Former Rockets assistant coach Jeff Bzdelik could be a candidate to join Jim Boylen’s staff in Chicago, tweets K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. The Rockets decided not to pursue a new contract with Bzdelik, who is considered the architect of the defense in Houston. He briefly retired from the game last fall before rejoining the Rockets in November.
The Bulls interviewed Bzdelik for an assistant’s job in 2002 and were interested in hiring him before he joined the Nuggets. He also interviewed with executive vice president John Paxson for Chicago’s head coaching position in 2008. Bzdelik hasn’t decided if he wants to keep coaching next season, but Johnson notes that the Bulls still have an opening to fill.
There’s more today from Chicago:
- Mark Adams, an assistant at Texas Tech and a long-time friend of Boylen’s, had discussions about coming to the Bulls but decided to remain in Lubbock, tweets Jeff Goodman of Stadium.
- The Bulls are looking at Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver, Duke’s Cam Reddish and North Carolina’s Coby White as possibilities in next month’s draft, Johnson writes in a full story. Paxson said after the lottery that he is open to all possibilities with the No. 7 pick, including a trade. If the Bulls keep their selection, they could choose a defensive upgrade in Culver, a shooting specialist in Reddish or address a position of need by taking White. “I’m a point guard,” White said when asked where he projects himself in the NBA. “Put the ball in my hands.”
- The Bulls may opt to give Kris Dunn another chance rather than chase a crop of free agent point guards that isn’t outstanding, speculates Sam Smith of NBA.com. Dunn only established himself as a scorer occasionally under coach Fred Hoiberg and he never gained the trust of Boylen once he took over the team, Smith adds. However, with D’Angelo Russell and Terry Rozier both being restricted free agents — and Ricky Rubio and Darren Collison as realistic alternatives — Chicago may decide to spend its free agent money elsewhere.
Bulls are getting Coby White. Boylen will love him.
The Rockets worked so hard to get Bzdelik back, now what? Did he get scapegoated like Carmelo?
The Bulls should try and trade for Dennis Schroder. He is wasted in OKC and I’m sure OKC would love to move his salary.
Bulls get
Dennis Schroder
pick #21
Thunder get
Cristiano Felicio
Kris Dunn
pick #38
2020 2nd round pick
Bulls get their proven PG. Thunder get a cheaper 3 year deal (and decent back up big man) in Felicio and a cheaper back up guard in Dunn. The Thunder get out from under the guaranteed money of the first round pick while getting a comparable prospect in the second round. The Bulls could still take a PG like Coby White at 7, but could actually take the time to develop him behind Schroder instead of rushing him and having Kris Dunn 2.0.
BTW, Ricky Rubio is a MUCH better option than Kris Dunn if worse comes to worse.
Thunder need more, if only to save face and not look cheap, like a protected first that turns into a couple of seconds.
Or: Dunn, Hutchinson, Blakeny & Valentine, and the 2019 & 2020 seconds, because they just need bodies, period. Then they can cut Nader (-16 on/off) and save more.
Boylen would have to approve of Schroder… he may not be thrilled. He’s dreaming of Robio & White right now I’ll bet.
Perhaps they could unload Patrick Patterson as well. The Bulls could easily absorb him and waive him. That would be worth their 1st.
Yes the Bulls will be under… I too often forget that detail.
*forget too often
Man everybody in Chicago would make that deal. Felicio and Dunn for DS heck yea right now. Could happen if bulls don’t get Garland or white. But will OKC want to move him