Bulls want a small forward

Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago Bulls’ number one priority this summer is to acquire a small forward. Smith says the Bulls will likely target Sacramento forward Hedo Turkoglu, Golden State’s Mike Dunleavy, and Memphis’s Shane Battier.

Smith feels Turkoglu would be the easiest to acquire since the Kings will be hard pressed to give him an extension due to commitments to other players on the team. Instead of losing Turkoglu, who will become a restricted free agent at the end of next season, for nothing, he suggests that the Bulls could offer their number one pick in the draft, assuming it is not in the top 3, Dalibor Bagaric, and a second round pick to acquire the talented forward. Turkoglu is said to be unhappy about losing his job in the rotation to Jim Jackson.

"I know I can't complain too much because attitude is important and it would be stupid of me to get too upset when we are winning," said Turkoglu, averaging seven points in about 18 minutes a game. "I know the people back home [in Turkey]—my parents, the fans—they are wondering what is going on."

Dunleavy could be the next easiest option. While the Bulls seem to be committed to Jay Williams as their future point guard, the present starter is Jamal Crawford. Should the Warriors lose Gilbert Arenas to free agency, point guard would become a need position for the Warriors- who were desperate for Jay Williams last summer. The Bulls could offer Jay Williams in exchange for Dunleavy, solving a logjam at point guard for the Bulls and logjam at small forward for the Warriors.

"I'm happy where I'm at," Dunleavy said. "No matter how poorly I do or how bad things are, this is only my rookie season. As a rookie, I haven't really been able to play through my mistakes. So when it comes time next year or a time after that, I'm going to appreciate playing big minutes. This organization had its reasons for picking me, a lot of reasons that don't have to do with being rookie of the year. They're expecting more things down the road. In the meantime, I'll let everybody else pass their judgments."

Finally, Shane Battier could fit the bill. Jerry West is known for being a guru when it comes to the NBA draft, however, Memphis will lose its selection in this years draft if it isn’t number one overall. They will acquire Houston’s pick, but if they make the playoffs, West is out of the lottery. Chicago could offer its lottery pick, again under the assumption it is not in the top 3, and Marcus Fizer for the Houston pick and Battier.

Battier is becoming one of the NBA’s best shooters and would bring a good defender to Chicago.

"I knew I wouldn't be in the same situation as I was last year, playing 40 minutes, so I wanted to become a very efficient player," Battier said. "The guys on the team and the coaches appreciate what I bring. I just try to come out and be valuable for our team, not just take up space on the floor. I'm a little bit awkward, but I get the job done."

Via

Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies

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Miller understands trade

John Denton of the Florida Today reports: Mike Miller understands why he was dealt to Memphis last month and believes the Orlando Magic did the right thing.

"I agree 100 percent they had to do something. That's another reason why it's hard to blame anybody," Miller said of his feelings toward the Magic. "They had to make a move. I think a lot of people were getting impatient and we weren't going anywhere. We were going to the first round of the playoffs and getting knocked off. We were a playoff team, but after a while people get impatient with just being a playoff team. It's funny to say that, but they had to make a move."

After being mentioned in trade talks for his entire Magic career, Miller was glad to finally have some closure.

"Then, I could just worry about basketball and my family and not worry all the time about where I was going to be," he said. "It's hard when you're starting a family and you're worrying about where you're going to live. But I'm excited because I have great coaches and one of the best GMs ever in Jerry West."

Via Florida Today

Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic

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Miller returns to Orlando

For the first time tonight, Mike Miller will enter the T.D. Waterhouse Centre as a visitor.

"It's going to be difficult as far as seeing all those people and not being apart of the Magic anymore," Miller said. "But I'm a Grizzly now. . . . I'm looking forward to growing with this team." Miller was supposed to be part of Orlando's core along with Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady. It never materialized like it was supposed to, in part because of Hill's injury-ridden career in Orlando, and now all that is left is what could have been.

"I used to think all the time about what we could have been with me, Grant and Mike," McGrady said. "I don't know what we would've been like. I think we'd be better than how we turned out, but I don't know that. I'll never know that."

Orlando Magic coach Doc Rivers concurs with McGrady.

"If Grant was healthy, you might make the case that the deal would not have been done," Magic Coach Doc Rivers acknowledged. "But you could also make the case that we needed to make a deal to get a post player still. We liked the possibilities of that lineup, though."

So tonight, Orlando gets closure according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jerry Brewer.

Ron Tillery of GoMemphis.com reports that while it may seem at first glance that Orlando has won the trade, the Grizzlies are ecstatic to have Miller.

"He's going to be a star, and there's no way we could get a player of his caliber in the draft," Griz coach Hubie Brown said of Miller. "We're talking about a primetime guy in our style of play."

The trade seems to be lopsided, but the trade answered needs for both teams. The emergence of Stromile Swift has also helped ease the loss of Drew Gooden.

Swift has averaged number's close to that of Gooden, but has been able to be more of a force on the defensive end blocking 3 shots per game in a 6-game stretch of double-doubles.

"The deal makes us a whole lot stronger," Griz center Lorenzen Wright said. "We just didn't have the (playing) time here for Drew."

The Magic admit Miller will not be easily replaced, but they are excited to see where this trade will take them.

"We can't replace Mike Miller," General Manager John Gabriel said. "He is a good player, and his best years are ahead of him. What we want to do now is work with this group, keep improving and see what we can do."

Even McGrady feels good about this team, despite the fact his best friend is not included.

"Absolutely, I think we can do something with this group," McGrady said. "Drew is a talent. He just has to learn. Gordan can play. You just never know what's going to happen in the future."

Via Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies

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