Andre Drummond and Lonzo Ball questions abound, is it March or February? No wait. You ask the questions around here.
Is Andre Drummond the kind of center the new regime wants, or is Wendell Carter Jr. the long-term answer in their eyes? Is Carter a center in this league? If his three-pointer is more than 35 percent, then is he a better power forward than Lauri Markkanen? Lauri matured offensively, but his defense was lacking due to slow feet. — Hugh OD
The result around the league is that Drummond is on his way to a buyout and will sign with a competitor for the rest of the season. I do not see him as a target for free agency for this regime.
I also don’t see Carter developing into a 35-percent three-point shooter, which is why I’ve always focused on him more than a center. He may be undersized, but his defensive instincts and height still provide edge protection. And he did a better job of staying out of trouble this season.
Is Lauri Markkanen on the trade block? If he is not, then who are the Bulls who are not named Zach LaVine? — Gio A.
The management offered Markkanen a long-term extension before the season, although it was selected according to a number. It seems clear that the philosophy going forward is to determine next summer’s limited market for free agents the price on Market Canes and then determine if it is a long-term fit to move forward based on the number.
But the task of a manager is to have a conversation with any team about any player. I mean, Jerry Krause traded Scottie Pippen almost twice. This is what drivers do. As stated earlier, the only player linked to this regime is his first draft pick, Patrick Williams. That said, the sense surrounding the league of the people I’m talking to is that it would take a monumental offer to acquire LaVine from the Bulls. As in: Yes, you listen if there is interest. But LaVine is having an incredible season. Management sees it.
What do you think of the Bulls not to extend Markkanen? Can we also see the Bulls trade in before the deadline? — Ruben B.
Well, they tried. But management set a number at which it was comfortable and put it on the table when the two parties were about $ 4 million apart in the first season of a long-term deal. It’s definitely their right. At the time, I was writing a column outlining the inherent risks associated with extending the extension. With a dehydration of free agent classes and many teams that are expected to have enough salary branch, the limited free agent market can be profitable.
But I always say: I’m a beat writer. I would be a terrible GM. Since Markkanen has suffered a freak and unfortunate injury again, who now says what his value will be next summer? He definitely started offensively very strong. Either way, the Bulls have the right to customize any offer sheet he may receive. You can understand why the management took the stand.
As for the Bulls or not, I will focus most on Thad Young. He will definitely be asked. Now, he’s too valuable to trade him just to trade him. But if the right offer presents itself, I do not think you can lose sight of the whole picture – which builds assets for a young team – just to experience slight short-term success.
That said, the playoffs would certainly provide valuable experience for some of the young Bulls players. And Young’s play, which was at such a high level and enjoyable to watch, would help make it happen. So stay tuned.
The Lonzo Ball-to-the-Bulls rumors are getting strong again. I like his fitness from a basketball perspective. He is the first orchestrator the team needs. And his size allows him with Zach LaVine and Coby White. But why would AKME want to trade for a guy now that we can pursue in RFA? Or worse, why trade for a guy who can lose you for free when another team enters a crazy offer page? — Nick P.
To begin with, make the deal only if you have worked back channels to know that you will be extending this off-season. And I do think Ball fits. Although at this point any real point guard would fit there. (It’s not Coby White’s hatred! He’s young and developing and a nice piece to have. I just think he’s not a real point guard.)
But I’m with you: why should you give up an asset to someone you could follow in a limited free agency this summer? There are also other point guard possibilities during the season, including in the draft.
Do you have insight into what AK / Marc / Billy positioned as Patrick Williams’ future position? I know that modern basketball is moving toward positional play. But I loved the setups with Pat at the 4 and only one really great. — Sean
It worked. Ultimately, I think Williams is more of a power forward than a small forward. But you were right: he can play in any lineup due to modern basketball’s tendency to position without play and his defensive versatility. When we asked the management, Donovan and even Williams about his position, everyone said something along the lines of ‘he’s a basketball player’. So there you go.
Who are the five core players they will build with and how quickly will they handle the rest? — Irv K.
Two seasons after John Paxson took over for Krause, only Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry are left of the team he inherited. Shortly afterwards, both players were traded.
Translate: This grid will look significantly different within two to three seasons. If I had to guess, I would say Williams, LaVine, White and one of Carter / Markkanen would still be here.
I think this season clearly proves that Zach LaVine should be a core piece of this organization moving forward as it continues to build a championship candidate. That said, how can you see that this front office will possibly do this coming season to start building that contender slowly? Are there potential big shifts on the horizon? A lot of the big-name free agents came from the board, so I was wondering what exactly could even be done. — Elbron O.
Continue with hits. Williams’ early returns suggest management is 1-for-1 in that division.
Use the salary cap as desired. Even if you do not leave a superstar this off-season, you can improve the roster and build up assets to make it attractive for future possibilities and / or in a better position to trade for a star.
Here’s one thing you hear about all the time. Arturas Karnišovas of people who have known him for a long time: he has a strong vision for how he wants to build a team. I will be looking to start taking shape this off-season.
Who is the most underrated Bulls player you have experienced in your career? It can be skills-based or have an impact on / out of court. — Matthew A.
I played 200 games at random at least. There are 68 players in franchise history who have played so much. Dennis Rodman accidentally missed it.
This is of course completely subjective, but I have limited my choice to Carlos Boozer, Robin Lopez and Jud Buechler. I do not look out for Andres Nocioni or Taj Gibson because I feel that they have always received proper love. I’ll probably throw BJ Armstrong in this conversation too, but I did not cover the first three-turf team.
Boozer for me has always suffered under the perception that I was the consolation prize for not landing the Big Three that went to Miami. But he was a relentlessly positive teammate, enduring as soon as he got past his rocky start to stumble across a gym and break his hand, and although Tom Thibodeau was not always close to him, Thibodeau appreciated him.
I’ll probably go with Lopez. I know people appreciated him, but I still think he was underrated. His screen-setting ability, boxing and nothing-nonsense, team-first attitude, lifted some tough times. Plus, he was funny as hell.
Does not include anyone who has played for one of the Bulls champion teams, who would be your first two Bulls players per position from 1998-99 until now? (Eg Toni Kukoc can not be included as he played in the championship teams). Every player must have played with the Bulls for at least one year. With the creation of this team, chemistry does not play in court. Here are my choices:
5- Joakim Noah / Pau Gasol
4- Elton Brand / Taj Gibson
3-Jimmy Butler / Luol Deng
2-Zach LaVine / Ben Gordon
1-Derrick Rose / Kirk Hinrich
Careful omissions for second place in their positions: Boozer, Chandler, Mirotic and Nocioni. — Jay E.
I enjoy such things. I think you’re close to almost all of these things. I would probably put Deng above Butler. This is mostly due to longevity, but also a bit of personal preference, as Deng played in that 2004-05 team which was one of the most formative experiences in my career and also took the franchise out of malaise. Butler will likely eventually have the more dynamic career. But Deng was so solid for so long and obviously maximized it with two All-Star appearances while playing for Tom Thibodeau.
The only other dispute is the power forward position. Brand has earned a double-double in both of his seasons, including as a rookie, who is insane and why he shared Rookie of the Year with Steve Francis. But he was only with the Bulls for two seasons. Boozer’s long life on very good teams places him at number 1 and bumps Brand to number 2 and Gibson to number 3? This is a nice debate.
Thanks for all the questions. Talk to you again soon.
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