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Off-Season at a Glance: Chicago Bulls

By SheedsWeed, Rashod. / Bballcentral.com Writing Staff
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Chicago Bulls

If any team has made more headlines this off-season, it would have to be the Chicago Bulls. Fresh off their mini playoff run, the Bulls acquired ten year veteran Ben Wallace from the Pistons, after a lucrative offer of $60 million. The Pistons reportedly made an offer of $52 million, a deal in which Ben wasn't thrilled with, even though it would have made him the richest Piston. After Ben was on board, Chicago traded away seven foot one Tyson Chandler to New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets for the rights to high flyer J.R. Smith, and P.J. Brown. J.R. Smith was later dealt for traveling guard Howard Eisley, and two second round picks for 2007. But to rewind to draft day in New York, the Chicago Bulls got a lucky with the New York Knicks losing 59 games, their worst record since 1985. Chicago was awarded the New York's first round pick, which was pick number two.

After Bargnani was selected number one, the freakishly athletic Tyrus Thomas from LSU, was drafted number two to the Bulls. The Bulls also had a lottery pick player in Thabo Sefolosha, a Switzerland player with a lot of upside. Even with all those players added to the team, the only players lost this off-season has been Eric Piatowski, who signed with the Suns, and Darius Songaila, who signed with the Wizards. Jannero Pargo is Chicago's only remaining free agent. With all these transactions, there is no doubt that the Chicago Bulls, who previously were considered a second or third-tier team, are now championship contenders.

Players Added
Draft - Tyrus Thomas (draft pick number two), Thabo Sefolosha (draft pick number thirteen)
Free Agency - Ben Wallace (from Detroit, via free agency)
Trades - Traded Tyson Chandler for P.J. Brown, and J.R. Smith. Traded J.R. Smith for Howard Eisley, and two second round draft picks for the 2007 draft.
Free Agents - Jannero Pargo
Players Lost - Eric Piatkowski (to Phoenix, via free agency), Darius Songalia (to Washington, after he was waived, via free agency), J.R. Smith (trade), Othella Harrington (waived)

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