Paxson calls crowded backcourt 'good issue'
The arrival of Larry Hughes from Cleveland does not mean Ben Gordon is headed out the door, general manager John Paxson insisted when he met the media Thursday night.
"This has nothing to do with Ben Gordon's future," Paxson said. "It really doesn't. He provides a huge component for us as a scorer.
"We have a crowded backcourt. It's just unfortunately the way the deal went, but I think our backcourt is obviously better now, too. It gives us an issue in the backcourt, but it's a good issue to have."
Coach Jim Boylan will have to make some difficult choices when doling out playing time between Hughes, Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Thabo Sefolosha and Chris Duhon.
Theoretically, this could mean that the Bulls are resigned to not being able to re-sign Gordon this summer when he becomes a restricted free agent.
But it's tough to call Hughes an improvement over Gordon, considering Hughes averaged 12.3 points and shot 37.7 percent for Cleveland this season, compared to Gordon's 19.8 points and 42 percent shooting.
Maybe the Bulls think Sefolosha and Hughes combined will bring more than Gordon at shooting guard. But that decision will be made at a future date.
"You've got to think it has an impact on everybody," Gordon said when asked if Hughes' presence will affect his status. "How right now, I don't know. Only time will be ready to tell."
Money evens out: Salary-wise, Thursday's trade doesn't change the bottom line or create any cap room for the Bulls. Larry Hughes has two years remaining on his deal worth $26.5 million, slightly less than the $28.5 million the Bulls owed Ben Wallace. Drew Gooden is signed for one more season at $7.1 million, slightly more than what Joe Smith will be paid.
The Cavaliers picked up the third-year option on Cedric Simmons, which means he is signed through next season, but not Shannon Brown, who will be a free agent this summer.
The Bulls expect their new players to take physicals today but are not counting on them to play tonight against Denver.
Hinrich hot and cold: Kirk Hinrich came out aggressive on the offensive end at New Jersey on Wednesday, scoring 9 points in the first quarter alone. But then he didn't score again until converting a meaningless layup with 7.3 seconds remaining in the 110-102 overtime loss.
"Kirk and I have talked about this," coach Jim Boylan said following Thursday's practice at the Berto Center. "He needs to stay aggressive, even when Lu (Deng) and BG (Ben Gordon) come back.
"Kirk tries to distribute the ball and keep everybody happy with their touches and so on. At the same time, he needs to assert himself at the offensive end and look to score and look for his opportunities."
Bull horns: The Bulls had eight players reach double-figure scoring Wednesday at New Jersey. That hasn't happened for the Bulls since Jan. 26, 1993, in a 123-88 win at Dallas. Scottie Pippen and Stacey King led the way with 19 each that night. … The Bulls and the Cavs still have four games to play against each other. The first will be in Cleveland on March 2, followed by a rematch at the United Center four days later.
Tonight's tipoff
Bulls vs. Denver Nuggets at the United Center, 7 p.m.
TV: Channel 9
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Nuggets own an impressive 33-20 record but are just a half-game from falling to ninth place and missing the playoffs in the competitive Western Conference. Denver still is mostly about Allen Iverson (26.5 ppg, 7.3 apg) and Carmelo Anthony (26.3 ppg). Three-point specialist Linas Kleiza is the third-leading scorer at 11.9 points, while center Marcus Camby is second in the league at 14.3 rebounds per game.
Next: Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, 7 p.m. Sunday
-- Mike McGraw