How will the Bucks survive their first-round series against the Bulls without Khris Middleton? Jrue Holiday needs to ramp up his production, Eric Nehm of The Athletic opines. Middleton will be out at least two weeks with an MCL sprain and he’s the only big wing in the rotation, Nehm notes. Coach Mike Budenholzer could go a number of ways with his starting lineup, from Grayson Allen to Pat Connaughton to even Bobby Portis, which would give Milwaukee a jumbo look.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball has already been ruled out for the postseason and there’s still reasons for long-term concern, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Ball has continued to deal with discomfort in his left knee and coach Billy Donovan isn’t sure when he’ll be able to begin an offseason training program. “If it gets to a place where he’s still having discomfort after a longer period of time, I don’t know what the next step would be,” Donovan said.
- Added last offseason on a four-year, $37MM pact, Alex Caruso is paying big dividends for the Bulls in the playoffs, Sam Smith of the team’s website writes. Caruso’s defense was the underrated reason why Chicago won Game 2 in Milwaukee. “He made a couple of big threes, had a couple of rebounds that were big. … He’s really a great guy because he will not shortcut or rest on the court, so to speak,” Donovan said. “He’s going to give you everything he has. He’s smart, knows what he has to do, is physical defensively for our team and he gives you everything he has.”
- Multiple sources tell Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the Pistons could make a run at Cavaliers restricted free agent Collin Sexton this summer to pair him up with Cade Cunningham in Detroit’s backcourt. The Pistons could have the most cap space in the league this summer but Fedor is uncertain if anyone will give Sexton an offer sheet that Cleveland wouldn’t match, noting Sexton’s season was a washout after he tore the meniscus in his left knee 11 games into the campaign.
Cavs aren’t getting rid of Sexton…. If anything this season showed why we need him! Especially down the stretch.
@GoCavs
Totally agree with you. With all the great talented guards in the nba the idea that we should trade Sexton for complimentary pieces is laughable. I say that because, more than likely, no one’s going to give us what we need most, and that’s a talented 20 a game wing. Right now, in our regular lineup of Garland/Levert/Markkanen/Mobley/ Allen, where’s the perimeter shooter who can we say, give me a bucket or carry this team when they’re stumbling? Or when Garland is sitting or injured? We have zero depth from our guards. Cavs are not a destination for big time free agents and we simply can not nor should not jettison off an efficient 20 ppg player. And with Rich Paul the agent of both Sexton AND Garland can we really count on Garland committing to the team? I’d rather have too much talent than not enough. If the GSW can figure out a “problem” of having 3 high scoring guards then we should try and take notes. They have two position players that basically don’t score at all in Green and Looney yet have a hitch octane efficient offense.
Definitely. Some team might get reckless and offer him a max, in which case I don’t think the Cavs would match. But short of that, it was pretty obvious how much he was missed. Levert was supposed to play the instant offense role, but he was very hot and cold after the Cavs got him, and he’s a better fit as a sixth man anyway. When Garland wasn’t on the floor, their perimeter offense was pretty much nonexistent.
Having him and Okoro coming off the bench would really lengthen their depth. And assuming they keep their first rounder (which I’d lean toward doing), getting someone else who could come off the bench and make a few shots would go a long way too.
@Michael
With three 7ft behind him, specifically with 2 rim protectors, I don’t see why they can’t co-exist together as a starter? I also don’t get going all in on him. He has some issues. Other than Paul which scoring guards are lock down defenders. He has rim protectors behind him.
Sexton is special. In 2020-21 he was 1 of 9 guards to score 20+ points on 45+/37+/80+ shooting. Curry, Irving, Brogdon, Lavine, Lillard, Rozier, Middleton and J. Brown are the others. Most of these guys aren’t defensive stoppers. Keep Sexton. Figure the rest out.
You might be misunderstanding what I said. I want them to keep Sexton too.
Pistons seem to have it in for the Cavs… They will make retaining Sexton expensive… Or set the Young Bull loose when they play the Cavs!
Still, no Rubio, (or Rubio-like), no repeat start. Can’t have all the guards going willy-nilly.
Alex Corti-ruso
If the Pistons give sexton a rookie max would the Cavs match?
Cavs couldn’t make a deal with sexton before he was injured and now he’s missed a whole season basically usually that drops value. However if the Pistons give him the max Cavs either have to match it which they won’t be happy about or let him leave for nothing.
Sexton and Cade would make an intriguing backcourt. Defensively they have good potential, offensively I think they would both get enough touches but very different play styles.
Sets the Pistons up nicely for next season knowing they also have a top pick and can likely add Chet/Jabari or Paolo. Paolo probably takes to many touches away from these two, Jabari and Chet would be good fits. Chet I’m guessing is who they are leaning towards and resigning Bagley to play the 4.
1. Sexton 2. Cade 3. Bey 4. Bagley 5. Chet
Jabari if selected would take the 4 spot and means Bagley either leaves in FA, rides the bench or moves to the 5, all of which aren’t ideal.
See how all these ideas also don’t include Jerami Grant, my guess is they trade him to Portland who are very interested for Josh Hart and a first round pick. Then for their second unit you have Hayes Hart … Olynyk and Stewart.
Like what they are building here in Detroit now. Always been very critical of there decisions and never had any interest in them but with this side I’d take them seriously for sure
Bucks can still beat the Bulls, but either the Celtics or Nets would be tough to get past without Middleton.
Milwaukee will NOT win another game in this series!
Sometimes people say things so ridiculous it’s hard to know h0w to respond.
It is NOT a ridiculous statement! Milwaukee is cooked without Middleton! Caruso gets to guard Jrue Holiday, and will totally shut him down. That ain’t hard. Milwaukee doesn’t have a solid scoring option after Giannis. Down a shooter without George Hill. You will miss Donte. Grayson Allen is not as good and has been a non factor. Milwaukee had the shakiest title run in NBA history last year. Bulls are gonna win the next 2 at home in Chicago. Then close it out in Milwaukee. Giannis is gonna have to do it all right down to missing free throws down stretch when it matters the most cuz the Bulls ain’t gonna let him get clean looks.
Turn on your TV.
And you’re wrong. Can’t wait for the excuses though.
Actually if the Bulls and Celtics advance, that is a great matchup for the Bulls.
That didn’t have anything to do with my comment.
Celtics will clock the Bulls 3-1
Lol.
Alex Caruso: Lakers resign me I’ll give you a discount.
Rob Pelinka: No thanks I traded for a $45M Westbrook so I can’t afford you anymore.
Laker fans: But the franchise is worth 4+ billion and LBJ is probably only great for another 2 years. Can’t we pay the luxury tax for two years?!
Rob Pelinka: No, Jeannie needs that extra $10M for another house or something.
Chicago Bulls: Thank you very much.
DeMarr DeRozan thought it was a done deal that he was gonna sign with the Lakers. Then Westbrook convinced LeBron to trade for him instead. Ouch! LeBron and DeRozan was good enough for another Laker title this year.
In addition to Holiday stepping up with the scoring, so does Allen, Pat C, Carter, and everyone else not named Giannis or Lopez who actually sees the court.
Also, learning how to not turn the ball over as if they’ve never played organized team basketball before, and defending screens without getting scored on 93% of the time would be super.