Nick Friedell

  (2:31 PM)

What's going on everybody? Let's get this chat rolling. The Cubs are already making me upset ...

RalphL (downers grove, IL)

How often will we be receiving Derrick Rose rehab updates? Withdrawl is starting to settle in.

Nick Friedell

  (2:32 PM)

For the next 8-12 months, Ralph ... don't worry.

James California [via mobile]

This summer do you see the Bulls trying to acquire a free agent point guard (starter quality) to replace d rose until he comes back like a steve nash?

Nick Friedell

  (2:32 PM)

Like who? They don't have much money. I don't think there are many guys like that on the market.

Nick Baron (Gurnee, Illinois)

Would the Bulls be better off trading away Carlos Boozer for somebody who can actually go strong to the rim?

Nick Friedell

  (2:33 PM)

Yep, but nobody wants to deal for Boozer and his contract. The Bulls are stuck.

Ruben (Chicago)

Nick! Can we please amnesty Boozer?! I realize there's no one really available to replace him but we are a better team with Taj on the floor.

Nick Friedell

  (2:34 PM)

If you want to write Jerry Reinsdorf a check for $50 million he'd be happy to help you out.

Tarun (San Francisco)

Nick, help me understand. Nikola Mirotic's buyout is $2-3M - he looks the real deal. Why are we not talking about a buyout and have him here next season? what is 2-3M matter for a player like that?

Nick Friedell

  (2:36 PM)

The Bulls can only offer $500,000 towards a buyout as part of the CBA.

Al G. (Southside )

Nick! Eric Gordon, Eric Gordon, Eric Gordon! What's our chances to get him at the #2 we need and move R.I.P to the bench? Is there a chance for Monte Ellis? If not, the Bulls should just tank it next year and retool in 2013.

Nick Friedell

  (2:36 PM)

The Bulls would have to make some trades to have that happen and I don't think they are going to do that.

Kyle (Schaumburg)

Considering Scalabrine's playing days are most likely over, do you see the Bulls signing him on as an assistant coach?

Nick Friedell

  (2:37 PM)

I think they'd like to -- but I think Scal is headed into television.

Mitchell (NYC)

Love your work, IF DRose does come back next year it will be at end of season and not 100%. What do the Bulls do at PG? Watson clearly at best is a back-up who was exposed badly. For Bulls to compete next year they wil need to replace DRose {which is very hard}. How about a run at Steve Nash? Other then him the Bulls will be lucky to win 45 games next year. Thoughts??

Nick Friedell

  (2:39 PM)

Steve Nash isn't coming to Chicago, everybody. The Bulls don't have money and they have taken several steps back towards a title in the past few weeks. C.J. may be the best option but it will be interesting to see if Bulls pick up his option at almost $4 mil next year.

Nate (Chicago)

Can we expect to see a lot more of Jimmy Butler next year in place of Brewer?

Nick Friedell

  (2:41 PM)

That's what I think is going to happen but we will see. Ronnie said that Gar and Pax told him they would do all they could to bring him back.

Tom (IL)

What do you think Taj's trade value is worth? Assuming Boozer is not going anywhere, maybe trading Taj could solve some of our biggest problems?

Nick Friedell

  (2:43 PM)

The Bulls need another 20 point a game scorer to play alongside Derrick when he returns. As good as Taj is, he won't bring back someone like that in a trade.

Josh (Chicago)

With Bosh getting hurt, the Bulls injurys are even more depressing now, I think Bull matched up great against the Spurs (who I think can take the Thunder out) ... bummer

Nick Friedell

  (2:45 PM)

Trust me, Josh. No one is more depressed than Thibs and Derrick are.

terry (joliet)

Why is everyone throwing Boozer under the bus? Yeah he may not show up well in the playoffs but he is still a good scorer. I personally think everyone needs to get over his injuries two years ago because he showed up last year. The whole team didn't play good these playoffs not just him. What do you think?

Nick Friedell

  (2:46 PM)

Is this Gar from Deerfield?

Mike (Illinois)

In your opinion, what can the Bulls do to compete for a title in 12-13? Anything? Or is this upcoming season pretty much going to be a lost season?

Nick Friedell

  (2:48 PM)

I think next season for the Bulls is a wash. They should focus on getting Rose and Deng back and healthy, maybe surprise a team or two in the playoffs, and then focus on '13-14.

Mike (Illinois)

When does the Bobcats draft pick they owe us become unprotected? They are going to be terrible for a number of years to come and it would be nice to maybe steal a top 5 pick for Tyrus Thomas.

Nick Friedell

  (2:48 PM)

2016.

Fred (Schaumburg)

Do you think D Rose will be the same player he was before he tore his acl when he comes back next year?

Nick Friedell

  (2:51 PM)

I think it's going to take a solid year until Derrick finally looks like his old self again. He's going to attack rehab hard so I think he will return to his old form at some point -- but it's going to take a while.

RalphL (Downers Grove, IL)

I know Derrick is avoiding this (for good reason), but will he speak on his injury in the near future? There's no one better to hear it from than the man himself.

Nick Friedell

  (2:52 PM)

I'm sure Derrick will speak at some point soon. I think he's just focusing on rehab right now.

Bobby (Oak Lawn)

Will post surgery Deng go to hole more? Was it cause the wrist he never drove the lane?

Nick Friedell

  (2:53 PM)

I think he will. He definitely (and understandably) got a little more tentative going to the rim after he injured his wrist.

Nick Friedell

  (2:57 PM)

Listen, Boozer isn't going anywhere. To all asking -- save that question for next year. Boozer isn't getting amnestied, the Bulls can't trade him, he will be a Bull next year.

E (Illinois)

When are you going to help me out and karaoke LFO's "Summer Girls" with me?

Nick Friedell

  (2:57 PM)

Name the time and place and I'll be there.

Thomas (Hinsdale)

Is Kirk hinrich on his way back home?

Nick Friedell

  (2:59 PM)

Only if he takes a major, major discount.

Matt (Lincoln Park)

How much do you think Watson's injuries affected his play? I know he played poorly in the playoffs but if it was partially due to his injuries I'm willing to give him a break and I feel a little bit better about the PG position next year.

Nick Friedell

  (3:06 PM)

There's no way of knowing for sure. C.J. earned himself a lot of respect from his teammates from the way he continued to battle through it all -- but the truth is that C.J. just didn't play well in the playoffs. He struggled badly. If he was hurt that badly, he shouldn't have been out there.

Justin (LaGuardia)

Hey Nick - you just said that if CJ was hurt that badly, he shouldn't have been out there... Would you have wanted Mike James and JL3 to run the point the entire game? I agree that there is a point where you have to take yourself out of the situation but James and JL3 were not viable options.

Nick Friedell

  (3:11 PM)

C.J. was absolutely the best option -- my point is that if CJ was hurting to a point where he thought he couldn't go, he and Thibs should have been more cautious. Obviously, JL3 and James wouldn't have been ideal, but maybe they could have done a little more, at least offensively.

Brian (lake view) [via mobile]

So of the three korver, brewer, and Watson I know we may not sign all 3...but what are the odds that we don't sign any of the three?? Korver is the only one I really think we need to keep

Nick Friedell

  (3:17 PM)

I think it's 50/50. The reality is that the Bulls don't have a lot of money and may fill up the rest of the roster with guys with with smaller cap numbers. We'll see.

bobby (Oak Lawn)

I think Derrick will come back and be better then before. I hope he will work on his post game and cut down on attacking the rim as much. He would still be top 10 if he couldnt go to the lane as much and his shot got better.

Nick Friedell

  (3:20 PM)

Derrick's going to have to have to change his game a little bit -- he's still going to attack and he's going to be faster than most but he is going to have to work on his jumper a little more and open things up for himself in other areas.

Nick Friedell

  (3:22 PM)

I am out of here everybody. I will talk to you guys again soon.