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Can Zach LaVine Find the Right Situation? Alex Caruso’s DPOY Vote, Patrick Williams, and Other Bulls Bullets

Elias Schuster Elias Schuster
May 08, 2024
Chicago Bulls
Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls during his 17-game absence

The NBA playoffs continue to teach us some valuable lessons.

  • As we’ve already discussed during this postseason, youth is important! Anthony Edwards, Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Tyrese Haliburton are leading teams that have a chance at a conference finals berth. Meanwhile, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are all watching from Cancun. If I’m Arturas Karnisovas, this would sure make me rethink building a future squad around a soon-to-be 35-year-old DeMar DeRozan!

  • The other major lesson we’ve learned is that reputations can change. Zach LaVine might as well be the head counselor at the “good stats, bad team” camp. He has four playoff games on his decade-long NBA resume, and he averaged just 19.3 points on 42.9 percent shooting during those contests. But a certain player on LaVine’s former team is reminding us of what the right environment can do for your carer. Karl-Anthony Towns has largely been evaluated under the same microscope as LaVine. Many have suggested – that while extremely talented offensively – he doesn’t impact winning at a high enough level. We’ve questioned his decision-making, defensive consistency, and leadership time and again since ending the league in 2015-16. But now he’s dropping 27 points on 10-15 shooting to take a 2-0 lead over the reigning champions.

  • Bill Simmons was talking about KAT’s steady play on the most recent episode of his podcast, and he made one important point – “that’s the thing about basketball, never give up on talent apparently.” I’m not saying the Bulls shouldn’t give up on Zach LaVine, to be clear. The guy has practically requested a trade, so I still think it’s in everyone’s best interest to find him a new stomping ground. Instead, I believe KAT serves as a reminder of what putting LaVine in the right environment could do. We all know he’s one of the most efficient and multi-dimensional scorers in the league when healthy. We also know the Bulls have consistently housed a front office that struggles to put a contending team together. Give LaVine a true star running mate and some smart executives; the narrative could change quickly.

    • Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls

  • In many ways, this is another reason the price could slowly trend in the right direction for Chicago. All it takes is one or two teams to believe they could be the one that fixes LaVine. Heck, we’re already hearing reports that interest could be building …

    • Zach LaVine’s Trade Market to Develop Sooner Than Expected?

  • Alex Caruso received one third-place vote for Defensive Player of the Year. Look, I didn’t think he’d show up on the ballot at all, so I’ll take it!

  • If Caruso is on a winning team, I think he’s getting a couple more votes. I wouldn’t expect him to be a legitimate threat to win the award, but could he have at least received one first-place vote or a couple of second-place votes? We might find out if he’s capable of that as soon as next season. If Karnisovas really wants to change up this roster in a meaningful way, cashing in on Caruso this offseason might be the best way to do so. He’s one of the few trade assets on this team who should still have real value. I’m not going to be shocked if news drops that contending teams are calling closer to the draft.

  • To answer this question: No.

  • The argument that DeMar DeRozan is stunting Patrick Williams’ growth is silly. If anything, he’s likely a great mentor for the young forward who is learning to expand his offensive game. Would more shot attempts for Williams be nice to see? Sure, but we’ve also seen him struggle to run with that opportunity in the past. Williams has already dodged a lot of chances to step up over his first few seasons.

  • Billy Donovan should bring in Angel Reese to teach the Bulls some defense …

  • Angel Reese is already reaching ELITE teammate status. She told reporters on Tuesday – less than 24hrs after stunting everyone at the freakin’ Met Gala – that she’s going to use her endorsements to get her coaches and teammates a lot of free stuff.

  • Candace Parker is already making big moves post-retirement!

  • I’m so glad nobody else has hired this guy yet.

    • Ian Cunningham Saved the Bears a Draft Pick

  • I mean, I’ll take it!

    • Why the Blackhawks Staying at No. 2 is a Draft Lottery Win

    Read More

    written by

    Elias Schuster

    Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

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