Following another slow start, the Bulls were defeated by Philadelphia on Saturday. Coach Billy Donovan will consider juggling his lineup after his team fell behind by 19 points in the first half, Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic writes.
“I think I have to look at that,” Donovan said. “I don’t think there’s any question. Obviously, it’s a small sample size with seven games. But we do have veterans in that lineup. I don’t want to throw them (under the bus). All of us, myself as a coach. We’ve got to figure something out to get off to a better start. We have to look at all those things.”
Power forward Patrick Williams appears to be the most vulnerable in terms of losing his starting job.
We have more on the Bulls:
- Guard Ayo Dosunmu cleared concussion protocol, but he’s still out of action. He’s dealing with a “thoracic contusion,” according to Donovan. Dosunmu has discomfort in his neck and upper back and is struggling with his mobility, Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago tweets.
- Center Nikola Vucevic has taken the second-most field goal attempts behind only DeMar DeRozan. An assertive Vucevic is essential to the team’s success, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “I know how good I am. I know what I bring to the table,” Vucevic said. “I’m a two-time All-Star, so I didn’t get to where I am by chance.”
- Vucevic played a season-high 36 minutes against the Sixers, in part because backup Andre Drummond was sidelined by a left shoulder sprain.
Williams has no business starting at PF and is a rotation bench piece at best.
A trade is needed and White and Williams should be offered up.
Also LaVine knee is a issue that will not age well!
Ball and LaVine contracts are not aging well and the PF position is a major issue.
Looks like Dalen Terry is going to get some more minutes moving forward if Ayo is banged up. Might be good to see what he’s got. Bulls still are in need of a veteran PF, perhaps they can swing a deal for Crowder.
It’s really difficult to say what this team truly needs without seeing the entire roster.
Ball being out is HUGE, and his impact on this team is significant. It was night and day with and without Ball last year, and I feel they’re deeper this season, but they need him badly to help in transition and having more fast break opportunities.
They could probably use a 4 who’s a good rebounder, solid defensively in the post, and can stretch the floor..Still, those players don’t grow on trees, and aren’t always available for a reasonable price..
Crowder fits the bill and is available, likely for spare parts + a second rounder.
Williams drags down the starting five. He doesn’t fit in with them at all. They need to either dip into the luxury tax and get a PF or make some creative trade for one involving Simonovic, White or Williams himself. Donovan hates Simonovic so why is he here? The Bulls biggest problem showed up again vs. Philly that without Drummond, Vujevic is out of his league defending Embid. Derrick Favors anyone? Time to make some calls guys.
Vucevic stat is a little misleading… has more to do with games played than that he’s out there shooting like a maniac… he’s averaging almost 2 FGA less per game than last year so yeah in total after 7 games he’s taken a lot but not quite what that statement leads one to believe.