At the end of September, Wang Jun participated in Bull Media Day.`

In the core makeup photos, the four Bulls are Wang Jun, Chandler, Hinrich and the new arrival of Rashad Lewis.

It is a clear statement that Lorden did not appear in the core. As long as Lewis stayed, it would be difficult for Lorden to receive a high salary renewal in the future, let alone renew the contract in advance.

The 2oo8-year-old Luolden's four-year rookie contract expires. Before that, if other teams are interested in him, they can consider negotiating. As long as the chips are right, the Bulls will never mind sending him away.

What Paxson wants to get is a rookie who does not take up salary space and maintain salary space.

Luo Erden was not depressed by this. As long as he was still with the Bulls, he would try his best. If he couldn't play well this season, he would have to leave in the last year. Wherever he went depends on his agent.

David Lee was not regarded as the core either, and the coaching staff was still investigating and training stages. If he wanted to become a qualified second or third leader, he had to do more on the defensive end.

This time, he played preseason for the Bulls, and there were as many as 7 players without a contract, among which Wang Jun saw several familiar faces.

Swingman Matt Barnes played the summer league with Wang Jun for the Heat in his rookie season, and was a blue-collar defensive outside defender. He looked handsome among black men, but with earrings and tattoos, he looked like a gang member, giving people a feeling of uneasiness.

The two didn't communicate much at that time and didn't say anything after that. Barnes changed four teams in three seasons, played 50 games for the 76ers last season, and was able to score 3 points and 19 rebounds. It was an absolute marginal person.`

Power forward Morris Taylor, who was cut by the Knicks and signed a bad contract with the Rockets.

Wang Jun was impressed by this. Because he was basically not defensive, he was like playing counterattacks. Now he has made a living from running the Bulls and wants to win the championship with his legs. If he can improve his defensive enthusiasm, his body and shooting will be good.

Adrian Griffin, the Mavericks were responsible for defending Wang Jun in the finals last season. His offensive ability was too poor and the Mavericks did not renew his contract.

Adrian played with the Bulls in 2oo4-2oo5 season. He averaged 97 minutes per game, 22 points and 21 rebounds. The management appreciated his defensive ability. He played for a few minutes as a marginal man and worked hard on the court. At least it would not become a defensive loophole. This time he had a high chance to stay and serve as a substitute for Wang Jun.

Those who are faced with the rookies are undrafted, as well as marginalists from other teams. Louis Ammondson, Scott Marit, Eric Chinovitz, etc.

There are not many outstanding veterans in the free market this time. Even if Payton can play a famous one, he has signed the Bulls. In the end, only three of these people can stay.

Wang Jun does not appear. It is good news for the role players, and there is more time and opportunity to perform.

Wang Jun mentioned the "injury" incident in an interview. "I played too many games this summer and kept in shape for the regular season, so I have to rest for the preseason. I promise not to miss the opening game, so fans are relieved."

The reporter asked: "Who do you think the Bulls' biggest opponent on the road to defending this season?"

"I didn't think about it. No matter who I met in the end, I would defeat them. `No need to defend the title, it would be a failure for the Bulls." Wang Jun replied.

The reporter asked Wang Jun to comment on the new player who played the preseason. Wang Jun said a few perfunctory words. He didn't understand how to evaluate it at all. He would offend people if he said random words.

He plans to watch the preseason at home and it will not be too late to see who stays before evaluating.

Wang Jun did not participate in the training camp, went home to rest, and was allowed to not watch the game on the spot. Both the coaching staff and the manager believed that it was the most important thing to restore his strength.

On January 11, the preseason officially began.

The Bulls made their debut on the 12th, and Hinrich was also very tired, and the coaching staff finally decided not to let him play.

Du Hong performed well as a point guard and organized the offensive organization. Veteran Payton is also experienced and the Bulls' No. 1 position is stronger this season.

With two generals missing, the Bulls still defeated the Grizzlies 93-85. Without Paul Gasol, the Grizzlies are weak teams.

Gasol had surgery and was about to miss the regular season for about 6-8 weeks. They had no hope of making it to the playoffs this season, mainly to train the swingman Rudy Guy, who was exchanged from the Rockets.

Then the Bulls lost two consecutive games to the Celtics.

The Bulls suffered a loss in the inside, Perkins defended Chandler, and Al Jefferson on the offensive end was also impressive. He was very strong, with excellent low post footsteps and central shot ability, and David Lee, Chandler, and Sangela could not defend one-on-one.

After Lei Allen joined, the Celtics' outside line increased significantly. They also played well. Ordinary players could not defend him, their fame was not very good, and their strength was considered a first-class star.

In three more games, the Bulls defeated the Bucks, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves.

The first two teams did not have the strongest lineup. The Timberwolves played seriously, but the players were not motivated. While playing the game, you can tell that Garnett was in a bad mood by looking at his expression.

In the summer, Garnett kept shouting and trying to leave, but no team offered the right bargaining chips. He wanted to go to a strong team that could compete for the championship, but when it comes to a player like him who is the top three in the league's salary, he had to exchange for multiple players, and it would be difficult to compete for the championship after the exchange.

For the Timberwolves, Garnett is no longer a non-sale product.

When his contract expires, he will be 32 years old. There is still three years left. The third year is the player option. You can choose to become a libero after the end of the 2oo7-o8 season. How big is the next contract for the Timberwolves? Garnett will give him another 100 million? Then see Garnett leads the team to get out of the regular season or make a passionate effort to the second round of the playoffs?

If you don’t give a big contract, Garnett might be poached, and the Timberwolves won nothing, so the early trading trend is imperative.

In the last game, the Bulls lost to the Raptors and achieved a record of 4 wins and 3 losses in the preseason, but no one underestimated them because of this. The core players played casually, and there were two who didn't.

The only player on the edge is Barnes, who is very active in defense, he is 2o1cm tall and weighs 1o2kg, and his confrontation is good.

On the offensive end, Barnes was able to shoot open balls. He was not idle during the holidays and worked hard to train and made great progress in shooting.

Paxson made a quick decision to sign a two-year contract of 380,000 yuan with Barnes, which was fully guaranteed in the first year and the team option in the second year.

Paxson's shrewdness lies in coordinating the overall situation. He knows that the team's salary difficulties in the next few years may have to pay luxury taxes. Finding a cheap person who can defend is definitely worth it. Barnes can be substitutes at 2, 3, and 4.

The Bulls' 13-man list has been confirmed.

Center: Tyson Chandler, Marik Allen, Dalius Sangela.

Power forwards: David Lee, Rashad Lewis, Louis Ammondson.

Small forward: Rollden, Matt Barnes.

Scoring guards: Wang Jun, Adrian Griffin.

Point guards: Hinrich, Duhon, Payton.

The other two signed basic salary unsecured contracts and can be sacked at any time in the medium term. Ammondson's characteristics are similar to Hayes, which can defend and offensive ability is about zero.

If a veteran with strength in the middle of the season is cut, Paxson can be recruited and Armondson and Adrian can be cut at any time.

If there is no suitable free agent in the middle, these two blue-collar workers can compete in garbage time, at least not letting their opponents make a wave of attacks.

Paxson believes that the Bulls are not inferior to other teams in every position, and the chances of successful defending the title are very high.

ps
Chapter completed!