Bulls head coach Billy Donovan made a purposeful adjustment to start the second half of the team’s game on Wednesday, benching starters Coby White, Patrick Williams and Wendell Carter Jr., K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago writes.
Donovan opted to play Tomas Satoransky, Denzel Valentine and Thaddeus Young instead, choosing to reward the players that closed the second quarter on a high note defensively, according to Johnson. He eventually turned back to his starters, who fought back and closed out a 105-102 win over Detroit.
“I’m sure those guys are probably really disappointed they didn’t get a chance to start the third quarter,” Donovan said. “They see the way those other guys came out and the fact we kind of got back in the game, and now there’s a little more responsibility on them to do the things that they know they have control over. I give them credit for keeping their head in the game.”
There’s more out of Chicago today:
- Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic explores whether the Bulls should still believe in White as a starting point guard. White, the team’s No. 7 pick in 2019, has averaged 15.4 points, 5.4 assists and 33.5 minutes per game this season, shooting 40% from the floor and 35% from three-point range.
- Lauri Markkanen and Otto Porter Jr. have yet to start any on-court activities, Donovan said, according to Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link). Porter (back) has been doing some strength and conditioning work, though no timetable has been issued for his return. Markkanen is still dealing with discomfort in his shoulder, with the Bulls issuing a two-to-four week timetable just over a week ago.
- The Bulls expressed interest in big man Richaun Holmes during the free agency period of 2019, he mentioned on the HoopsHype podcast with Michael Scotto. “I had interest from a few different teams,” Holmes said. “I know the Bulls were there. That’s one team I remember off the top of my head. We were talking to a few different teams.” Holmes wound up signing a two-year deal, $10MM deal with the Kings that year. He’s set to enter unrestricted free agency again at season’s end.
Bulls could take a look at Porzingis maybe?
Trade: Markannen & Otto Porter for KP & Josh Green?
Its risk for both teams & squeezes possibly an ounce of value out of Markannen with Green as a developmental piece.
Mavs could benefit from a guy like Porter if he can stay healthy. Markannen too for that matter…
No. Makes no sense.
Markkanen = Porzingis
How many first round picks are the Bulls including in that trade? Porter is a free agent after the season and I believe Markkanen is an RFA, so not sure how it would make sense for Dallas.
I am a bulls fan and don’t see at all how this trade make sense for the Mavericks, Holmes is from Lockport decent chance he grew up a bulls fan, try to sign him in the offseason, let porter walk for sure and don’t match a Lauri offer sheet if there is one, porzingis is more valuable to Dallas than any team trading for him at this point today
@ parx,
After signing THJ there is likely no money left to sign Holmes with. Its possible to convert another guy to a regular deal & free up the mid level perhaps to acquire Holmes, but that isn’t quite the predicted $10 million. Holmes would be pretty close to exactly what KP needs.
A guy like Thad Young or Richaun Holmes watching the back-door for KP is exactly what is needed & lost with the Powell decline.
@mcmillankmm:
Markannen for KP is a wash other than lopsided salaries. Porter is expiring & will be way cheaper if he works out, cap space if not. Markannen also requires $ to stay, but less than KP.
As far as I can tell Doncic, Brunson, maybe THJ, and D Powell before his injury are the only foundational pieces worth keeping past this season. Finney-smith is decent too.
KP looks slow & minus athleticism. His shot is there, but he doesn’t fit with Doncic or what I truly believe Carlisle/Mavs want to do long term. A wounded Powell is killing the Mavs & KP. KP would have Thad Young helping him tremendously in Chicago.
I don’t think the Mavs get worse, but unstrapped from an injury prone player that just isn’t going to fit precisely until they find another pre-injury D.Powell at near basement pricing. Its a tall order to fill & I also think this keeps them in the playoffs picture this season.
Markannen is as close to a Nowitzki clone as it gets currently, so there is the added bonus of nostalgia as well for a little fun & intrigue.
I bet Donovan will continue to make adjustments until he finds what he likes
No to Porzingis for Mark and others. This team cap situation is finally better after terrible contracts and traded last few years. I rather suffer for the next 2 years and have a top 5 pick than to accelerate the timeline with aging overpaid players. This is what teams like Kings or Magic were doing or continue to do, and now they have BAD contracts on their rosters and average at best records. Need to tank the right way and evaluate everyone. OPJ is a FA he won’t be back, unless a 1st is being sent over he won’t get traded. Markkanen isn’t a Donovan player, he’s too soft and doesn’t hustle or rebound well enough to pay him a RFA deal. it’s all about finding players who fit into Donovan’s system. Williams, LaVine, Gafford (at times) and White are the only guys I can see that will be kept or consider untouchable until better offers come along.
What bad contract is Markannen bringing? Whether Markannen is injured or KP what would the difference be? I am not following the salary cap freedom by keeping KP? The Mavs are right at & possibly over the cap if they Keep THJ, which I definitely would.
I’d gladly trade this new & unimproved KP for expiring RFA deals. No problem. Especially since I get to test drive the merchandise for the remainder of the season before I make up my mind.
Soft, poor rebounding, if quickness were molasses? Thats a Nowitzki clone if I ever heard one!
Porzingis’ contract is terrible. He’s made of glass and he isn’t a great defender even standing at 7’3. It’s not a bad offer I just don’t see if fit for a team trying to evaluate young talent. KP is proven and we still lack a PG who could get him the ball. I’m not dogging your offer, I personally just don’t want Markkanen on this team anymore. And for the Dirk comparisons, he has to shoot LIGHTS out, Dirk first few years were had but by 2001 he figured it out and the rest is history. Markkanen work ethic is questionable while Dirk had a legendary work ethic. I think. The comparison was bc he is a tall lanky guy with an awkward shot and he’s white and European. Even Luka before his Lebron comparisons was compared to Dirk. To me, Luka is the closest thing to Bird well ever see. The problem is Luka isn’t a lights out shooter as Bird is and was in his career.
Both teams are in terrible places. KP has been just shy of worst case scenario (Blake Griffin) & Markannen, Carter, White have not fulfilled their promise either.
I definitely don’t think there is hope prolonging the current situations of both. Sometimes a deal is a lateral move & not necessarily a huge loss or gain for either side.
I disagree on Coby. He’s still learning a brand new position. He’s been the off guard his entire life. With WCJ and Mark you need to get picks. Taking back bad contracts won’t help this team.
Coby is going to be the losing team’s PG. Bulls should trade Lavine if they get a good offer… don’t press the playoffs for Donovan’s sake. Trading away Young is dealing the wrong guy & will.prob only get a second.