NEWSLETTER
French press coffee.
That’s it. That’s the intro.
• Despite dominating much of the free agency news cycle earlier this week, things have gone quiet in Chicago. The Bulls have yet to officially announce any of their summer acquisitions as it appears the front office continues to iron out logistics. All we have learned thus far is that the Daniel Theis sign-and-trade will return a $5 million trade exception, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, which is less than the originally expected amount. Why? Theis received more than a 20 percent increase in his salary with Houston, which triggers a provision that states the Bulls can only take back the amount Theis made during the 2020-21 season, as opposed to the amount he will make in his first season with the Rockets.
A note on the Daniel Theis s/t with Houston
Because of Base Year Compensation, the trade exception that Chicago created is the amount of Theis's salary ($5M) from 2020/21 and not the amount of the actual outgoing salary ($8M).
This would eliminate an Alex Caruso s/t with LAL.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 8, 2021
• The initial thought was that the Bulls could use the trade exception in this deal to turn the Alex Caruso contract into a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, thus giving the Lakers their own trade exception and opening up more spending power for the Bulls. However, since the amount Chicago has received in return is only $5 million, it will not be enough to absorb Caruso’s new four-year, $37 million contract. The front office will now for sure have to use the mid-level exception to get the deal done, which will leave them with less flexibility around the margins as they try to round out the roster.
• Again, while the DeMar DeRozan deal has yet to be announced by the team, Thaddeus Young has already said his goodbyes. The Chicago Bulls big man posted a farewell message to fans on his Instagram earlier this morning: “It was a pleasure and an honor to wear the Chicago Bulls across my chest.”
View this post on Instagram
• Young leaves Chicago with 11.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game over his 132 games played. His first season as a member of the Bulls was all kinds of dysfunctional, but the 2020-21 campaign will not soon be forgotten. Not only did he help this new-look franchise establish a more respectable environment behind the scenes, but he played some of his best basketball in years this past season. Young’s value skyrocketed due to his pocket passing, steady defense, and efficient interior scoring. The Bulls will undoubtedly miss this reliable play but headed toward 33-years-old in the last season of his current deal, a divorce was likely coming at some point or another.
• I would have loved to see Young on this team next season, but I also think his departure might not be as worrisome as I’ve seen some suggest. The most value he brought to the floor came as a facilitator, and the need for that ability already dropped a little with the acquisition of Nikola Vucevic, who is a solid post passer in his own right. The addition of a pick-and-roll maestro like DeMar DeRozan and a strong transition player like Lonzo Ball will also significantly improve the Bulls’ playmaking. Young’s defense is likely what will be missed the most, but Patrick Williams could very well help make up for his absence in the frontcourt with another step in the right direction.
• By the way, with the number of complicated deals the Bulls did – and the fact they are currently under investigation for tampering – the delayed announcements feel understandable. I’d rather the front office take its time to ensure everything is right and a player like Lauri Markkanen finds a new home.
• While his offensive volume was not anywhere near what we are used to seeing, this is such a promising stat line for Zach LaVine.
Zach LaVine’s final Olympic numbers:
9.7 points
3.3 assists
2 rebounds
0.8 steals
60 FG%
45.5 3PT%Plus, solid defense and, of course, most important: Gold
Everything is trending upward with LaVine, who is about to play on his most talented NBA team in 2021-22.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) August 7, 2021
• The Bulls All-Star surely learned several things during his time with Team USA, but one of the most important could very well be how to contribute alongside other high-impact players. Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic will be three of the most talented players LaVine has ever spent a full season playing alongside. Especially next to a fellow ball-dominant player like DeRozan, the experience LaVine gained moving off the ball in Tokyo could make for an easier adjustment. Don’t get me wrong, LaVine will still be viewed as the team’s No. 1 offensive option, but he will have to defer far more than he ever has before. LaVine’s Team USA experience could make this normally tough adjustment that much more comfortable.
• NBC Sports Chicago gives a good breakdown of the current tampering investigation.
The NBA’s tampering investigation into the Bulls’ pending acquisition of Lonzo Ball has created plenty of questions. We offer some answers.
Ultimately, the NBA will supply the biggest and most important one.
For @NBCSChicago: https://t.co/KlbT69Tg6M
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) August 8, 2021
• Bruh, can we please just get through Summer League safe and sound. I need to see P-Will, Ayo, and Marko go off.
Due to ongoing contact tracing within the Wizards, the team does not have enough players to proceed with tonight's game. https://t.co/jqmnXaZOQT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 8, 2021
