Football snack suggestions are welcomed in the comments! I’m leaning toward chicken and waffle sandwiches for tomorrow, but we’ll see.
• With two competent front office leaders finally at the helm of this organization – and a new head coach on the way – it’s easy to get hyped. Bulls fans are arguably the most optimistic they’ve been in over a decade, and rightfully so. However, we need to remember that Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley are (most likely) thinking big picture. In other words, Chicago will probably not be strong contenders in the playoff race next season. And that’s okay. Sure, there is a world where the team grabs a No. 8 or No. 7 seed in a rather open Eastern Conference, but that should arguably be the peak of our expectations.
• The reason I bring this up is because I’ve seen many overly-hopeful trade proposals across the Twitterverse this offseason, and most recently in Sam Smith’s latest mailbag. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good imaginary trade as much as the next guy, but we shouldn’t fall into the trap of believing one will happen in the immediate future. Not to mention, a bulk of these players that fans like to throw into the conversation would make little to no sense for Chicago. Ever since last offseason, guys like Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook have been popular names to bring up, but can someone describe to me how that type of player would make any sense for the current roster? Not only do the Bulls not want to acquire someone with a hefty contract at this moment in time, but it’s doubtful that a high-profile veteran would want to come in a teach these young whipper-snappers.
• This next season will be used as a larger evaluation period to determine which members of the young core are truly worth building around. The (*knocks on wood*) goal is to reel in a big fish come 2021 free agency, so keeping books clean and options open is vital over the next year or so. If the Bulls do make any moves, I have to imagine it’ll be to simply gain more assets or free-up cap more cap space. For example, trading a player like Thaddeus Young or Tomas Satoransky will likely be on the table for Karnisovas over the next several months. Both are role players that could fit onto most contenders, and thus should draw a suitable return of draft picks and an expiring contract. The picks will probably not be anything too special, but Karnisovas has proven he can turn any draft pick into a good one.
• I would very much consider this season a success if the Bulls are in a position to trade Otto Porter. The fact of the matter is, the guy is one of the best 3-and-D wing players in the NBA when healthy. If he can have a bounceback start to the 2020 season (this is all assuming he picks up his player option), the Bulls could get quite the return at the deadline. We’re talking a protected 1st from a non-lottery team and an expiring contract or two. The best-case scenario would probably also mean that the expiring contract is someone that can be resigned during the offseason to make the roster look a tad more mature for a big-time free agent. In general, I think Porter could draw Robert Covington interest this season. Ugh, look at me, now I’m the one who’s getting a bit overly ambitious with imaginary trades. I better stop.
• Uh, that’s one hell of a club.
Coby’s future is bright ☀️ pic.twitter.com/sBlaL0aIGu
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 19, 2020
• Wes Unseld Jr. still seems to be the favorite. Are the Bulls just waiting for the Nuggets to leave the bubble?
https://twitter.com/ScoopB/status/1307105015299964928?s=20
• Any time I see this, I must share it:
Chicago Bulls intro (1997)
NBA Finals Game 6
Jazz vs Bulls pic.twitter.com/wY5Wl8RZgT— 90s NBA (@NBA90s) September 18, 2020
• AND NOT ALLEN ROBINSON!?
REPORT: Bears Could Have Extension for TARIK COHEN Done As Soon As Todayhttps://t.co/FEpSQ2oixw
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) September 19, 2020