Ask Sam | Sam Smith opens his mailbag | 07.19.2013

It’s been a while since I've written as I was in total bummed out mode last season with no Derrick. I just saw Marcus Camby was bought out by the Raptors. He’s “rumored” (at least by ESPN) to be going to Houston (they’re saying he has a house there) once he clears waivers. Does he have anything left? If so, any chance he comes to the Bulls to split the non-Noah big man minutes with Nazr? He would seem to get even more playing time in Chicago than in Houston behind Dwight and Omer.
Marc Brauer

What’s Joel Przybilla’s contract status? For some reason I see him destined to be in a Bulls uniform, given the lack of backup centers still out there.
Elijah Humble

What do you think the rest of the Bulls offseason is going to look like? Who will we sign? Trade? What about next year?
Mohammed Ziny

On the Tyrus Thomas front, where he will land?
Mike Sera

Are you surprised at all the Bulls didn't take a look at Nick Young? I know he is a head case sometimes but the kid can flat out score. The Lakers picked him up for the minimum and I was thinking he would probably liked to have gone to a contender for the minimum rather than the Lakers.
Zach Vodicka

After Malcolm Thomas's incredible performance in Summer League, do you think the Bulls should use him as a rotation player? Or should the Bulls sign a veteran center like Marcus Camby?
Ronnie Tots

Carmelo Anthony will most likely opt out of his contract next summer. I know LeBron, D Wade, Bosh, and many other big names will be out there but I think that the Bulls need to go after Carmelo. I do think he would be interested in playing with Rose and Noah. He wouldn't have to guard the best offensive player on the other team anymore with Butler and Gibson. Also Carmelo and Rose are both unselfish players who I think would mesh well together. Do you think the Bulls should try hard to get Carmelo?
Jon Somers

Elton Brand made a lot of money in his career. [He] will be miserable in Atlanta.
Mike Queenzworst

I'm constantly running into Lamarcus Aldridge (stories) and I believe he's genuinely interested in joining the bulls. Rose and him would be a dynasty. Deng, Taj, Mirotic, Charlotte pick? Aldridge is the answer to beating the Heat! We need to make bold moves if we're going to win a championship. Bulls can make logical offers and make this happen. I don't believe [the] Blazers will insist on Noah when they know Aldridge does not want to be there! According to CSN Northwest, the Portland Trail Blazers and representatives of LaMarcus Aldridge met recently to discuss trade scenarios. Please stop wasting time and let's win now!
Mark Bakr

Do you think that Mike Miller is a good fit for the Bulls? He is a solid veteran but he has also his best age behind him. The Bulls could use another backcourt player and if he is available for the [veteran minimum]. I think that he is a real possibility.
John Jalali

Have the Bulls expressed any interest in Greg Oden? It seems like a low risk, potentially high reward proposition for both parties that’s at least worth exploring. I’m rooting for Oden and I hope that can salvage his basketball career. But I can’t stomach the thought of him doing it as member of the Heat.
Brad Schweikert

How do you [feel] about Lamar Odom? Do you think he would be a good pick up for the Bulls?
Spencer Jones

Watching the Summer League games, it is obvious that Goudelock can shoot. Given that he has not been signed, he must have some serious deficiences. What are they?
Joe Lavely

Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Marco Belinelli received nearly identical contracts (2 years/$3mil per year) from the Bulls and Spurs, respectively. As it's already been reported, the Bulls evidently chose Dunleavy Jr. on account of his more consistent outside shot (which becomes even more of a factor with Rose's return). I like Dunleavy Jr. as a player and believe he's a positive asset for the team, but I think that, overall, the team has lost more than it's gained in essentially swapping Belinelli for Dunleavy Jr. Belinelli may not be a top ten league three-point shooter as Dunleavy Jr has sometimes been, but he's a far better creator, he came up big in key games last year, and he's significantly younger. Did the Bulls make the right move?
Brendan Rose

Given the value of Omer Asik as an NBA asset, do you think the Bulls made a mistake letting him go and then signing Taj Gibson to the same contract?
Thomas Deneen

You are telling me that the Bulls who are trying to win a title now, value Teague more than Nate? I can see if its a rebuilding situation but Nate provides something that Teague cannot, instant offense and energy. If the Bulls truly see themselves contending this season, there is no way they make that roster choice in my opinion.
Kenneth Cohen

Since Taj played center at times for the Bulls, wouldn't it make sense just to use him as a 3rd option and sign Malcolm Thomas? We already have plenty of point guards, and the free agent market for center is getting smaller and smaller.
Mike Roth

I know we're looking for a good defensive back up center to back up Joakim/Nazr - is there any possibility that we'd go after Kyrylo Fesenko? I know he went to play in Ukraine after being on our training camp team and playing in preseason. He seems to have the size, weight, energy/defense of a Gorgui Dieng. And Thibs is far more likely to play rookie centers than shooters.
Jake Disco

The Clippers signing Byron Mullens to a 2 year deal. This is the big Chris Paul loves. Will be huge off the bench for them. Sterling going all in. Love this move.
Mike Sutera

What's going on with Nate Robinson?
Charles James

I keep hearing from the local radio media how the Bulls have unrealistic expectations for this coming season. The claim is that Indiana is going to be too good now and they are better than the Bulls. Mostly this is focused on Paul George and how he will stop Derrick Rose therefore making the rest of the team useless. When the Bulls played the Pacers a few years back Paul George did a masterful job of not stopping Derrick Rose from averaging 27 points and 7 assists for that series. Plus Rose played the last 4 games with a sprained ankle. This talk is beginning to remind me of the summer after Jordan returned. I remember hearing that Jordan was done and that the Bulls wouldn’t be able to compete with the up and coming Pacers and Magic. How did that turn out? Can you explain to me how a Bulls team without Deng, Hinrich, a healthy Noah and Rose won one game against Miami and were in all but one of those games are not considered one of the top 2 teams in the conference when healthy and how it is unrealistic for the Bulls to consider themselves a contender?
Jonpaul Gauthier