Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen was unhappy with the direction of the offense under coach Jim Boylen and his role in it, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Markkanen’s frustration had reached a point where he’d rather be dealt if organization changes weren’t made, Cowley continues. It’s possible the new front office executive — the Bulls are lining up interviews with candidates — could look to trade Markkanen if they feel the relationship is beyond repair, Cowley adds.
We have more on the Bulls:
- Within that same story, Cowley writes that the Bulls are keeping a close eye on the Heat. In addition to seeking an interview with Miami’s assistant GM Adam Simon, Chicago has also considered emulating the Heat’s front office structure, and has done homework on free agents like Goran Dragic and Derrick Jones.
- Otto Porter Jr. will likely be in a lame duck situation as the team’s small forward next season, Cowley writes in a separate story. Porter will surely exercise his $28.5MM option for next season after an injury-plagued campaign and his salary will come off the books just in time for the much-anticipated 2021 free-agent class. Boylen has even hinted he might have Porter come off the bench next season.
- Boylen’s future with the organization will be determined by the lead executive the Bulls hire, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reports. Boylen has the support of COO Michael Reinsdorf and executive VP John Paxson but a desire of the new executive to hire his own coach wouldn’t be a deal-breaker, Johnson continues, confirming one of his earlier stories. While Reinsdorf has been handling the search, Paxson has been a driving force on the need for change and a more modern front office, Johnson adds.
- The team’s ceiling for next season with its current group is a low-end playoff seed unless 2019 lottery pick Coby White develops rapidly, Kevin Pelton of ESPN opines. White needs to emerge as a knockdown shooter, something he flashed late in the season. It’s unlikely the new executive will pursue an extension with Markkanen, but if he bounces back and breaks out, the Bulls can still benefit by utilizing his “relatively modest” $20.2MM cap hold as he enters restricted free agency, Pelton adds.
Scrap the whole team, especially Boylen, but Markannen has to produce to make any demands…he is not star material as per team propaganda.
I know several people within the Bulls organization, everyone is in complete agreement, Markkanen is terribly home sick. The Bulls have been desperate to keep it under wraps and is probably the reason for him decline/stagnant numbers. And there is real concern he wants to return to Finland.
Sounds like Shaq Harrison is in line to start at the 3. (The new taller better-shooting Shaq. But not as tall as that other Shaq.) Porter & Hutchinson keep getting injured. Valentine likes to come in through the side door but for that or some other reason, maybe self-regard, he doesn’t fit with Boylan. Dunn will likely get snapped up by another team. So Shaq and probably the r1 pick.
Bulls should completely retool with White as the center piece. Everyone else is expendable trade bait.
Boylen is the Joe Exotic of NBA coaches. Way over his head. Can’t imagine a real GM keeping him. Anyone can look up Boylens college class aching disaster to see he isn’t cut out for coaching.
What a mess. Terrible ownership that trickles down the rest of the organization.
dunn can walk… run it back with a trade of thad, draft a wing who can backup sf/sg, give thad’s mins to gafford. with a competent coach and some wings the bulls are a decent team. sato needs to step up though.