CST: Nate & Marco likely gone? Nazr Back? Noah may have surgery? More shooting in FA?

[kingbrentg]

All the question marks.

As the Bulls walked off the court Wednesday night in Miami — again sent on summer vacation by the Heat — the team had numerous roster holes.

If there was good news, it was that most of those holes were caused by injuries.

That’s why coach Tom Thibodeau was optimistic about next season, even with Rip Hamilton, Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli likely wearing different uniforms.

As far as overtaking the Heat, he said, “We have a lot of work to do to do that. You have to give Miami a lot of credit. They are the defending champion, they are playing at a high level and it takes a big-time commitment to beat them.’’

Or maybe a healthy one.

Derrick Rose (left knee) missed the season. Luol Deng (complications from a spinal tap) and Kirk Hinrich (bruised left calf) missed the semifinal series.

Deng continued to feel better Thursday. Hinrich was expected to recover fully with no surgery needed.

Thibodeau revealed that the plantar fasciitis in Joakim Noah’s right foot could require surgery but that Noah would try rehabilitation first.

“That hasn’t been determined,’’ Thibodeau said of Noah undergoing surgery. “Obviously, we’d like to avoid the surgery. He has responded a lot better. He has found something that has worked.

“We want him to get completely healthy That will be the focus, getting him back to 100 percent. He needs some rest, as most of the guys do. Same thing with Luol. We have to get him completely healthy again. Those are two players that we’ll be on top of right away.’’

The team has a $5 million option on Hamilton and almost certainly will buy him out for $1 million. They would like Robinson and Belinelli back, but the free-agent market likely will dictate otherwise.

“You have to look at all the aspects of what we’re doing, where we are salary-cap wise, what the market calls for,’’ Thibodeau said.

Bench mobbed

The Bulls will look for more shooting in the draft and free agency, but Thibodeau knows that the bench likely will have to again be revamped with a lot of one-year deals.

“That’s sort of the way the NBA is going,’’ Thibodeau said of building depth. “I also think we have a core of guys that will be back, so that will be helpful.’’

Pitch for Nazr

One reserve the Bulls could bring back is center Nazr Mohammed, who was huge off the bench the last few months.

“Yeah, I thought Nazr was tremendous,’’ Thibodeau said.

“Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity with him, but again, you don’t know what the market will call for.’’

Player to watch

Rookie Marquis Teague won’t have a very long break. The team has plans to get him back to Chicago soon to start working out and getting ready for Summer League ball.

“Huge, huge, and he’ll be back shortly,’’ Thibodeau said of the importance of Teague’s offseason. “Hopefully he can have a very productive summer, play well in the Summer League, and hit the ground running next season.’’

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baske...ight-foot.html

The Chicago Sun-Times believes Marco Belinelli will be with another team next season.

Belinelli showed his worth as an option on the perimeter next season and filled in admirably while playing a larger role than he should have in Chicago, and it's possible he's played his way into a multi-year deal with another team as a result. The Bulls will likely have to remake their bench once again.

Tom Thibodeau said he'd like to have Nazr Mohammed return next season.

"Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity with him, but again, you don’t know what the market will call for," Thibodeau said. It would be surprising if Mohammed got an offer above the veteran's minimum, so if the Bulls want him back, it shouldn't be hard to work out a new deal.

Tom Thibodeau said Wednesday he'd like the Bulls to add more shooting in the offseason.

The Bulls' perimeter game was sorely lacking this season due to injuries to Richard Hamilton, Marco Belinelli and Kirk Hinrich. We don't foresee Hamilton returning and Belinelli is slated for free agency. We could certainly see Chicago targeting a player like Kyle Korver this summer. Korver could be an ideal fit as a spot-up shooter, especially when defenses collapse on a healthy Derrick Rose driving the lane.

roto blurps

[_____]

1. I'm not sure why they are so excited about Nazr coming back. He wasn't as good as he showed in preseason nor as bad a I thought prior to signing him but we still need a better back up than him.

2. Deng returning from the spinal tap doesn't really get me excited. His wrist still seems to be the main issue and his legs are just gone either from minutes or from wear. Spinal tap wasn't the reason his shooting dropped off.

3. Kirk coming back just seems like more of a "till he gets hurt again"

4. If surgery will help Noah then get it done. I don't want a lingering issue with that ala Deng's wrist.

5. The idea seems to be to get a new bench and hope the starters stay healthy. Same starters who always seem injuried. Very wishful thinking.

6. If the plan is to lose Marco and Nate and the big haul is Korver. We're toast. Now if we brought Korver back and managed to keep Marco and Nate. That would be an incredible bench. Yes I know, won't happen.

[D1RoseJM]

Deng should get surgery on his wrist. His shooting was meh from his avg

[effen5]

Deng should get surgery on his wrist. His shooting was meh from his avg

Deng should've had it last year after the Olympics.

[Chitownhero1992]

I say everyone go get healthy, Deng get surgery, Noah get surgery, Hinrich go sit in ice for the next month, Rose go see a psychiatrist to become mentally ready...etc

We need full strength and full health for next year!

[toovey107]

Don't want to start a debate again here on the beaten topic but I guess I will. I'm sick of hearing and reading about how Hinrich will be back next season and he's a significant piece etc etc.

For one, the guy is made of glass.

And secondly, with Rose on the team and the way we've been constructed Hinrich is pretty useless. He's not a good shooter and he doesn't provide the playmaking ability we need once Rose exits the floor. That signing made sense for this season but in reality, it was a poor signing for the money.

Anyways, I will only accept the loss of Beli (which would irk me because I'd love to see him play off Rose) if we can bring back Korver.

Korvy's return

[KH12]

He is a significant piece though.

And I prefer Beli to Korver.

[toovey107]

I prefer Beli too but it would hurt less if Korver came back.

Significant in what way? I really don't see it. Certainly not at 4.5 mil or whatever he's making.

[DamnGoat]

I'd like to bring Marco back, but I don't see any scenario where Nate returns. He played his way into a 6th man role on some other team and the Bulls can't afford that.

It's good to bring Nazr back too. When Thibs actually played him he was pretty solid. But we still need to grab a backup C in the draft too.

[toovey107]

It's really annoying at this point to me too. It seems like the Heat can bring in all these pretty solid threats (over the hill, but incredibly useful) for vet mins and we're paying 4.5 to Hinrich and cannot afford to keep players like nate and Marco who we really need IMO (shooters/playmakers)

[effen5]

I'm really the opposite of KH. I think Hinrich is a waste of money and is not a significant piece. Especially with the return of Rose, I think Nate would be more useful than Hinrich next year.

I also prefer Korver to Beli because we need a consistent threat outside.

[KH12]

I prefer Beli too but it would hurt less if Korver came back.

Significant in what way? I really don't see it. Certainly not at 4.5 mil or whatever he's making.

You got a point there, don't think Korver comes back though unless he takes a discount. I love Korver (probably more than Beli), Marco just fits this team better now and moving forward.

It's basically $4 million flat next year. He's still a good player. He runs the team well and plays very good defense. I think he's a perfect backup for Rose. Rose recruited him, Thibs loves him, obviously Paxson loves him, teammates wanted him back. I don't see the problem. Rose will not have played in 18 months, we need Kirk.

[gocubs2118]

If Hinrich is considered a significant piece, then this roster needs a serious upgrade in talent.

[KH12]

If Hinrich is considered a significant piece, then this roster needs a serious upgrade in talent.

Depends on your definition of significant. He's obviously not on our key piece's levels but he is a big piece off the bench and you saw how important he is to the team because our record was terrible without him.

[toovey107]

If we were say the NY Knicks then sure. We have the same issues we've had for years now. The lack of playmakers and the ability for someone to put the ball in the basket. Hinrich provides neither. We are already an elite defensive team with or without Hinrich so I don't see much value there really.

his money would have been much more useful in bringing in another shooter to open the floor up. Plus, ideally our back up PG should play about 10 mins a game. Hell, I think Teague could handle that or bring in someone for the vet min.

And on top of everything, he's extremely injury prone at this point. He cannot even be relied on to play.