Bulls power forward Patrick Williams has been re-enlisted as a starter with Javonte Green now hurt, though he’ll likely be demoted again when Green returns, writes Annie Costabile of The Chicago Sun-Times.
“We’ll probably put [Green] back in the starting lineup [when he’s healthy] to see what that looks like,” Chicago head coach Billy Donovan said. Even though Williams will be returning to the bench soon, teammates have noticed that he appears to be growing more assertive and confident of late.
“I made a joke one day, if he gets a tech in a game, I’ll pay for his tech… because he doesn’t make any expressions,” All-Star Chicago small forward DeMar DeRozan said, hoping to inspire some more on-court aggression from the 2020 No. 4 draft pick out of FSU.
There’s more out of Chicago:
- At 10-14 on the season, the Bulls seem to be in a bit of a no man’s land when it comes to their short- and long-term futures, opines Bobby Marks of ESPN. After a successful roster overhaul in 2021 led to a fast start, major injuries to Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and Zach LaVine sank the Bulls in the Eastern Conference standings. The team lost 15 of their final 22 games during the 2021/22 season. Marks notes that, with the Bulls now low on assets after offloading several picks in that eventful 2021 summer, they’re closer to the bottom of the East than the top, and may have more luck trading their best players to get worse than they would trading their limited future draft picks to get better.
- The Bulls’ Big Three of LaVine, DeRozan, and center Nikola Vucevic all scored 25 or more points to help Chicago close out the Wizards yesterday. This collective success represents exactly what head coach Donovan hoped for when he issued a challenge to the team’s three top scorers last month to mount a simultaneous combined effort, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “We’re definitely capable,” DeRozan said. “There will be games where other guys come up big for us and take the weight off us having to score. It will vary. As long as we stay aggressive and compete our butt off, I think we’ll be fine.”
- Caruso, recently elevated to the Bulls’ starting lineup ahead of second-year guard Ayo Dosunmu, has earned rave reviews from his coaches and colleagues, Johnson writes in another piece. “He changes the whole game,” DeRozan said. “AC could have four points. But take him out of the game and the game is completely different… He’s a helluva competitor and a helluva person. It’s hard to find teammates like that. The appreciation he has for the game is such a contagious thing. When you’re around him, you feel that joy.”
Bulls have to just tread water for now until the right player becomes available. The front office put all their chips in this core and as the article says the fact they have no draft assets means they’d have a rough rebuild in the near future.
They have too buy now
Just like the Bulls I think the clippers should also blow it up and go for a quick rebuild.
Currently lost 2 games with Kawhi and PG back whoever Kawhi didn’t play today (no surprises there). Before that Kawhi had to hit a game winner a giant the Hornets without Ball and Hayward. They currently sit 14-12 9th in the west.
My main problem with this team is Kawhi is always out and PG often gets injured too. The rest of the team without these two used to be good enough to make the playoffs and then the stars come back and they get bounced. Now the team has gotten worse and the stats still continue to always be out. They’ve gone from the best team on paper to hood when everyone is fit and healthy to 90% of the time a play in side at best.
Crazy 3 team idea
Clippers: MPJ, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Cam Reddish, Zeke and 4 firsts (2 NY 2 Denver)
Knicks: Kawhi Leonard and Jeff Green
Nuggets: PG13
Wont ever happen but I think every team involve wins.
Knicks only have two give up 2 first round picks for a genuine superstar, that’s better than the Jazz who asked for 4 for Donovan Mitchell.
They most likely line up
Brunson Fouriner Kawhi Toppin Robinson
DRose Grimes Green Hartenstein
As for the nuggets they also add a superstar at the cost of 2 first round picks. PG13 is a perfect fit for their system. Two way wing, can give you 20-30 points depending on what you need and lock up the other teams best player.
Murray KCP PG13 Gordon Jokic
Smith Bones Brown Jordan
Leaving the Clippers to line up
Reggie Barrett MPJ Randle Zubac
Wall Kennard Reddish Morris Zeke
Mann
Something which could still be good enough for the playoffs lead by two young future stars but which also still rebuilding team with other teams first round picks, similar to the Celtics.
I’d start Reggie for his leadership and all round ability with RJ at the SG spot and MPJ at the 3 that’s two really good size wings. Randle gets to play his favourite role of first choice scorer so hopefully he gets backs to form. Off the bench Wall runs the second unit filled with young shooters, Kennard Reddish hopefully improves at this area and Marcus Morris. Terrance Mann also gets minutes from time to time.
Can they trade thibs in that deal? Very creative
The Clippers aren’t blowing it up.
In what kind of time frame? If the Bulls, Lakers, Wolves, Clippers, Knicks all have poor fitting pieces, and are not in the playoffs there will be change. Its guaranteed. The clippers can’t play defense, and need a heroes performance from a broken down cripple to defeat a star-studless Hornets roster? I don’t know where you’re from, but I’ve never seen large Market NBA teams sit on their hands very long. Either trade the clippers in the off-season or have another bad season. Its not that complicated, it just happened fast, and a whole bumch of it at once when Kawhi returned sub-par. Scary thing is Kawhi didn’t play last season, and the Clippers were better
Nothing Ballmer has done from the first second he was there suggests he would ever even fathom the notion of blowing it up –
He’s all in, and there’s more on the line than just W/L’s for him out here (Market share, new arena, establishing a new identity *far from the last one)
I like it!
Not going anywhere with DeRozan and LaVine as top options with neither playing any defense and ISO ball is not winning ball.
The Nuggets are not trading MPJ. The Clippers are all in this year to win. If they don’t maybe a blow up will happen.
Bulls need to sell and just reboot the team.
Ayo, Terry and Williams to start and everyone else put on the trade market for assets that can help rebuild the team.
Pull the plug!
DeRozan would be an awesome addition for the Nets. Cam Thomas would be a pitch running partner for Ayo. It would allow him to go to his more natural off guard position.
LaVine to the Knicks ……….
Let’s end the drama ………. Yeeeeeeeesessszzz
What do you send back?
Julius Randle and his “bad” contract, Rose and Reddish maybe a pick since LaVine is a “superstar” the Knicks desperately need
Mikemb : hope bulls dont take randle.bulls dont need the other ball hog and bad contract. Rj maybe, redish or toppin,and unprotect 1st round.
Ahahahah magic actually fleeced another team instead of that happening to them. Times as changing !