First off, I'm not a fan of the Sloth, I mean Sleuth, as Jerry Krause has
gotten people to call him.  In fact, this offseason has many Chicago Bulls
fans thinking of him more in terms of an albatross around the team's neck,
not a competent GM of a rebuilding franchise.

But, it would be foolish to consider the season already lost, since many
teams are still needing to add or subtract players and the NBA salary cap is
making this difficult for some of the major players.  Also, the free agent
money is starting to dry up and there are still a lot of decent names
sitting without agreements.  Finally, the Bulls do match up with some teams
on possible trades.

Hope in the Windy City?  Maybe, but Krause had better play his hand much
better in the second half of the offseason of he'll be right up there with
Isaiah Rider on the NBA most (least) wanted list.

First, let's look at trades that need a go-between.  The Clippers could
help, but that organization still makes the Jordan-less Bulls look like
World Champs.  While many NBA execs would rather sleep with Roseanne Barr
than help Jerry Krause, this year may make strange bedfellows.  If Portland
is going to make a deal with the Knicks, they may need the Bulls to pull it
off.  Krause still wants to unload some veteran salary and may throw Corey
Benjamin or Hersey Hawkins on the table as the price of doing business.
Since Elton Brand makes Marcus Camby unnecessary, the return to the Bulls
would come through Portland, in the form of either PF-C Jermaine O'Neal
(whom the Bulls covet) or guard Bonzi Wells.  Portland GM Bob Whitsitt will
offer Steve Smith, but the Sloth needs to get O'Neal for credibility.  He
might have to throw in Marcus Fizer, the PF-SF experiment fom Coach Tim
Floyd's previous job (Iowa State) or Jamal Crawford, but offering either one
might convince the Blazers to package O'Neal and rookie Erick Barkley, which
would give the Bulls a starting line-up of players at their true position.

As for the Free Agents still out there, Charlotte center Brad Miller seems
to be a natural for the Bulls system, depending on whether a Portland trade
happens.

Fan favorite Toni Kukoc is still not getting the offer he wants in Philly
and would supply instant offense in the 2-3 position off the bench or as a
starter. Another option, although a riskier one because of health concerns
involves Heat PG Tim Hardaway, a Chicago native.  With Tim's former coaches,
Tex Winter and Norm Ellenberger, both now on the Bulls payroll, Tim might be
just the stabilizing influence for a year or two to help in the development
of a Jamal Crawford or AJ Guyton, both from this year's draft.

Even if the Portland-Knicks-Bulls situation blows up, and Brian Grant may
cause that to happen still this week, the Bulls and Blazers may swap a few
parts to see if both can be better situated for the 2000-1 season.  O'Neal
and Barkley are the possibles, but the combination of Trader Bob and the
Sleuth could produce anything.

Number 24 pick, C Dalibor Bagaric, is probably not a Bull this year, but
previous draftee Dragan Tarlac, a 6'11" SF-PF-C, is a possibility.  Khalid
El-Amin and Jake Voskuhl seem to be short-term bench fodder at best.

So what does the future hold?  Maybe a lineup with Brad Miller-Elton
Brand-Toni Kukoc-Ron Mercer-Tim Hardaway starting and Ron Artest, Jermaine
O'Neal, Jamal Crawford, Fred Hoiberg, Dragan Tarlac, AJ Guyton and Michael
Ruffin coming off the bench.  No, it won't be a championship team, but it
could make playoff noises.  After 17 and 13 win seasons, a little noise
might just keep Jerry Krause peeking out from behind the curtains in the
United Center for a few more years.

- Ron Murphy
   Belvidere, IL
   idlehands@sltic.com 

8/9/2000
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