In case you haven’t seen Michael’s latest post on the website, he filled everyone in on our re-design that will take place in about a week. I’ve seen some glimpses of the new-look, and I really think y’all will like it. Not only will it continue to be super user-friendly, but it’ll make BN look WAY more up to date.
If you want to learn some more, check out Michael’s post here:
Bradley Beal, Jordan Poole, and John Collins. As the offseason kicks into high gear with free agency opening up this Friday, a new trend has emerged. We’ve seen multiple teams act more eager than ever before to offload their long-term contracts. Beal – a multi-time All-Star – was dealt for a boatload of second-rounders, first-round pick swaps, and Chris Paul’s salary. While that is a lot on paper, it’s far less valuable of a return than a player of his caliber usually nets in return. The Warriors sent Poole and his four-year, $128 million deal to Washington for just one year of a pricey Chris Paul. And, most recently, John Collins found his way to Utah in exchange for nothing more than veteran forward Rudy Gay and a future second-rounder. He still has three years, $78 million on his contract.
Thanks to the new CBA that will kick in this season, it could be a bigger deal than ever to have overpaid talent on the roster. A second tax apron has been established, and harsh punishments are now in place for teams that go on to exceed that apron during the season. While some teams – like the Phoenix Suns – may not care, most teams seemingly want to start this new CBA era with relatively clean books. And, well, this could present some major trouble for the Chicago Bulls.
The market isn’t as conducive as it used to be for Arturas Karnisovas to make a drastic roster move. Of course, it’s unclear if he even wants to go down that path. But it’s frustrating to know that, even if he did opt for a big change, finding the right return in the market could be the most difficult it has been in years. Teams are going to be extremely hesitant about taking on Zach LaVine’s contract that owes him an average of $43 million for the next four seasons. Even DeRozan, who has one year left on his current deal, may not draw the kind of interest he once could because the team that acquires him will feel pressured to have him an extension.
If the Bulls can’t make a big move, however, how are they going to retool this roster? They do not have the financial flexibility needed to add the facilitating and shooting they desperately need. They can say they’ll enter the luxury tax to add talent all they want, but I’m simply not going to believe that until I see it. Yeah, I know, this whole situation kind of sucks! All we can do right now is hope that the front office can get creative and make the most of its current assets. Trusting they can accomplish that, though, is a lot easier said than done.
The closer we inch toward free agency, the more I envision another Andre Drummond/Goran Dragic offseason. Instead, this year, it’ll probably be something like Derrick Rose/Juan Toscano-Anderson.
The Rose stuff scares the crap out of me. Not only would the signing continue to ignore the blatant holes on this roster, but it would be all about selling tickets as opposed to winning basketball games. For what it’s worth, NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson seems to agree that a reunion would make little sense:
“I just don’t see the fit. Unless the Bulls are doing it for a PR reason, which I would understand, I just don’t see the basketball fit,” Johnson said onn the latest Bulls Talk Podcast. “I think Derrick offensively can still do it … but this team needs defense, shooting, a true floor general. Derrick at his best is still more of a scoring guard.”
You can listen to the full podcast from the great folks at NBC Sports Chicago here:
I remain extremely impressed with how DeMar DeRozan has aged. A recent video posted by the Chicago Bulls’ social team is a good reminder of how explosive he remains. Throughout the past two seasons, he has consistently snuck up on guys with his sneaky hops for some pretty outstanding slams.
Speaking of which, I don’t want any of my thoughts on the Bulls’ need for change to come off as if I don’t believe DeRozan will age well. I think that if the man has proven anything in the past two seasons, it’s that he remains one of the most methodical and lethal scorers in the NBA. And, again, it’s clear that he does a great job keeping his body healthy. As far as 20+ point scorers go around the league, he is one of the more readily available. The tough thing with DeRozan will continue to be finding him a team where isolation-heavy play makes sense. But, as far as his ability to do what he does best at a high level for years to come, I wouldn’t be worried about that.
If you want to learn a little bit more about the Bulls’ newest addition, here ya go:
In all seriousness, that report by Haynes shows exactly the kind of probably Phoenix is about to run into. Their depth could be truly horrendous and the downfall of their team. For as great as Beal, Durant, and Booker might be offensively, the Nuggets and Heat just reminded us that it also takes solid role players to compete for a championship.
Contrary to popular belief, the most shocking news of the day wasn't the Damian Lillard trade. Instead – in an absolutely baffling turn of events – the Chicago Bulls front office made a public appearance! *the crowd gasps and someone faints*...
DeMar DeRozan must think he looks good in red. The six-time All-Star recently spoke with Mark Medina of Sportskeeda in a wide-ranging interview. When asked about his long-term vision, DeRozan made clear that he sees a future in Chicago. “That’s...
In one of the most shocking trades in recent memory, the Milwaukee Bucks have landed Damian Lillard. The superstar point guard will team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo to form arguably the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference this...
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Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley are hopping on 670 The Score at noon today. How many seconds pass until we hear the word "continuity?" Place your bets now! Shoutout to Bulls Central for drawing my attention to something utterly ridiculous....
After the Chicago Bulls deny all those Zach LaVine trade rumors — and drop "continuity" more times than we can count at Media Day — training camp officially will begin on Oct. 3! The organization is taking its talents to...
If I'm head coach Billy Donovan, I walk into training camp with one question written in big bold letters on the whiteboard: "What's Our Offensive Identity?" While many believed that side of the ball would always figure itself out, last...
I want to sincerely apologize to every Bleacher Nation reader. As I looked at the calendar today and realized less than one month stands between us and the start of the NBA season, I recognized I had yet to write...
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I want to sincerely thank the Chicago Bears. Due to good old-fashioned "continuity," I was lacking my normal level of excitement for the start of the Chicago Bulls season. Now, however, I NEED BASKETBALL RIGHT FREAKIN' NOW!!! I don't care...
Today's MLB slate has 11 exciting matchups in store. Among those contests is the Chicago Cubs taking on the Atlanta Braves.Keep reading and you'll discover MLB player prop bets for each and every game on today's slate -- MLB prop...
The Arizona Diamondbacks (84-74) and Chicago White Sox (60-98) meet Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field, starting at 2:10 PM ET on MLB Network. The Diamondbacks are -148 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the White Sox are favored against the...
After a four-hit game last time out, Max Kepler leads the Minnesota Twins (85-73) as -274 favorites against the Oakland Athletics (48-110). Action gets underway from Target Field at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday, live on BSN.Minnesota's Sonny Gray gets...
Quarterback Taysom Hill faces a matchup against the 24th-ranked pass defense in the NFL (256 yards allowed per game) in Week 4, when his New Orleans Saints meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.Is Hill's game versus...
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff will match up with the 10th-ranked passing defense of the Green Bay Packers (199.7 yards allowed per game) in Week 4, at 8:15 PM ET on Thursday.With his upcoming game against the Packers this week,...
Quarterback Anthony Richardson has a matchup versus the seventh-ranked passing defense in the NFL (181 yards conceded per game) in Week 4, when his Indianapolis Colts meet the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.With his upcoming matchup versus...
The Seattle Seahawks versus the New York Giants is one of many solid options on the Week 4 NFL schedule.One of the best ways to wager on football is via NFL player prop bets. There are props for each of...
Three times the Cubs had a late lead in this one, and three times the Braves tied it up. Bottom of the 8th, bottom of the 9th, and bottom of the 10th. And then the Braves walked it off in...
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The Troy Trojans versus the Georgia State Panthers is a game to catch on a Week 5 college football schedule that features a lot of thrilling contests.Here is the betting info to dissect prior to Week 5 in college football.[lasso...
