NEWSLETTER
As Lauri Markkanen got his wish, the Chicago Bulls got a big fat hole at the power forward position.
• Patrick Williams appears set to anchor the frontcourt slot in the starting lineup this season, but the depth behind him is scarce at best.
• DeMar DeRozan has plenty of experience playing the position in some small-ball lineups, but he will also be eating the majority of his minutes alongside Williams in the starting five.
• Marko Simonovic is another option (the 2019 second-round pick is a versatile big man who has flashed the ability to play along the perimeter overseas). Unfortunately, we have yet to see what that looks like at the NBA level, and it would be more than a risk to start the season relying too heavily on him in either frontcourt spot.
• Derrick Jones Jr., whom the front office acquired as part of the team’s sign-and-trade for Markkanen, could see his fair share of work backing up Patrick Williams. At the same time, he doesn’t necessarily fit well next to a non-floor spacing backup center like Tony Bradley. Jones also might have the athleticism and length to battle with some NBA fours, but he is still traditionally considered a wing with a rather skinny frame.
In other words, this Bulls roster would heavily benefit from the addition of a more experienced frontcourt piece. And, fortunately, it appears the front office is making this a priority as they look to fill their remaining roster spots.
Paul Millsap is one of the top veteran free agents still left in the open market, and he’s already been connected to the Bulls this week. The 36-year-old may not be the same high-impact All-Star he once was, but he has still proven to be a worthwhile rotation player who can defend at a high level, limit mistakes, and slide into the starting lineup when needed. With all of that in mind, it’s no surprise The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Chicago is currently pursuing Millsap. It’s also no surprise that the Nets, Warriors, and Clippers were reported as teams coveting Millsap as well.
Chicago might have the upper hand, however. At least, Michael Scotto practically said as much on the most recent edition of the HoopsHype Podcast.
One name to keep an eye on is free-agent forward Paul Millsap, because Bulls executive Arturas Karnisovas was with Millsap during their time together in Denver, and the bi-annual exception could be in play for Millsap in Chicago.
The prior relationship between Karnisovas and Millsap can not be forgotten. In a battle with true contenders, it could be this foundation that helps convince Millsap to take his talents to the Windy City. We already saw a similar relationship between general manager Marc Eversley and DeMar DeRozan work that way earlier this summer.
More importantly, Chicago’s ability to dangle the bi-annual exception – worth roughly $3.7 million – in front of Millsap could be a key ingredient. Some of the other interested parties like the Nets and Clippers could offer only a minimum deal. The Warriors could technically make Chicago up the ante by offering Millsap their non-taxpayer MLE worth $5.9 million, but team president Bob Meyers suggested recently that the team may not use it this summer. Also, Chicago could technically counter by taking Millsap in via their $5.3 million trade exception created in the Daniel Theis sign-and-trade. So … yeah … if Chicago wants him, it appears they can likely offer the best deal to go along with a pretty major rotational role.
But he’s not the only option. Scotto also went on to mention another name that still could be in the mix for a Bulls roster spot:
Another forward who has gotten some interest from the Bulls among other teams – particularly contenders this summer – is James Ennis, as well. So keep an eye on that. Obviously, the Bulls are making a push to try to make the playoffs, and make this team as competitive as possible it seems going into next season.
Ennis is a 30-year-old NBA journeyman who has played for the Orlando Magic over the past two seasons. Over his 41 games in 2020-21, he averaged 8.4 points and 4.0 rebounds on 47.3 percent shooting from the field and 43.3 percent shooting from downtown (this was low volume, however, at just 2.5 attempts per game). Like Jones, Ennis is a player who has spent most of his time at the wing, but he has the six-foot-seven frame and multi-positional defensive chops that could help him eat minutes at the power forward position.
Still, while Ennis might be a decent buy-low depth candidate, Millsap surely feels like the Bulls’ top remaining target.
