NEWSLETTER
We are exactly two months away from the tip-off of the 2021-22 NBA season. Ugh, that long?
With Bucks-Nets and Lakers-Warriors announced as headliners for October 19th, we will likely see the new-look Chicago Bulls take the court for the first time this season the next day (though we should know for sure tomorrow). Why? Well, earlier in the week, the league revealed their nationally broadcasted Christmas Day and Opening Week games, while also announcing that the remaining national broadcast schedule would be shared on Friday (which typically aligns with an organization sharing its complete regular-season schedule).
Who do you want to see the Bulls start this big season off against? Beating up on the Pistons? A Ball-Ball matchup with Charlotte? A new rivalry-starting battle with the Heat?
• Reminder: We do already know what the team’s preseason slate will look like. October 5th will mark the Bulls’ first of four matchups, three of which will be held at the United Center. For more on all of that, check out our previous post here.
• Patrick Williams sure did look eager to start the regular season in Summer League. The Bulls No. 4-overall pick added noticeable muscle this summer, and he played an aggressive brand of basketball over his three-game stint. Head coach Damian Cotter also gave Williams a very long leash, as Forbes’ Tommy Beer pointed out that the 19-year-old was one of only four players to average over 32 minutes per game.
four players averaged more than 32 minutes per game in the Las Vegas Summer League.
Three of them were Knicks: Obi, Grimes and IQ
The other was Chicago's Patrick Williams.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) August 18, 2021
• I have to imagine the organization decided beforehand to front-load Williams’ action and limit him to the first three contests. In fact, that strategy may have played a role in Williams’ sense of urgency to test things out on the offensive end. He may have struggled with his efficiency, but I was more than pleased with the sheer versatility and volume of his shot selection.
• We have already written plenty about Williams’ Summer League stint (into which you should still not read too much), so I’ll just make one last point: I’m pleased he got the experience he did at power forward. With the addition of DeMar DeRozan, Williams will surely clock the majority of his minutes this season at the four, which is where he spent only 40 percent of his time last year. While I don’t mind him developing skills at the wing, I think he will be a far more immediately impactful presence on both ends at this position. Vucevic could use Williams’ help defense and athleticism alongside him in the frontcourt. Not to mention, Williams should be a far better rebounder than Lauri Markkanen.
• Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley is buying what the Bulls did this offseason. That makes two of us! Sure, the Bulls spent an uncomfortable amount on DeRozan. And, yes, the front office spent a lot of money – in general – on a team that could have a hard time grabbing the No. 4 seed. At the same time, this new regime wanted to get better, and they wanted to get better fast. There is no question they did exactly that this offseason, and I think Buckley’s final sentence wrapped up my general feeling on all of this well: “The East is good, but so are the Bulls. Any criticisms of their summer spending could easily be drowned out by playoff parties in April.”
• We learned on Wednesday that the Chicago Bulls made Derrick Rose an offer this summer, but the money below reportedly “blew it away.”
Derrick Rose's new contract with the Knicks:
21-22: $13,445,120
22-23: $14,520,730
23-24: $15,596,339Final season is a team option.@spotrac
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 19, 2021
• Good for Scary Terry.
Rozier had a career year last season, averaging 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists and ranking fifth in 3-pointers made in the NBA. He is now among the highest paid guards across the league. https://t.co/X0hf9XkiVB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 19, 2021
• WOOHOO! OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL!
Officially a Chicago Bull! @AyoDos_11 pic.twitter.com/qHFf8l2ak0
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 18, 2021
Marko is here to stay! @msimonovic99 pic.twitter.com/PDb8NiUEzW
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 18, 2021
