Bulls/NBA Notebook
Bulls have eye on Songaila
Saturday, August 27, 2005

By Paul Ladewski
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The Bulls' frontcourt could get even more crowded with the addition of restricted free-agent forward Darius Songaila in the next few days.

Such a move would make center Eddy Curry even more expendable. Indications are the New York Knicks still may want to take Curry, a restricted free agent, off the Bulls' hands.

According to published reports, the Knicks continue to monitor the Curry situation closely in hopes they may be able to acquire him before the start of their preseason camp.

While the Knicks recently addressed their need for a big man with the addition of free agent Jerome James, the 7-foot-1, 272-pound James is more of a banger than a scorer. As an established low-post threat, Curry might be an ideal complement for James in the middle.

It's unclear what new Knicks head coach Larry Brown thinks about Curry as a player, but operations chief Isiah Thomas is known to be a Curry supporter. Curry is also close friends with Knicks guard Jamal Crawford, his former Bulls teammate.

Bulls general manager John Paxson did not return phone calls the last two days.

In the meantime, the Bulls front office continues to wait to hear from Curry's agent, Leon Rose, about an insurance plan for his client. As the Daily Southtown first reported last month, even though Curry has been cleared to resume physical activity, the NBA declined to offer such protection because of the heart arrhythmia he experienced late last season.

With center Malik Allen and forward Othella Harrington in the fold, and Songaila and forward Tyson Chandler expected to be aboard shortly, the Bulls figure to be well-stocked on the front line.

If Curry were to be traded, Chandler could move to the middle, where he and Allen would split time. With Curry out of action during the playoffs, Chandler spent a great deal of time playing center. When not in foul trouble, he acquitted himself well.

In that case, the team still would have Harrington, Songaila and veteran Antonio Davis available at power forward. Small forward Andres Nocioni could move to the power position as part of a smaller lineup.

Songaila met with Bulls officials for two days earlier in the week, but there was no announcement he had signed an offer sheet, which his previous team, the Sacramento Kings, would have 10 days to match.

The Bulls could offer their so-called $1 million exception (actually $1.67 million) to Songaila, who was paid $1.6 million last season, his second in the NBA.

When the Kings recently signed free-agent forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a one-time All-Star, it became clear the 27-year-old Songaila no longer was in their immediate plans.

"The roster we have at the moment, the way it's comprised, are the guys who will play all the minutes," said Geoff Petrie, the Kings' president of operations.

In the role of defender-rebounder, Songaila averaged 7.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 20.6 minutes in 81 games (21 starts) last season.

Although not known for his ability to score, the 6-foot-9, 248-pound Songaila possesses a good touch for a big man. The native of Lithuania converted 53 percent of his field-goal tries and 85 percent of free-throw attempts last season.

Meanwhile, it appears guard Jannero Pargo has played his final game as a Bull in his hometown.

The Robeson High School product has been courted by Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers in recent weeks, and indications are the Bulls will not stand in his way.

Pargo appeared in 32 games with the Bulls last season and made it clear he would seek an expanded role for 2005-06.

Rockets re-sign Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo signed a two-year deal with the Houston Rockets and plans to retire after the 2006-07 season.

"I don't see myself playing after this contract," the 39-year-old center said.

Mutombo's return gives the team a solid backup to All-Star center Yao Ming. The 7-foot-2 Mutombo is an eight-time All-Star and four-time defensive player of the year.

Varejao to return to Brazil for tests on injured shoulder

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao will return to his native Brazil next week for medical tests on a right shoulder injury sustained in a World Championship qualifying game.

Varejao dislocated his shoulder in the final minutes of Brazil's 96-94 loss to the United States on Thursday. He said Friday that he would return to Brazil on Monday and then go to Cleveland a week later to see team doctors and get treatment.

The 22-year-old said he wasn't sure if he had damaged ligaments or if he would need surgery.

Varejao said he was disappointed to miss the rest of the tournament, which runs through Sept. 4.

i'd give curry a 3 year deal for $20 million (even if he can't get insurance). We'd finally not be undersized.

i would trade Q + mo taylor for curry at 2 years $27 mil with a team option for a 3rd year for another $14 mil.

why?

1. the 3rd year option gives us the flexibility if we want to get under the cap.
2. we'd have to give up a G b/c that's what chicago needs.
3. with this high $$$ value, chicago would not want to re-sign him to that amount guaranteed.
4. chicago gets a post player in return for only a 2 year deal.
5. and if curry can never play again, he's only on the books until after 06/07 and give us MORE cap relief in 07.

No way do I trade Q.....Q is a good player....too good to give away I know that.

Maybe Chicago would be content with 1st round draft picks. I really dunno who the Knicks could trade them since Chicago has a nice crop of power fwds themselves....young ones at that.

Curry splitting time with Jerome would be nice. James practicing everyday with Curry would make for a very interesting practice!!!
Something like this:



Would be nice but how?

How realistic is it that we land Curry?

I think he is a great young player who would really blossom under coach Brown. With Curry at center and James backing him up we could really be a threat in the East.

I would like the addition of Curry. As long as he's medically cleared to play, I don't see any problems whatsoever with his health. I for one don't want to trade Sweetney OR Q for him, like some have already proposed, Q was just added to this team and he's going to be a valuable guard in our rotation, lets give him a chance here. Same goes for Sweets, lets give Mike a chance to show what he can do as the featured Knicks post player like he is this year. Who knows, maybe all Mike needed was the mindset that he was going to be starting and getting starting minutes from the getgo to get his game to where most of think he is capable of playing.

In all honesty, I'm not sure what I would give up for Curry. Obviously guys like Mo T and Rose would be at the front of the line, but I doubt the Bulls want either one of them with the young roster they have there and enough players at F and Songailia coming. They are also set at guard with Duhon, Henreich, Pargo and Benny Gordon. I doubt they are going to just let Curry walk either... its a tough trade for the Knicks.

As much as I like Sweets I would give him up for Curry(if he's cleared to play) 13 & 9 starting PFs are a dime a dozen. 7footers who average 17pts and get better each year aren't. AND Curry is on another level as a consistent low post scorer while Sweetney is just a threat inside. It would take at least Sweetney to get a deal done.

I wouldn't give up an expiring contract for Curry. The exp. contracts need to be part of a deal landing a better player with less risk than Curry.

Chicago, if they EVER entertained this for a second, wouldn't take on Taylor or Malik. Only package they'd consider is a Crawford/Q-Rich + Ariza/Sweetney deal.


Somethn like Crawford + Sweetney......Q-Rich + Sweetney for Curry would def. entice them.

Quentins from Chicago.....wonder when his "Just-traded" status wears off...

Posted by BRIGGS:

id be willing to give up richardson for curry, and sign curry to a 3 yr contract worth the same value of Q's next 3 years--although year 3 is a team option. if something doesn't go right, all we lost was 4 yrs of salary from a 2 G who isnt worth the contract

this might entice the bulls who want a big shooting G

its not unlike Kwame for caron Butler and Chucky Atkins

I agree, Q is expendable.. we have nate, crawford, ariza... for a low-post presence this is worth it.