NEWSLETTER
When news dropped that Marc Eversley could be a primary target for the Portland Trail Blazers’ new front office vacancy, I had a new feeling. Another organization trying to poach a Chicago Bulls top executive isn’t necessarily something I’ve grown accustomed to, especially this quickly.
But, hey, at least it means the Bulls have a well-respected front office again!
Bulls GM Marc Eversley is Expected to Receive “Strong Consideration” for Blazers Top Front Office Vacancyhttps://t.co/Uc90Gvkud2
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 3, 2021
• Eversley joined the Bulls less than two years ago. While he may have been an unknown name to many fans, he was a well-known face inside league circles. He worked his way up the Nike ladder before stepping into the NBA as a player development assistant with the Toronto Raptors in the mid-2000s. He held various roles inside that organization before becoming the VP of Scouting for the Washington Wizards and later the VP of Player Personnel with the Philadelphia 76ers. Someone prized for his relationship-building tactics and player connections, he felt like a strong partner for a quieter talent-evaluator like Arturas Karnisovas.
• Of course, Eversley’s own eye for talent shouldn’t be forgotten. He played a pivotal role in drafting DeMar DeRozan while with the Raptors (huh, what a coincidence!), top-notch defender Matisse Thybulle was also one of his draft picks, he built a strong rapport with Joel Embiid while in Philly, and he was reportedly one of the first to jump aboard the Damian Lillard bandwagon back in the day. The guy has a proven track record of smart decision-making and building connections, and we have already seen both these skills pay off in a significant way during his short tenure in Chicago.
• With that being the case, I find it hard to believe Eversley ends up somewhere else any time soon. Leaving as the Bulls begin to establish their best product in nearly a decade would be a shocking decision. I know the opportunity to be the true No. 1 for a franchise does not come around often, but it very well could for Eversley if one of the biggest franchises in all of sports continues on this trajectory. Also, let’s not forget where things in Portland stand. While the roster is full of talent, exactly how much longer it will remain that way is a fair question. A full-blown rebuild could be on the horizon thanks to the team seemingly in first-round playoff purgatory. Does Eversley want to takeover a potential ticking timebomb?
• According to the Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley, it appears not. The Bulls beat reporter shared over Twitter on Friday evening that he was told the Eversley-Portland news is nothing more than speculation, and Eversley remains focused on building this team. Does that mean things will not change? Absolutely not, but I think he sees himself in a good place right now.
Was told that Marc Eversley-Portland talk is only speculation, and the GM is focused on making an impact with the Bulls before anything else.
— Joe Cowley (@JCowleyHoops) December 3, 2021
• Another change to the Bulls rotation is on the horizon. Thanks to the absence of Coby White and now Javonte Green, head coach Billy Donovan is going to have to dive deeper into his bench for big minutes over the next few games. The expectation should be for Alex Caruso to rejoin the starters while Troy Brown Jr. becomes a second unit staple. I’d also anticipate rookie Ayo Dosunmu to play far more minutes, as he’s only averaged roughly 13.5 per game over the team’s last five contests.
Bulls Depth Takes Another Big Hit as Javonte Green Enters Health and Safety Protocolshttps://t.co/J01q7svdpT
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 3, 2021
• The good news for Chicago is they still have all their primary starters (*knocks vigorously on wood*). Also, as alluded to above, this isn’t the first time they have had to make adjustments to their rotation on the fly. Players like TBJ, Alize Johnson, and Tony Bradley have all proven they can stay ready despite slipping in and out of lineups this season, which has been a huge benefit to the Bulls as they experience one obstacle after another. Obviously, the players deserve the most credit for staying engaged, but this is yet another reason to give the front office a round of applause. Unlike how we saw a major drop-off in talent down the depth chart in previous seasons, AKME ensured roster spots 1-15 were filled with NBA-caliber players (ya know, like a good front office should).
• One morning after the Green news dropped, the Charlotte Hornets reportedly saw FOUR players enter Health and Safety Protocols. Remember, Chicago played this team on Monday night. Let’s all hope Green and White are the only two names to receive a positive test for the Bulls moving forward.
Now team announced Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels have entered into protocols, team says. https://t.co/1Kg9awIuGT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 4, 2021
• NBA dot com released its latest MVP Ladder, and guess which team is the ONLY team to have two candidates in the top-10? Whispers: It’s the Chicago Bulls, duh. DeMar DeRozan has popped up on the list numerous times since the season tipped off thanks to his scorching hot start, but now Zach LaVine has entered the fray. Up to 25.4 points per game on 48.8 percent shooting from the field and 38.8 shooting from downtown, LaVine ranks 8th on the ladder right behind DeRozan. Both players have been equally important in the team’s 15-8 record, which currently has them 2nd in the Eastern Conference. DeRozan ranks first in total 4th quarter points while LaVine ranks 3rd, and among the players averaging at least 25.0 points per game DeRozan and LaVine sit 4th and 5th in FG% behind only Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. It’s early, but you can’t have the MVP conversation right now without mentioning two Bulls. Think about saying that at any point last year. I mean … wow.
• Speaking of Marc Eversley, it looks like he joined Benny the Bull, Patrick Williams, and … freakin’ President Obama … at the South Side YMCA earlier this week. I can’t imagine how cool that was for all the folks in attendance.
I heard the @ChicagoSky and @ChicagoBulls were visiting the South Side YMCA, so I decided to drop by, too. It’s always fun to meet young people who are learning to love the game. pic.twitter.com/lfdl7XrLJQ
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 3, 2021
• Hey, that’s good news!
The Bears Are Planning to Activate Teven Jenkins, Who Could Be Available to Play on Sundayhttps://t.co/yK4ipKrQsX
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 3, 2021
