Questions about Andre Drummond and Lonzo Ball abound, so is it March or February? Oh wait. You’re asking 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? Carter is a center in this league? If his 3-point point reaches more than 35%, will he be a better striker than Lauri Markkanen? Lauri has matured offensively, but her defense is lacking due to the slowness of her feet. — Hugh OD
The rumor surrounding the league is that Drummond is heading for a purchase and will sign with an opponent by the end of the season. I don’t see you as a free agency target for this regime.
I also don’t see Carter developing into a 35 percent three-point shooter, which is why I’ve always focused more on him as a center. It may be smaller than normal, but its defensive instincts and length still provide protection for the rim. And he’s been doing a better job of staying out of trouble this season.
Is Lauri Markkanen in the commercial block? If not, who of the Bulls without the name Zach LaVine is there? — Gio A.
The administration offered Markkanen a long-term extension ahead of the season, albeit in a number of his choice. It seems clear that the philosophy moving forward is to allow next summer’s restricted free agent market to set Markkanen’s price and then determine whether it is suitable in the long run to move forward based on what that number is.
But the job of any executive is to talk to all the teams of any player. I mean, Jerry Krause almost traded Scottie Pippen twice. That’s what executives do. As already stated here, the only player linked to this regime is his first draft pick, Patrick Williams. That said, the feeling around the league of the people I talk to is that a monumental offer would be needed to acquire the Bulls’ LaVine. As in: Yes, listen if you are interested. But LaVine is having an incredible season. Management sees this.
What do you think of the Bulls not signing a Markkanen overtime? Also, can we see the Bulls negotiating ahead of schedule? — Ruben B.
Well, they tried. But the administration established a comfortable number and presented it when the two sides were separated by about $ 4 million in the first season of a long-term deal. That is certainly their right. At the time, I wrote a column detailing the inherent risks involved in not reaching an extension. In other words, with the exhaustion of a class of free agents and many teams designed to have ample wage cap space, the restricted market for free agents could be profitable.
But I always say: I am a beat writer. I would be a terrible GM. Given that Markkanen suffered a strange and unfortunate injury again, who can say what his value will be next summer? He certainly had a very strong offensive start. Either way, Bulls have the right to match any offer sheets they may receive. You can understand why management took the position it took.
As for whether or not the Bulls negotiate, I will focus more on Thad Young. It will certainly be in demand. Now, it is too valuable to change it just to change it. But if the right offer comes along, I don’t think you can lose sight of the big picture – which is to build assets for a young team – just to experience short-term success.
That said, reaching the playoffs would certainly provide valuable experience for some of the young Bulls players. And Young’s play, which is at such a high level and fun to watch, would be instrumental in making that happen. So stay tuned.
Lonzo Ball-to-the-Bulls rumors are heating up again. I like your fit from a basketball standpoint. He is the orchestrator of passage that the team needs. And its size allows it to start with Zach LaVine and Coby White. But why would AKME want to switch to a guy now that we could go after it? Or worse, why trade for a guy you could lose for nothing if another team comes up with a crazy offer? — Nick P.
To start, you will only make this deal if you have worked on the channels to know that you will reach an extension in this off-season. And I think Ball fits. Although at this point, any real shipowner would fit. (This is not Coby White’s hatred! He’s young, he’s developing and he’s a great person. I just don’t think he’s a real point guard.)
But I’m with you: why give up an asset for someone you could pursue at a restricted free agency this summer? There will also be other possibilities for shipowners in this off-season, including in the draft.
Do you have any idea what AK / Marc / Billy sees as Patrick Williams’ future positionally? I know that modern basketball is heading towards a game with no position. But I loved the lineups with Pat at 4 and just a real big one. — Sean
Those worked. And, in the end, I think Williams is more of a powerful striker than a small striker. But you are right: he can play in any lineup because of the trend of modern basketball to play without position and its defensive versatility. When we asked management, Donovan and even Williams about their position, each said something like “he is a basketball player”. So there it is.
Who are the five main actors around them and how long will they deal with the rest? — Irv K.
Two seasons after John Paxson took over from Krause, only Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry remained on the team he inherited. Soon after that, both players were switched.
Translated: this list will be significantly different in two or three seasons. If I had to guess, I would say that Williams, LaVine, White and one of the Carter / Markkanen will still be here.
I think this season is clearly proving that Zach LaVine has to be a centerpiece of this organization moving forward as it continues on the path to building a championship contender. That said, what can you see this front line potentially doing in the off-season to slowly start building that candidate? Are there major potential movements on the horizon? Many of the reputable free agents left the board, so I was wondering what exactly could be done. — Elbron O.
Continue to tap into draft choices. Williams’ early returns suggest that management is 1 to 1 in that department.
Use the wage ceiling space wisely. Even if you don’t get a superstar in this off-season, you can improve the list and accumulate assets to make it attractive for future possibilities and / or in a better position to trade for a star.
Here’s something you always hear about Artūras Karnišovas from people who have known him for a long time: He has a strong vision of how he wants to form a team. I would expect it to start taking shape this off-season.
Who is the most underrated Bulls player you have covered in your career? It can be based on skill or impact on / off the court. — Matthew A.
Arbitrarily, I set 200 games as a minimum. There are 68 players in the franchise’s history who have played so many. Coincidentally, Dennis Rodman missed by one.
Obviously, this is totally subjective, but I reduced my choices to Carlos Boozer, Robin Lopez and Jud Buechler. I am not neglecting Andres Nocioni or Taj Gibson because I feel that they have always received adequate love. I would probably also include BJ Armstrong in that conversation, but I didn’t cover the first team of three peat bogs.
Boozer for me always suffered with the perception of being the consolation prize of not landing the Big Three that went to Miami. But he was a relentlessly positive, durable teammate after overcoming the difficult start of tripping over a gym bag and breaking his hand, and although Tom Thibodeau did not always stay with him because of the defense, Thibodeau appreciated him.
I would probably go with Lopez. I know people liked him, but I still think he was underestimated. His ability to define the screen, boxing and serious attitude in the first place really raised some difficult moments. Besides, he was funny as hell.
Not including anyone who played on any of the Bulls’ championship teams, who would be the two best Bulls players by position, starting from 1998-99 to the present? (Ex. Toni Kukoc cannot be included, as he played for teams in the championship). Each player must have played at least one year with the Bulls. When creating this team, the chemistry on the court does not take into account. 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
Close the omissions for the second in their positions: Boozer, Chandler, Mirotic and Nocioni. — Jay E.
I like things like that. I think you are close to almost all of it. I would probably lean towards putting Deng on Butler. This is mainly due to longevity, but also a little personal preference, because Deng played in that 2004-05 team that was one of the most formative experiences of my career and also took the franchise out of malaise. Butler is likely to have a more dynamic career. But Deng was so, so solid for so long and then he obviously reached his limit with two appearances on the All-Star while playing for Tom Thibodeau.
The only other problem is the position of forward power. Brand had an average of doubling in both seasons, including as a rookie, which is insane and why he shared Rookie of the Year with Steve Francis. But he only stayed with the Bulls for two seasons. Does Boozer’s longevity in really good teams put him first and Brand second and Gibson third? It’s a fun debate.
Thanks for all the questions. Talk to you soon.
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