I am now on Day 3 of trying to finish prospect profiles ahead of next week’s 2022 NBA Draft.
I thought I’d for sure send my first batch of notes into the universe on Tuesday, but the Chicago Bulls decided to hijack nearly every hour of the day with a new rumor/report. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing this organization so heavily featured in the offseason conversation (it makes day-to-day easier, that’s for sure), but can we chill for … like … a couple of hours? I’m trying to get super hyped about the draft over here!
As a chaotic summer continues, I keep turning back to the Bulls’ end-of-season press conferences. From DeMar DeRozan to Lonzo Ball to Arturas Karnisovas, the message from the majority of the team was clear: Continuity was key. Of course, a lot can change between then and the start of training camp. And we all know Karnisovas isn’t afraid to make the quick move when an opportunity presents itself. But I do think the words uttered on that day remain the goal.
After all, this is the same roster that rose to the top of the Eastern Conference when *almost* fully healthy. I don’t want to use that fact as a clutch, but it would be silly to totally cast it aside. The organization clearly had something in that roster, and the last thing they want to do is deconstruct a known commodity to the extent that the Bulls risk a step backward. Familiarity is important in today’s ever-changing NBA, just look at the two teams in the Finals.
If there is one move the Bulls can make without messing too strongly with the nucleus, it would surely be moving sparkplug scorer Coby White. The last remaining draft selection of the GarPax regime and up for a contract extension this summer, now would be a smart time to try to cash in on his potential. And reports continue to suggest the Bulls are evaluating just that, with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony being the most recent to say they could look to package it along with the No. 18 pick.
Rival teams say the Bulls aren’t in love with their options here, and they are open to trading the pick, potentially in a package with combo guard Coby White.
As a previous member of the Coby White Fan Club (we called ourselves the “wow bros”), it pains me to say that I’m open to moving the 22-year-old. Not only is the guard position currently stuffed in Chicago, but his inconsistencies have become increasingly frustrating. The Bulls are a team in win-now mode, and finding some kind of more reliable role player for him could be a real win.
Now, where I struggle is the idea of sending White out alongside this year’s first-rounder. I don’t want to overvalue a No. 18 pick, but Karnisovas has been praised for his eye for talent in the past. The Bulls are thin when it comes to young talent, and this presents another crucial opportunity to add to their future arsenal. Let’s not forget: They don’t have a 2023 or 2025 first-rounder anymore (though, they do have a protected future Blazers pick), so these opportunities aren’t going to be all that frequent moving forward.
Also, speaking to Givony’s report, I think we should highlight the use of “rival executives.” I’m not convinced any opposing front office has a good feel for the Bulls brass yet, and these “rival executives” could have been the same ones stirring up the ‘Zach LaVine is leaving’ rumors.
Please get healthy. Please get healthy. Please get healthy. Please get healthy. Please get healthy. Please get healthy. Please get healthy. Please get healthy. Please get healthy. Please get healthy.
Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.
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