PREFACE: i have no "source". now then... it is generally accepted around the nba that toni kukoc is on the block. he's a relatively young guy with playoff experience, a sweet shot, etc. it's also become recently known that we have a $4.5 million exception. might this be enough? if so, he would fill our vacancy at small forward @ a reasonable price.
I initially thought it might not be a bad idea, but then I saw that he's shooting 38% this year and he'll be 32 later in the year. If he was even a couple of years younger I wouldn't mind it.
Keep him!!!! We don't want him. He is a potent offensive player at times, but takes unlimited ill-advised shots, cannot play a lick of defense, and is not necessarily a good athlete.
Let's see, Kukoc is 32 years old, he has a bad back, he's a free agent after this season,he's talked about going back to Europe next year and he plays no defense what so ever. Why would the Rockets have any interest? Chicago's not going to take on any additional salary unless they get young guys with potential or draft picks. Are you going to deal Thomas, Drew, Mobley or first round picks for an injury prone, 32 year old that might walk at the end of the year?
No, wait, it sounds great. The one thing we have not tried is an aging, fragile member of Bulls dinasty who looked great with Jordan and now expects to be treated like royalty because of his Jordan-customized rings. Can't wait! CBrownFanClub
"No, wait, it sounds great. The one thing we have not tried is an aging, fragile member of the [Rockets] dinasty who looked great with [Olajuwon] and now expects to be treated like royalty because of his [Olajuwon]-customized ring." Hey CBFC, it's funny that with some subtle modifications to your post, it kinda looks like you're talking about Chucky Brown. (Just kidding! I still want my membership.) [This message has been edited by TheFreak (edited February 16, 2000).]
So much for that Kukoc Deal. It's off to Philadelphia... http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2000/0216/360681.html
Forget about Kukoc. According to 610 AM, the following trade is about to go down: Golden State gets Hughes & Owen. Philly gets Kukoc. Chicago gets GS's #1 & Starks.
I wouldn't waste that trade exception just yet. That is probably the most valuable thing we have had in a long time. Let's wait until this summer to see what we can do with it.
ESPN just confirmed it. It happened in a three way trade involving Golden State (gets Hughes and Owens), Philadelphia (Kukoc), and Chicago (Starks and a 1st rounder from GS). I think Golden State and Chicago got the best of this one... Kukoc simply isn't worth Larry Hughes.... he's a one year rental, and the Sixers aren't even in a position to win a championship.
Too bad it's over Tony Twococks was traded to Philly. Hughes and Owens go to GS, and Chicago gets Starks and #1 pick.
Golden State isn't likely to be done. It seems they now have a fairly large pack of forwards on their team. The question is, what are they planning to do next?
Figures, I go to break the news, and my keyboard locks up....such is life! [This message has been edited by Curly (edited February 16, 2000).] [This message has been edited by Curly (edited February 16, 2000).]
oh well, no toni in houston. i don't see him being worth larry hughes, either. apparently, however, philly's trying to clear some cap room. i suppose they figga that toni can play the 3 for them for the rest of the year then go. i wonder who they plan on pursuing this offseason. on second thought...who gives a rat's @$$ who they're pursuing. i wonder who we'll be pursuing?
Philadelphia: I think Kukoc will fit in nicely. In Europe he was allowed to freelance, handling the ball, passing, or shooting whenever he felt like it. And he loved it. Perhaps Iverson will freelance and open things up for him. Chicago's triple-post offense forced him to learn a structured offense for the first time. And it never quite looked like he took to it. Philadelphia should give him the opportunity to open up his game a little more. A frustrating talent at times, because he too often confines his offensive game to heaving perimeter bombs, with little success. He's a great post up player, but he never ventures into the post to try his luck. He might just be the worst entry passer I've ever seen, he "might" be this because he never completes an entry pass, he fakes inside and then swings the ball around the perimeter. He played tremendous defense against San Antonio's David Robinson and Indiana's Rik Smits at center in 1998, proof that he could become a fantastic defender if he wanted. Jordan claims that he "sometimes wants to choke the s*** out of Toni," and it's easy to see why sometimes. He was unable to win games for the rebuilding Bulls, and has been accused of malignering. At this stage of his career, he needs to compliment...Signed to a 6-year, 24.2 dollar deal through 1999-00. [This message has been edited by PhiSlammaJamma (edited February 16, 2000).]
