Truth & Rumors > NBA

Bulls could make play for J. O'Neal

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If the Bulls decide to select Memphis point guard Derrick Rose with the top pick in the draft this month, they might seek to fill their need for a low-post scorer by acquiring Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal. The Pacers would prefer not to deal O'Neal within the Central Division, but they might not have much choice. O'Neal has two years and $44 million left on his contract and a recent history of injuries, so few teams would be in position -- or willing -- to make a play for the 12-year veteran. The Bulls, though, are one of those teams. They have the players -- and, more important, the big-money contracts -- to get a deal done. A proposal built around forward Tyrus Thomas ($3.75 million), one of the Bulls' excess guards -- Larry Hughes ($12.8 million), Kirk Hinrich ($10 million) or Ben Gordon (restricted free agent) -- and a future draft pick meets the salary-cap requirements and might be the best offer the Pacers get.

Chicago Sun-Times

Jermaine O'Neal, Getty Images Jermaine O'Neal, Getty Images
June 9, 2008  09:38 AM ET

This would be the Bulls finally taking a step in the right direction, but without a coach it doesn't matter. Too bad the Wizards don't have any leverage to bring O'Neal to Washington.

June 9, 2008  09:51 AM ET

Yeah, I think this will work for the bulls. Bring JO and BIG ben.. Thats a Good Solid Low post Defense, Hopefully, This will work. Both teams would Succeed In this trade.

June 9, 2008  09:56 AM ET

Big ben isn't coming back......

Oneal HAS value (if healthy).
only 2yrs left on the deal.....then BIG cap relief.
He can be a low post scorer that is so hard to find in the league.....
AND he plays defense- (even HARDER to find)

Douobt they would send him to chicago though

June 9, 2008  09:56 AM ET

I'd love to believe there's still gas in the tank, but as a Fantasy League owner who's been burned by the talented-but-brittle O'Neal for the past three seasons, I'm dubious that he's worth what the Bulls would have to pay him.

June 9, 2008  10:04 AM ET

Opps my bad, Big ben plays in clevland haha, Still O'neal and Gooden.. a Solid combo

June 9, 2008  10:30 AM ET

i wouldnt want to give up Tyrus Thomas though, that guy is electric

June 9, 2008  10:32 AM ET

If this was about 5 years ago then it may be a good thing for the Bulls. No need to bring in another washed up big guy, how'd that work out last time?

June 9, 2008  10:32 AM ET

Good move for both teams. Give JO two years to go far with Rose and Deng and then send him packing if he can't. JO needs to have help on the perimeter, he is not really a premier focal point of an offense.

June 9, 2008  10:41 AM ET

Chicago better invest in wheelchairs if J.O. is coming to town. My bet is that he will miss more than 1/3rd of season games in Chi town.

And the real problem is that Chicago has to give up players for him. This is a losing situation, bulls fans.

June 9, 2008  10:51 AM ET

Jermaine O'Neal is a clubhouse cancer, that the Chicago Bulls do not need. He has had a hand in running the last two coached out of Indy. Plus, he can't be the backbone of a winner. Maybe he could join a veteran organization that's a player away, but he's still too immature and stupid for anything else.

June 9, 2008  11:00 AM ET

If Lakers lose finals, they will make a play for Oneal. Granted Bynum is injured, they can try to get rid of Turiaf, Vlade, Vujacic and some of the miss firing guys that played yesterday. The bench was just pure awful and the D was on Kobe like superglue. Also, the refs called a bunch of bogus fouls.

June 9, 2008  11:10 AM ET

Agree with DWITT JO is one of a hand full of players who gives you 22ppg, 12rpg, 3bpg, 3apg. True he has injury concerns but i think that last season he missed alot of games because he was unhappy with the way the Pacers changed their offense and excluded him out of everything they are trying to do.
Bulls starting lineup if the trade involves thomas hinrich and Hughes
Rose, Gorden Deng Oneal Noah bench Nocioni, Gooden shefalosha, Duhon

I wish that Indy would buy him out and he come to Houston. Wishflu thinking

June 9, 2008  11:24 AM ET

it's about time we started shaking this thing up.
91,92,93,96,97,98

June 9, 2008  11:25 AM ET

This would be the first real step that is in the right direction... it would be a huge boost for the bulls future if he can stay healthy.

June 9, 2008  11:40 AM ET

Cleveland should make a move for this guy. Bron-Born needs all the help he can get or else he'll be a Knick in two years - tops.

June 9, 2008  11:41 AM ET

A step backwards if anything. Bulls don't need an overpaid, injury prone veteran whose best years are behind him. Let the new coach mold the youth on this team into his system.

June 9, 2008  11:42 AM ET

Beasley is going to make teams pay for passing on him in the draft. I dont see how an individual can have THE greatest individual freshman season in NCAA history and yet still have players projected higher than him.

June 9, 2008  11:53 AM ET

evolv
I dont agree with your comment. The Bulls already have Larry Hughes. JO is an upgrade from Larry Hughes. Again JO is an Upgrade

June 9, 2008  12:17 PM ET

EReed
He's not a good enough upgrade at this point to warrant that kind of money, I'd rather them take Beasely with the first pick and go from there with a good coach and young talent. Just seems like a better long term move to me, I'm no expert though.

 
June 9, 2008  12:20 PM ET

Nooooooooo do something spurs

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