ORLANDO, Fla. -- It often takes a star to get a star, which is why point guard Derrick Rose believes his Bulls are on course to land one of the big-name, high-profile free agents this summer.Either Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh or Joe Johnson could be coming to Chicago soon.
"It would be huge for us. It would make us a serious contender,'' Rose told FanHouse Thursday afternoon before the Bulls played the Magic in Orlando. "I think we can get one of them. We have other things to worry about right now, getting into the playoffs, but I can't wait for that day (landing another star) to come.''
By trading away John Salmons and his $6.4 million contract last month, the Bulls became one of eight teams that can offer a maximum salaried contract to one of the free agent stars this summer.
James, Wade and Bosh all have had their interests linked to the Bulls at some point this season.
Share "I'd be fine with any one of them,'' Rose said. "One of them would be great. They'd all fit well here. I think we've got a good shot. Why wouldn't they want to come to Chicago? It's a great market with loyal, die-hard fans.''
Rose bases his belief on several factors: The championship history of the franchise, the team's popularity, the salary cap space that will allow roster flexibility, and the team they already have assembled -- including him as the point guard.
Rose, only in his second season, played in his first NBA All-Star Game last month in Dallas. He is averaging 20.6 points, 5.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds, a combination of key statistics that only James, Wade and Chris Paul can match.
"They'd all fit well here. I think we've got a good shot. Why wouldn't they want to come to Chicago? It's a great market with loyal, die-hard fans.''
- Derrick RoseAlthough the Bulls have struggled lately without Joakim Noah around the basket, Rose has stepped up his game, averaging 26.6 points, 6.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds in the last seven. In his last two, he had 25 points and 13 assists against Deron Williams and Utah, and 34 points and 8 assists against Jason Kidd and Dallas.
There isn't a young point guard more appealing today than Rose in Chicago.
As a Chicago native, his popularity continues to soar. He became Chicago's first All-Star since Michael Jordan left the team. He also became the youngest All-Star (21 years, 133 days) in franchise history. Just the thought of teaming Wade (also from Chicago) in the Bulls backcourt next season has the franchise frothing.
It easily would be the best backcourt in the league. Yet James at small forward or Bosh at power forward/center also could be a seamless fit.
Rose now is trying to will the Bulls back to the playoffs for the second consecutive year. They are battling Charlotte and Miami for one of the last two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Rose also knows that if the Bulls replace the Heat in the playoff picture (the two teams play Friday night), it might help tip the balance in Chicago's favor this summer.
"I've never really hung out with [Wade]. He's older than me, but I'd love to play with him,'' Rose said. "It's important how we finish [this season]. It would help us. He might say, 'If they made the playoffs without me, how good would they be if they had me?'''
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lebron can pretty much choose his teammates on his next team. If he wants to stay in Cleveland, where he gets a max contract, he can do that. I suspect if Cleveland wins the championship this year, he will stay with Cleveland.
He can also get a max contract with a sign and trade deal, but he would only want to do that if the team acquiring him has championship caliber players remaining after the trade. The best example of such a possible deal would be with the Lakers. If LeBron wants to play with Kobe, the Lakers could trade Bynum and either Odom or Artest for LeBron. That would give Cleveland reasonable value for LeBron, especially if LeBron makes it clear to Cleveland that he is leaving and Cleveland can either accept that trade or receive nothing for him.
If LeBron wants to play with Wade, he signs with Miami or both Wade and LeBron sign with New York.
you're on crack if you think lebron going to the lakers is even 0.0000999% possible. the chances of him going to miami are 1 million times greater than the chances of him going to LA. oh, and the chances of him ending up in miami are quite slim, mind you that. he'll most likely end up resigning with cleveland, if not signing with the knicks. you got alot of learning to do martin.
esteban- You sound just like the ignorant people who said Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar and Shaq wouldn't be with the Lakers. And you missed the point of my comment, which was that LeBron can choose his teammates. If he wants to play on the same team as Kobe Bryant and live near the beach, he can sign with the Lakers. If he wants to stay in Cleveland (and freeze for half the year and sweat in outrageous humidity the other half), he can do that. And if he wants to play with Wade in Miami or New York (either way he will be fighting off huge cockroaches), he can do that. And speaking of having a lot of learning to do, you might want to study your computer's keyboard. It contains something called a "shift" key. Try using it sometime.
monta ellis is very close to those stats as well.
A top player lured by the bulls I have'nt laughed this hard in a long time.I hope salmons is laughing at these clowns.
It's no secret; I have been pulling for Reggie Williams of the Golden State Warriors. He led the nation twice in scoring at the NCAA level. He did exceedingly well in Europe. He led the NBA D League in scoring. So, what has he shown me in 10 days and 6 games in the NBA? First, the line: .500-something from the field, .400 from 3PT, .800-something FT. That's the beginning....Smart, efficient, with the ball. Good decisions. Low to negligent turnovers. Not afraid to mix it up, and get some rebounds. Great running the floor. Can go for assists, but a threat to generate his own offense every time he touches the ball. Lastly, and surprisingly, no slouch on defense! Bottom line: He is very capable of doing it in the NBA-level; hands-down. Seems to be capable of raising his game to every level he has played in. Does he deserve another 10-days? Absolutely. Question still out there: How the heck did this kid slip under the contract-radar of the NBA GMs? Never said it before (for any non-pedigree of the draft), but I would bet my last dollar on him!
Lebron would never go to Chicago and live under Jordans name, not a chance. And the others, go ahead and get one, then you can be the 4th seed come playoff time,,,,,,,,,yipee.
4th seed beats the snot out of where they're going this year.