The Bulls have between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31 to sign Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer to contract extensions, otherwise the players will become restricted free agents next summer.
In itself, that is no reason to panic. The Bulls could match any offer to their restricted free agents and would be in no danger of losing Crawford or Fizer against their will.
But then again, it's worth noting that three teams with a vast supply of cap room - Denver, Utah and Miami - are having trouble landing any free agents. That means their cap money will likely carry over to next summer, when those teams could be in position to make expensive offers hoping the Bulls won't match.
"I can't worry about that," Bulls general manager John Paxson said. "I can't let that force my hand. I still feel we can be patient."
In some ways, it would make sense to wait on extensions. The Bulls might want to see how Crawford fares with a full season as the starting point guard and will certainly wait until Fizer proves he has recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
On the other hand, the Bulls could end up spending more for both players if they wait until next year. That could prove costly down the road because the Bulls will be closing in on the luxury-tax threshold soon.
Via Daily Herald
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He may not be the final piece of the playoff puzzle, but the Bulls effectively completed their roster for the 2003-04 season Tuesday when veteran Corie Blount agreed to terms.
Blount is believed to have signed a two-year deal, with one year guaranteed, at about $1.7 million. He averaged three points and 4.1 rebounds for the Bulls last season in 50 games. He is expected to provide veteran backup help for Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler.
Blount, 34, began his career with the Bulls in 1993 and has played for the Lakers, Cavaliers, Suns, Warriors and 76ers. His career averages are 3.5 points and 4.1 rebounds. The Bulls were encouraged by Blount's finish last season when he averaged six points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 30.1 minutes over the last seven games, three of them starts. The Bulls were 4-3 in those games, beating the Nets, 76ers, Pacers and Bucks.
The Bulls now have 15 players on the roster: Curry, Chandler, Blount, Jamal Crawford, Jalen Rose, Dalibor Bagaric, Kirk Hinrich, Marcus Fizer, Jay Williams, Roger Mason Jr., Eddie Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Lonny Baxter, Donyell Marshall and Trenton Hassell. Williams is out for the season after his motorcycle accident, so two players from that group will have to go on the injured list for the season opener in October.
In other Bulls news, wayward forward Eddie Robinson has been working out with the team in Deerfield this week for the first time all summer. Robinson had been refusing to return calls from team officials, so the Bulls fined him $50,000. Robinson is expected to contest the fine.
Via Chicago Tribune
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The Bulls came to terms with Corie Blount on Monday night while saying goodbye to Fred Hoiberg, who agreed to terms with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Blount will sign a two-year, $3.4million deal, becoming the 15th and final player on the roster.
"We're real excited about it,'' said Mark Bartelstein, who represents Blount. "He really enjoys mentoring the young players and had a great sense of pride watching Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler develop.''
The 6-10 Blount, 34, averaged 3.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 16.7 minutes last season, but his defense and veteran leadership most impressed operations chief John Paxson.
Hoiberg, 30, played the last four seasons for the Bulls, giving him the most seniority on the team. He was a co-captain last season, and though he struggled with his shooting, his work ethic and professionalism made him a favorite of coach Bill Cartwright. Hoiberg averaged 2.3 points on .389 field-goal shooting last season.
Via Chicago Sun-Times
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Bulls Jul 2003 Archive
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Minneapolis Star-Tribune | Jul 29, 2003
Coming this fall to a basketball arena near you: Mad Dog and the Mayor.
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nba.com | Jul 28, 2003
Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Kevin McHale today announced the team has agreed to terms with free agent Fred Hoiberg.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 27, 2003
Bulls coaches coached two Lonny Baxters last season, the effective, no-nonsense player they called "Lonny" and the lost-looking, shot-forcing rookie they called "Lenny.
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Arlington Heights Daily Herald | Jul 26, 2003
This is like 1995-96 all over again - except that it's the summer, the games don't count and most of the competitors won't play in the NBA this season.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 26, 2003
Bulls forward Eddie Robinson is finding his truancy costly.
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Arlington Heights Daily Herald | Jul 25, 2003
Bulls general manager John Paxson hasn't bothered to hide his growing frustration with forward Eddie Robinson this summer.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 22, 2003
Scottie Pippen is about to begin his second tour of duty with the Bulls.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 22, 2003
The Bulls improved to 3-0 at the Rocky Mountain Revue after a 90-79 victory over the San Antonio Spurs Monday.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 22, 2003
If nothing else, the characters are in place for a hilarious promotion: a 1.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 21, 2003
As the Bulls made the reacquisition of Scottie Pippen official Sunday, coach Bill Cartwright denied a wire-service report that the 16-year veteran was signed to back up Jalen Rose at small forward.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 20, 2003
Bulls general manager John Paxson sat in his Berto Center office Saturday, hours before he made his weekly visit to 5 p.
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ESPN | Jul 19, 2003
Scottie Pippen is returning to familiar stomping grounds.
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Willoughby News-Herald | Jul 19, 2003
The Cavaliers are going to get up close and personal with Ira Newble today.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 19, 2003
A face-to-face meeting between John Paxson and James Posey established interest on both sides, and the Bulls are optimistic they can outbid Houston for Posey, a restricted free-agent small forward, if necessary.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 19, 2003
With most of their free-agent efforts focused on keeping forward James Posey, the Rockets saw another suitor begin moving in position to compete for the restricted free agent.
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Star-Telegram | Jul 18, 2003
The Mavericks might as well scratch Scottie Pippen's name off their shopping list.
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Commercial Appeal | Jul 18, 2003
A decision on where free-agent forward Scottie Pippen will play next season could come early next week.
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Daily Herald | Jul 18, 2003
Scottie Pippen told Bulls general manager John Paxson Thursday he would like to spend the weekend pondering his free-agent options.
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Memphis Commercial Appeal | Jul 17, 2003
Free-agent forward Scottie Pippen said Wednesday his meeting with Grizzlies majority owner Michael Heisley went well, and he's seriously considering Memphis as his final stop.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 16, 2003
Bulls guard Jay Williams, who suffered career-threatening injuries in a June 19 motorcycle accident, has been released from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 16, 2003
As Scottie Pippen watched baseball's best Tuesday night from a suite at U.
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Memphis Commercial Appeal | Jul 16, 2003
NBA free agents can officially sign contracts starting today and the Grizzlies are entertaining future Hall-of-Famer Scottie Pippen.
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Daily Herald | Jul 15, 2003
Bulls general manager John Paxson has talked about bringing back Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant this summer.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 15, 2003
The ball is in Scottie Pippen's court.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 15, 2003
Bulls general manager John Paxson is serious about establishing a link to the team's dynasty days, and his free-agent pursuit of Scottie Pippen isn't the only proof.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 11, 2003
Scottie Pippen contacted Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf on Tuesday, enhancing the likelihood of Pippen returning to the Bulls to finish his career.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 10, 2003
In low-key fashion, the Bulls welcomed Ira Newble to Chicago in an attempt to prove to the free-agent forward that their interest isn't limited to Scottie Pippen.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 9, 2003
They sat in a room at the Berto Center, three old friends and former teammates who had tasted sweet victories, bitter defeats and all the sweat inherent in working for such moments together.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 8, 2003
Speaking at his basketball camp Monday in Portland, Ore.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 8, 2003
After discussing a return to the Bulls with Scottie Pippen over the weekend, John Paxson will shift his attention to the opposite end of the name-recognition spectrum today when Ira Newble visits.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 4, 2003
After two surgeries to repair his pelvis, Bulls guard Jay Williams was discharged from Illinois Masonic Medical Center late Wednesday and flew to Durham, N.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 3, 2003
Jay Williams moved his left foot in such a way that suggests major nerve damage has been averted, Williams' agent, Bill Duffy, told Sports Illustrated.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 3, 2003
Scottie Pippen is coming to Chicago—for personal reasons.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 3, 2003
Bulls operations chief John Paxson wouldn't confirm Wednesday whether he has talked to free agent Scottie Pippen, which is a sign Pippen would like to keep the negotiations private.
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Indianapolis Star | Jul 3, 2003
Jim Stack, an assistant coach for the Pacers the past three seasons, will interview for a similar position in Chicago today.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jul 2, 2003
Jerry Krause's giddy proclamation that the Bulls have no chance of signing free agent Scottie Pippen didn't deter general manager John Paxson from calling Pippen on Tuesday, the first day teams could contact free agents.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 2, 2003
Kirk Hinrich spent last weekend with former Kansas teammate Nick Collison and some high school buddies in Las Vegas.
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 1, 2003
John Paxson's approach to free agency, which starts Tuesday, will be simple.
