Sacramento Kings Forward (and restricted FA) Darius Songaila. (And while writing this I hear rumblings that the Bulls have signed Malik Allen)

Here are some numbers for the 26 year old Songaila, who played in 81 games and averaged just over 20 mpg for the Kings last season:

	p/40	r/40	eFG%	FT%	PSA	REB-r	USG-r	PER
Songaila	14.6	9.2	0.527	0.847	1.13	11.5	15.1	14.9
Compara-Bull	Nocioni (14.3)	Harrington(9.2)	Curry(.538)	Gordon(.863)	Chandler(1.13)	Nocioni(11.4)	Piatkowski(15.7)	Gordon(14.9)
Highest Bull	Gordon (24.7)	Chandler(14.2)	Piatkowski(.573)	Gordon(.863)	Curry(1.17)	Chandler(16.4)	Gordon(27.8)	Chandler(16.4)

Songaila is a very capable offensive player, with a definite knack for efficient scoring (and look at that FT%, mmmmm) and an adequate rebounder. One deficiency that stands out is that his usage rate is like that of a statue (or basketball terms Eric Piatkowski).

That low usage rate and efficient output could be a result of the Kings offense. In a more...deliberate (to use a nice term) offense like the Bulls, Songaila may have to create more and will receive fewer open shots.

It's hard to determine how much his offensive numbers are inflated because of the system he played in, but it is important to also know that the Kings benefited from having Songaila on the court, scoring +3.8 points per 100 possessions better (nearly all of their statistically best lineups included Songaila). His defense was nothing spectacular, but adequate with a 16.3 oPER at the PF spot (to compare, AD allowed a 14.6 oPER at that position while Chandler allowed a 16.7 oPER). While his offense may have been helped by the Kings' style, it's also possible that, in a defense-first atmosphere like Chicago, Songaila can improve in that aspect of his game.

I haven't watched him play much in his 2-year career, but if you combine the numbers with the fact that he was a rotation player on a western conference playoff team, if Paxson can get him with their remaining MLE it could be a bargain.

UPDATE: The Bulls have signed Allen, and maintain interest in Songaila. Terms are undisclosed, but it's possible Allen has signed for the bi-annual exception, leaving the non-Duhon portion of the MLE (a little over $2m) for Songaila. I'm sure hoping they sign him now that I spent this time researching :-)