Someone on "Ask Sam" proposed an interesting Tyrus trade involving Golden State.  Here are two variations that would work:

Trade #1: Tyrus and Salmons for Anthony Randolph and Stephen Jackson

Trade #2: Tyrus and Hinrich for Randolph, Jackson, and Speedy Claxton (for salary matching purposes)

There are definitely some problems with both scenarios - not the least of which is Tyrus' injury - but given Don Nelson and the Warrior's general dysfunction, it could have some legs.

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With everyone speculating about what The Org will be able to accomplish this summer with regard to free agents, Tyrus' extension, etc., I'd be interested to know the answer to this question:

Let's say (hypothetically) that the Bulls are able to create enough cap space to sign a max free agent without moving Tyrus or renouncing his rights, and the first thing they do this summer is sign Wade.  Obviously this assumes that they have been able to create enough cap space around Tyrus' cap hold to sign Wade (probably not possible, but let's assume it is for now).  Once the ink is dry on Wade's contract, can they then go ahead and sign Tyrus to a contract greater than his cap hold, thereby going above the cap due to the fact that the Bulls still own Tyrus' rights (and you're allowed to go above the cap to resign your own players)?

If this is legit, then this only works in that order: sign Wade first (so that total payroll is under the cap), then sign Tyrus (and legally go above the cap).

In reality, this is probably a moot point, as Tyrus' cap hold is likely to be greater than he is worth anyway, and the Bulls are unlikely to make the moves necessary to free up max FA cap space around his cap hold.  However, if Tyrus has an underwhelming or injury plagued year - or the market for his services is quiet - maybe the bulls could sign him to a highly discounted deal (well below his cap hold), and still have room for Wade/Bosh/Johnson.  In this scenario though, I think we're more likely to see Taj Gibson as starting PF rather than resigning Tyrus the rabble rousing trouble maker.

With wins against three of the five top teams in the league, and losses against three of the five worst teams in the league, many of us don't know what to make of the Bulls this year.  Unpredictable is an understatement.  It seems as though, lately, we've been winning against all of our "top tier" opponents, and losing against our "easy" opponents.  Just how does this trend play out across the full season? 

What follows are calculations of our record in various situations across the season to date:

Overall Record: .456

Home Record: .656

Away Record: .278

Overtime Record: .250

Close Games (Absolute Margin <= 10): .432

Blowouts (Absolute Margin > 10): .484

Against Teams w/ Winning Record (including .500 teams): .359

Against Teams w/ Losing Record: .586

At Home Against Winning Teams: .556

At Home Against Losing Teams: .786

Away Against Winning Teams: .190

Away Against Losing Teams: .400

This isn't rocket science, and for the most part everything follows in line with expectations.  That said, it is astounding to me that the Bulls' record against winning teams at home is nearly THREE TIMES that of our away record against winning teams!!  Additionally, our record in close games is notably worse than non-close games (and my guess is that this differential should actually be higher as many of our "close wins" are actually blowouts in which we nearly relinquished the lead). 

If the average age of the team was 28, this would be extremely troubling, but we are one of the youngest (if not the youngest?) team in the league.  Therefore, it is not surprising that we are significantly better at home, and that we can't quite close out close games.  With better coaching (from Vinny or his potential replacement), more playing time for our young guys, and improved cohesion as the newly reorganized team learns to play together, I expect our record to significantly improve next year.  The good news is that we are most definitely getting it done at home.  Hopefully the away record will follow in due time.

Here's the million dollar question: What is wrong with the Bulls?

No real leader?
Identity issues?
No true all-star?
Lack of intensity and consistency?

If you ask me, all of these problems are directly related to coaching.  A real coach would find a way to create an identity, elevate leaders, hand Derrick Rose (our true all-star) the keys to the car, and foster an environment in which lack of intensity is not tolerated, thereby leading to...consistency!

True, we don't have a legit "Big Three" or a Kobe or LeBron upon whose back we can ride to the Finals, but we absolutely do have a playoff team.  Especially in the East!  Given the struggles and injury issues compromising so many teams in the East this year, there is no reason that this Bulls team shouldn't have been a 5 or 6 seed.

Ok.  Most of us here agree on this much, so I won't go into why benching D Rose in the 4th is a bad idea.  Here comes the financial component:

In a major market such as Chicago, a playoff appearance would net the Bulls significant additional income.  The odds of making the playoffs and potentially even advancing beyond the first round (this year or next) are markedly better with a competent coach.  As a rookie coach with no prior experience, VDN's contract is a small one.

So add it all up!  Firing VDN gives Chicago a much better shot at the playoffs, and therefore a shot at significant additional income that will likely exceed that of VDN's contract buyout as well as the difference between VDN's salary and the new coaches salary (which would likely be more than VDN's because he'd hopefully have enough experience to demand more).

Additionally, playoff experience and better coaching will allow Derrick Rose to progress faster, and might even elevate his ceiling further.  Given that these are his formative years, it is important to put him in a position to succeed, and not do anything to stunt his development.  There is a financial benefit associated with this as well, as the better D Rose becomes, the better the Bulls will be going forward, which in turn equals more revenue for the franchise whether it's playoff appearances, jersey sales, etc.  Would Cleveland be as profitable without LeBron?  I think not.  Same logic applies here.

What coach wouldn't love to get their hands on this team?

Derrick Rose
Ben Gordon (if he's back next year)
Loul Deng
Tyrus Thomas
Joakim Noah
John Salmons
Brad Miller
Kirk Hinrich
Tim Thomas

Pax did his job by cleaning up the roster and providing us with legitimate veterans.  Now it's time to get rid of the one remaining team cancer: VDN.