Ayo Dosunmu understood that nothing would be guaranteed when he decided to re-sign with the Bulls, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. After receiving a three-year deal worth $21MM as a restricted free agent, Dosunmu now has to prove that he’s worthy of consistent playing time.
With Lonzo Ball out for the season, Chicago appears to have a three-man competition for the starting point guard role. The organization also invested in the re-signed Coby White, who got $33MM over three years, and free agent addition Jevon Carter, who signed for three years at $20MM.
“You know I always want to come out here and compete,” Dosunmu said. “Anybody who says they don’t want to start, they would be not telling the truth. But that’s something that will be taken care of in training camp. … I’m going to make a way. That’s all I can say. I’ve always found a way. I’m going to continue to find a way.”
There’s more on the Bulls:
- Carter, a native of the Chicago area, credits Derrick Rose for inspiring his NBA career (video link). Carter is thrilled to be playing in his hometown after spending time with four teams in his first five seasons. “When I started to watch Derrick Rose, he was really one of the ones that made me believe that going to the NBA was possible,” Carter said.
- Trade speculation surrounding Zach LaVine has calmed down, but it’s likely to resume when the season begins, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. League sources told Cowley they got the impression that the Bulls were exploring their options with LaVine this summer. Even though executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas was pleased with the strong finish to the regular season, Cowley cautions that changes could be coming if the team doesn’t get off to a good start this fall. Cowley also points out that LaVine is Chicago’s only maximum-salary player, and the new CBA could make teams reluctant to add big money in trades.
- Appearing on Iman Shumpert‘s podcast, DeMar DeRozan said it feels like the NBA is trying to de-emphasize the mid-range game, but he doesn’t mind going against the tide (hat tip to Josh Buckhalter of Heavy.com). “The threes, that’s cool. I’m not never against that or anything,” DeRozan told Shumpert. “But sometimes it’s a complete game that you could have too, playing basketball. And I think so much of that gets lost by so many threes being shot.”
Demar should have BEEN traded already.
I’ll swap him for Tobias if it’s on the table. Both on expiring deals works for me too
At least the ball will move on offense with Demar off the Bulls.
Demer is right too about the three. It is making me lose interest in the game.
Bulls just going backwards….
They invested heavily in creating a big 3 of LaVine DeRozan and Vuce, which cost them giving up Jimmy Butler, Wendell Carter Jr, Lauri Markeneen and multiple first round picks among a bunch of cap space aswell.
Now more recently, they give Ayo 21mil, give Coby White 33mil and at the same time gave Jevon Carter 20mil. All 3 are somewhat overpays that don’t fill the need for a starting point guard with Lonzo Ball out, they are all at best role playing back ups. They let Pat Bev walk for the vets min even tho he filled that starting point guard role really well. Although his stats were poor they won 13 and lost 9 games in the 22 he played (all starts).
On top of that they draft poorly too, with the 35th pick in the draft they add Julian Phillips who is a terrible shooter. Ofocurse the year before that they took Dalen Terry 18th who also can shoot.
Not sure if it’s the coaching staff or FO but something needs to change not only on the court.
Personally I’d be looking to move DeRozan, he’s about to be 34 in the final year of his deal.
I’d go DeRozan and Drummond for Rozier, Martin, Kai Jones and JT Thor.
Charlotte could do with DeRozan and Drummond as two experienced vets next to their young guys. Both on and off the court both guys would offer a much more calming presence and do a lot in terms of developing these guys. Even if both guys don’t say beyond one season they along with Hayward give the hornets a huge amount of money to spend in FA at the end of the season.
Meanwhile Chicago get themselves a solid starting point guard that’ll pair nicely with Zach. Rozier can play on or off the ball, offer some defence and some shooting too. Martin Jones and Thor all just offer some depth.
From there you need to get rid of some guards..
I’d go Alex Caruso for Issac Okoro
Cleveland have mutiple options at the 3 spot and don’t need Okoro. Caruso instead gives them a top tier elite defender who they are more likely to need coke playoffs and it means they don’t have to try work out a extension either
Now Chicago looks like
Rozier LaVine Okoro Pat Will Vuce
White Ayo Martin Jones ….
Carter Terry Phillips
Need a back up centre but can easily grab someone for the vets min such as Tristan Thompson, Boban Marjanovic, Willie Cauley-Stein or Christian Wood if they want to make a little splash.
Either way Terry and Zach work much better as a duo and Vuce would get a bunch more touches aswell. Okoro and Patty give them two really good defenders and hopefully both step up in the last year of their deals. Off the bench you have multiple guards White Ayo and Carter and mutiple forwards Martin Jones Phillips all. Styling away for minutes. Then to finish up I’d get Wood and use the Lonzo DPE money to get him. Would be a solid sixth man and I’d actually try run him with Vuce and a PF at times.
Even if you don’t make the playoffs you’ve gone younger and made an effort to be better and plan ahead
Too true, too true DeMar!
There’s so much more to shooting 3s & going against the tide always is a good thing in my book, so you are a legend dude, keep up the good work!
Agree with you. Wide open looks from the 3 point line are very important but contested 3s are just bad shots.
NBA at it’s weakest defensively ever
For the last 5 yrs. DeM DeR FG% has been around 50%. That’s among the best in history for SG. In short he’s a bucket. Plus in that same time he goes to FT over 7 times. And shoots .87% FT. And he’s clutch …….
In short he should be a NYK …….
DeM DeR come to a place where you will get the love you deserve ….
Sure… Come to a place where they never win and where Al lives in a day dream. Why would any superstar player ever want to play in that city! The last star you guys had was Melo and how did you guys treat him??? That’s why no real superstar will ever come to NY ever again or unless he is on the downside of his career or terribly over paid at the end of his career. Keep dreaming there Al!
Sure… Come to a place where they never win and where Al lives in a day dream. Why would any ball superstar player ever want to play in that city! The last star you guys had was Melo and how did you guys treat him??? That’s why no real superstar will ever come to NY ever again or unless he is on the downside of his career or terribly over paid at the end of his career. Keep dreaming there Al!
Melo was a star ????
I must have missed that.
DeM is 34 tool. So I guess he’s prime for NY.
I may dream. But you are delusional