NEWSLETTER
I got a lot of things to say today, so let’s jump in …
• We have our first official Bulls free agency rumor! Time to overthink it!
REPORT: Bulls Expected to Be in on Free Agent Forward Derrick Jones Jr.https://t.co/7RWkA9ZtLC
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) October 19, 2020
• For what it’s worth, I believe Jones wearing a Bulls jersey next season is more unlikely than it is likely, at least at this point. Not only do I expect Miami to have some interest in re-signing him (they have a ton of cap space), but several other teams are expected to pick up the phone. If a team like the Hawks or Hornets are prepared to open up their wallet, I’d imagine Arturas Karnisovas pulls his name out of the running rather quickly. The Bulls are working with limited cap space, and Jones would likely eat up a huge chunk of the team’s mid-level exception (which is expected to be roughly $9.2 million). He will also warrant a multi-year deal, and the last thing the Bulls want to do is take away any of their flexibility for the 2021 offseason. Signing Jones would likely mean $7-9 million a year … is that a commitment the Bulls should make?
• If the Bulls new front office can land the 23-year-old forward on a team-friendly deal, be my guest! I’ve seen some folks already quick to say no to a Jones signing, but I’m a bit confused why. I mean, he is pretty easily one of the better names the Bulls could semi-realistic grab this offseason. Sure, he isn’t an equipped outside shooter, but he offers a level of athleticism and inside scoring efficiency that the Bulls desperately need (we talked about his fit more in here). Jones isn’t the sexiest name out there. I get it. However, the guy has shown steady improvement each season and would certainly add solid depth to an area of need. If the Bulls brought him aboard, it would be fine with me.
• NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson listed the players he believes the Bulls should target this offseason. I like the ambition, but I think almost all of the names he listed will be on contenders in 2020-21, except former-Bull E’Twaun Moore.
6 free agents Bulls should target with mid-level exception this offseason https://t.co/r6bIMS2cCZ
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 20, 2020
• In yesterday’s bullets, we questioned what Bulls players could be in The Athletic’s new Top-125 players list. We now have an answer. Both Zach LaVine and Otto Porter landed in Tier 4, along with a wide range of players like D’Angelo Russell, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Domantas Sabonis. Both players fell on the lower end of the fourth tier, with LaVine placed in the “offensive lead guards category” and Otto Porter placed in the “shooters” category. In total, Tier 4 holds players 38-79. I think it’s safe to assume we will not see any more Bulls on this list … unless Coby White is all of a sudden a Top-20 player in the NBA!!!???
• Keep it up, Wendell.
Wendell Carter Jr. practicing corner 3s and looking smooth doing it (via @vanguardsp) pic.twitter.com/2ZFpVIFika
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) October 19, 2020
• I find it hard to hate on this footage, yet some folks have still chosen to do so. Why can’t Carter Jr. work on his outside game? Many believe when he entered the league that he could become a serviceable 3-point shooter, and I still think that’s very much in play. The Bulls need him to space the floor more and help out on the offensive end, so any work he’s putting in on this side of the ball gets a thumbs up from me. I know he stepped out of bounds. I know his shot release is a bit slow. I don’t care. The more he tries to develop his game, the better he could become for this team.
• If you want to wrap your head around some wacky trade ideas, I recommend the most recent Lowe Post Podcast.
• A lot of the trade talks we’ll see over the next couple of weeks will have to do with the 2020 NBA Draft, and rightfully so. I believe it’s pretty commonly speculated that the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors will both look to trade away their pick. Each franchise is looking for a more proven, win-now piece to add to their starting lineup, but it’s hard to say whether or not they can get what they want with such a questionable pool of prospects. Someone is going to have to be very high on LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, or Obi Toppin to move into the top-2. Speaking of which, according to Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, Toppin is gaining a lot of traction right now in NBA circles. Perhaps this is a smokescreen by one of these teams looking to trade down, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
• Billy Donovan >>> this guy
The Indiana Pacers are hiring Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren as their new head coach, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 20, 2020
• I wrote words about football.
THAT Chicago Bears Defense Has Finally Arrivedhttps://t.co/zJTx8agPZ7
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) October 19, 2020
