We can add a couple new teams to the list of clubs eyeing Paul Millsap, as Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that the Bulls have pursued the veteran power forward and the Clippers have also expressed interest.
Charania confirms that the Warriors and Nets remain in the mix for Millsap, who has previously been linked to the Hawks, Pelicans, Sixers, and Timberwolves as well.
Millsap’s decision could ultimately come down to which factors are most important to him, since some teams cited as suitors could offer more money than others, some could offer a bigger role, and some are in better position to compete for a title right away.
The Bulls, for instance, still have their $3.7MM bi-annual exception available, so they could offer Millsap more than a handful of teams limited to the minimum salary exception. The Clippers, on the other hand, are limited to a minimum-salary offer, but are closer to title contention than Chicago.
Both teams could have regular frontcourt minutes available for someone like Millsap, since the Bulls just lost Lauri Markkanen and the health of Serge Ibaka remains a question mark for the Clippers. Chicago has just 13 players on guaranteed contracts, while Los Angeles is carrying 14.
Don’t the Bulls still have some of, if not all, the Theis trade exception? That should be more than the BA exception.
It is 5 million and they have the whole thing but from what I have read they will carry it all into the season and only have 14 guaranteed contracts to use in a trade during the course of the season, they would be able to pick up an extra player in a trade I think was the reasoning, bulls need a veteran power forward and that’s about the only position they should even be pursuing at this point
They do have it. That would just be a little more complicated than a straight signing since they’d have to negotiate a sign-and-trade with Denver and get Millsap to agree to a three-year deal where likely just one year is guaranteed. It’s a possibility though.
Almost as if the Nets are trying to recreate the 2016 all-star teams.
Millsap would be a phenomenal fit with the Bulls. They need one more big and I think he would likely supplant Simonovic on the depth chart (which is fine, because he could be a great mentor to Simonovic who I don’t think is ready for steady rotation minutes). They may not be title contenders per se, but they should be a solid playoff team and they have plenty of minutes for him. IMO if the Bulls can land him, that puts a cap on the offseason and they are ready to roll.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Did I mention yes again? Please AK, sign the guy. He’s a perfect fit for this roster.
Couldn’t agree more with you raz427!!
Paul Milsap would fit in perfectly with the Bulls current roster, and quite frankly, they really need him if they want to increase their odds of making the playoffs.
As their starting five they’ll have Lonzo, LaVine, Derozan, P.Williams, and Vucevic. After that though, the rest of their roster depth is primarily a few solid guards and a few defensive minded wings. For their second unit their only options, after having Caruso and Colby in the back court, are Brown, Green, Ayo, Jones, ajd then their only bigs are Tony Bradley and Simonovic.
They can mix and match Simonovic and Bradley as their backup 5, depending on the nightly matchup with Simonovic being a more versatile threat in the pick n’ roll, and just being the better passer and offensive threat in general, and then Bradley being the better rebounder and defensive rim protector.
With that being said, I’m pretty confident the Bulls do not want to he forced to start the year with the recently added Derrick Jones as their only backup option to Patrick Williams. That’s the case, especially because Williams is still raw, and it will only he hos second season as a pro. You cannot expect to contend, and have only three real “bigs,” much less with one being a sophmore and Simonovic being a “rookie.”
I put rookie in quotes, because he does professional experience overseas. This may lead to him being more advanced than most rookies, especially most 2nd Round picks, but there is no getting around the fact this will still be his first year in the NBA.
Both Williams, Simonovic, and even rookie 2nd Round pick, combo guard Ayo all looked really solid in their summer league debuts, especially Williams, but it is summer league, sooo yeah..lol
Colby White will likely run their second unit, alongside Caruso, and he will have some combination of Troy Brown, Javonte Green, Derrick Jones, and then either Tony Bradley or Marko Simonovic..
Let’s say, they run out White, Caruso, Brown, Jones, and Simonovic/Bradley… While that would be a very solid defensive unit, especially with Bradley, but they still need another 4 that has some offensive versatility, especially if they’re playing Bradleybat the 5.
Milsap would compliment this team perfectly, and I really can’t see a better fit thats available for the Bulls…AA get it done!!
Yes but enough to many stars only 2 labors Carousel and Ayo as the laborers Millsap have a role like Thaddis Young had before new coach he sucked
Not to nitpick, his name is “Coby” not “Colby”. His mom would appreciate the change. And he will start the season on the injured list, for at least 10 weeks. So there will be some scoring deficit in that second unit, but the way Donovan runs rotations it will never be a “second unit” on the floor. He makes changes based upon matchups and game situation, so likely Brown & Jones split time at 3 when DeRozan is not there and sometimes when he is spelling Lavine. Bradley gets most backup 5 minutes, Simonovic most backup 4, unless they sign Millsap who would become first on depth at 4, letting Williams swing between 3 and 4 depending upon defensive matchups. Bravo AK, this should be a very versatile roster, and show what Donovan can do when he has good material to work with.
Fingers crossed for Millsap signing.
Without Kawhi all the season, CHI is closer to title contention than LAC, come on everyone & all can see that, right?