I’m off to take a bite out of the Big Apple.
I will be celebrating ‘Merica over the next couple days in New York City, so if you’re hearing from me on a spotty-basis that’s why. I’ll still be getting some stuff out, but you might see a couple more things from Luis and Michael pop up to finish off the week (maybe even Brett!?).
If you have any solid NYC restaurants/activities (I’ve been there before, so let’s avoid super tourist things), feel free to hit me up on Twitter with suggestions (@Schuster_Elias)!
K, onto the bullets!
In case you checked out of the NBA world last night after being overwhelmed by all of the aggressive Bulls moves (why you so extra free agency?), the Bulls brought big man Luke Kornet in on a two-year deal. If you don’t know Kornet, well don’t feel too bad. First off, the guy has been on the Knicks, so that’s already working against him, but he is actually also only 23-years-old. Grabbing Kornet doesn’t necessarily fit with the Bulls “veteran presence” mindset, but the team needed a back-up center and is buying low on the Vanderbilt product.
Don’t get me wrong, none of that means Kornet isn’t a good sign. He is a 7-foot-1 physical player who can knock down the three-pointer, and with a back-up needed from Wendell Carter Jr., he fills that need nicely with plenty of room to grow.
Also, he’s had plenty of reassuring performances over his brief 66-game career. As NBC Chicago Sports’ Mark Strotman points out, Kornet actually put up career-highs in points, rebounds and blocks in three career games against the Bulls. In fact, in his three games against Chicago, Kornet averaged 15 points per game (versus the 6.5 points over the rest of his 63 NBA games played). Hopefully, it’s not playing against the Bulls, but just being on the same court that lights a fire under him, eh? In any case, make sure you go read that whole piece by Kornet, it gives you a good look at the kind of the player the Bulls are getting.
Kornet may not be the most well-known name out there, but he is certainly a solid, inexpensive sign that is worth the gamble for depth purposes. With these signings of Satoransky, Young and Kornet, I think it’s important that we hammer home this point:
The Bulls are winners in this NBA free agency, according to The Athletic’s Zach Harper!
If you don’t happen to know these players very well, don’t be too quick to judge. Each signing has fulfilled a need for the Bulls and will inject a new level of leadership into the locker room. Trust me, I know it can be frustrating not going after the big-hitters, but these players are difference makers for the Bulls. All I ask is before you make up your mind on these guys, go watch some film. For Young, The Athletic’s Stephen Noh did a great piece dissecting his game and also offered some video footage to breakdown his skillset. Give is a watch!
The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry does a great job outlining the good and the bad of the Bulls Young and Satoransky signings. He discusses how the Bulls not only filled two needs on their roster but also continued to grow their talent-base. And neither of the team’s new deals should really ruffle any feathers. Some people were up in arms about the three-years given to Young, but as Mayberry points out, it’s a value contract and, like Satoransky’s, is moveable. The Bulls not only got productive assets that can help improve the team right now, but you can also look at this as “Chicago with a couple more chips that could be attractive down the line should the right opportunity come along.” I just thought that was a good point because it has yet to be brought up. As for what not to like, Mayberry doesn’t have much, but he points out that it does rid Chicago of its flexibility (hence cap space) over the next two seasons. Not to mention, he brings up that you can still make a case for these to signings being “talent-grabs,” but I’m not buying that idea too much.
Okay, Young… you’re saying the right words.
https://twitter.com/ThisIsJMichael/status/1145474015936409600?s=20
WHAT DO YOU KNOW!?
You got to love a good fun fact:
I spent an unnecessary time looking at the 60+ Bulls pre-draft workouts for something in this post… so please just go read it. Summer League starts-up in just two days and the Bulls still need to fine-tune their roster, but I give you a closer look at who the Bulls already have locked in to played over the next week or so. Also, the link to the team’s summer schedule is also included in there.
NEWSLETTER
