NEWSLETTER
The MLB will hold the first-ever Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville, Iowa later this evening, and it got me thinking … what would be the basketball equivalent?
Tune Stadium from Space Jam would be pretty cool, but it might be a lot to ask of NBA players to get sucked down a golf hole and kissed by Bugs Bunny. I threw this question out on Twitter, and Rucker Park was the most popular answer that came up. I’d love to see that happen, but it would have to be some kind of exhibition/preseason game, right? No way the NBA holds an actual game outside. With that in mind, the Hoosiers gym might make the most sense, but I also feel like that would miss a level of flare and excitement.
Fortunately, I’m not the one who calls the shots, so I can instead yell at the person who does. Do something, Adam Silver! Also … stop your tampering investigation!
• The Bulls burst into the party, hopped up on the table, took a pull of Jack Daniels, and started to rap Baby Got Back. In other words, they have made their presence felt. The additions of Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso have been talked about plenty on the national stage. All three are not only recognizable names but high-impact players (to varying degrees) that significantly improves the Chicago Bulls’ all-around talent level. However, the question remains: Will it significantly improve the results? Or, for the sake of my dumb analogy, will they be the life of the party or an overly ambitious tipsy guest?
This Early Win Total Projection for the Bulls is … Extremely Unkindhttps://t.co/RWmhwsRqCr
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 12, 2021
• The verdict will remain out until the games are played (and, even then, I expect a mix of opinions on the competitive legitimacy of this roster). But I have been pleasantly surprised with the balance of the Bulls’ offseason discourse thus far. While many are skeptical of how far this core can take the franchise, they have at least respected the front office’s pursuit. Zach Lowe provided us with a good example of this in his latest at ESPN. Ranking the winners and losers of free agency, the Bulls were not anywhere near the bottom, but they also were not sitting comfortably near the top. Lowe simply said the Bulls took a gamble this summer. I can live with that for now, especially after years of being non-existent in the free-agent market and non-players in the playoff race. Not to mention, a gamble can lead to a big payoff.
• I also think Lowe wrapped up his thoughts on Chicago with an important note:
That said, LaVine and Alex Caruso are just entering their primes; DeRozan and Vucevic are still in theirs. The Bulls have a nice age-range mix, which should give them at least some wiggle room to change direction if need be.
• I tried to make a similar point in the past: The Bulls are not bound to this core. They may have limited future flexibility with some of the additions, and they are clearly hoping this roster can achieve great success, but I don’t think this front office would go this route without a way out. There is no untradable contract in today’s NBA. Additionally, the money is at least tied to big-name assets with a proven statistical track record. Do you think it will be impossible for the Bulls to move a $27 million expiring DeRozan deal in two years? Probably not. To be clear, I don’t want to make it seem like I’m out on these moves (I’m not), but I’ve seen a lot of worry about how the team has heavily restricted their future flexibility. Has it been tightened? Yes, but smart front offices can continue to operate around obstacles.
• The Bulls need to build a foundation of success. Even if that just starts with early playoff exits, it at least can demonstrate to others around the league that the organization is possibly only one or two pieces away from true title contention. You got to start somewhere. This is at least part of the reason why the Bulls were comfortable paying a premium for a guy like DeMar DeRozan. Say what you will about his on-court deficiencies, but he is a well-respect player with his fair share of postseason experience. Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball have never sniffed the playoffs. In fact, neither has come particularly close. DeRozan is a guy who has played under the spotlight (whether that be in the actual playoffs or during a regular-season playoff hunt). Alex Caruso is another name we can add to that list. He has cracked the postseason twice in his career, and he even has a ring to show for it. But, no matter the outcome, having multiple seasons of playoff-caliber basketball under your belt can be crucial on a team looking to take the next step.
Lonzo Ball (like LaVine) has never sniffed the playoffs, which makes the DeRozan and Caruso signings feel all the more important.
DeRozan: Six seasons with a playoff appearance (58 games)
Caruso: 2 seasons (27 games & one 💍)
Don’t care how it went, that experience helps.
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 12, 2021
• I’m excited to see what Troy Brown Jr. can do next season. I have been high on him since he entered the league in 2018. I think his defensive versatility and playmaking upside should be a great asset for this Bulls’ second unit, and it should give Billy Donovan even more lineup opportunities as the season stretches on. Also, remember, Brown is still just 22-years-old!
"We got us a dub!"@Troy_Brown33 was mic'd up courtside during our 22-point Summer League comeback!@ATT | #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/4AFZdqjbJc
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 11, 2021
• Marko Simonovic will be at it again this afternoon when the Bulls play the Timberwolves at 3:00 p.m. CT.
Marko workin' in Vegas. 13 points, 5 rebounds in 18 minutes of yesterday's win! @msimonovic99 | #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/Gs9isYPrsA
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 12, 2021
• You think he had to pay Javonte Green for the number?
1of1 #1️⃣1️⃣
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) August 12, 2021
• FWIW: It appears DeRozan’s deal has checked in at three million less than initially reported.
Post DeRozan trade for Chicago
Below the:
tax: $18M
hard cap: $23M
under contract: 10 (includes Bradley and Green)Contract for DeRozan started at $26M ($82M fully guaranteed)
Lauri Markkanen QO is $9M
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 11, 2021
