While this year's class doesn't compare with the much-ballyhooed dream-team class that can become unrestricted free agents after next season, there are some good players on the market right now.

The Bulls have positioned themselves financially to be major players next summer, but their future will be significantly impacted by whether they are able to re-sign Ben Gordon this summer.

Whether Gordon should be re-signed has been a hot topic around town in recent weeks, and you can find passionate opinions on both sides of the argument.

Some people believe he's too valuable as a clutch scorer to let go for nothing, even with his deficiencies in other areas. Others feel he'll never be a big-time scorer on a championship-caliber team because of his deficiencies and the Bulls would be better off spending the money elsewhere.

ROADBLOCK TO PROGRESS

There are merits to both sides of the debate, but this much is certain: Losing Gordon likely with stall the Bulls' expected progress next season.

At least publicly, the Bulls say they are intent on re-signing Gordon and that is their top priority this summer. According to a Bulls insider, new general manager Gar Forman and vice president John Paxson want Gordon back and the question is how much money chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is willing to commit to get a deal done.

Two years ago, before his rookie contract expired, Gordon rejected a five-year, $50 million contract. Last summer as a restricted free agent, he initially rejected a six-year, $58 million offer before telling the Bulls right before training camp that he would accept it. Too late, he and his agent were told -- the offer is off the table.

Gordon then signed the one-year, $6.4 million qualifying offer and, thus, is an unrestricted free agent now.

There have been rumors in recent weeks that Gordon's agent, Raymond Brothers, has been telling confidants that the Detroit Pistons have promised to make Gordon an offer of $11million a year. Besides being illegal negotiating, targeting Gordon first doesn't make a lot of sense because the Pistons already have Richard Hamilton at shooting guard.

An NBA source said Detroit's prime target was supposed to be power forward Carlos Boozer, but Boozer announced Tuesday night that he will exercise a $12.7 million option for next season to return to the Utah Jazz. The move was a bit of a surprise because Boozer -- who has a history of injuries -- would have been able to get more guaranteed money on a multi-year deal, even if his salary next season was lower.

Pistons WOO TURKOGLU

With Boozer out of the picture, the NBA source said small forward Hedo Turkoglu of the Orlando Magic is now the Pistons' first choice. Detroit can free up about $18 million in salary-cap room, and probably would have to overpay Turkoglu to get him to leave a contending team for a rebuilding team.

If the Pistons can't sign Turkoglu, they would turn their attention to Gordon, who is the second-best scorer in this year's class behind Turkoglu. Exactly how Detroit's firing of coach Mike Curry on Tuesday will affect its pursuit of free agents -- or the free agents' perception of the Pistons -- remains to be seen.

It also remains to be seen how the economy will affect teams' willingness to dole out big contracts -- especially with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire and Paul Pierce among those who can become free agents next summer.

Besides Turkoglu and Gordon, the most attractive free agent this year are point guards Jason Kidd, Mike Bobby and Andre Miller.

This year, the only teams besides the Pistons that can free up significant cap room are the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. Neither is expected to make a significant push for Gordon, so his only hope for getting the contract he seeks may be a battle between the Bulls and Pistons.

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