The Illini beat No. 19 Kansas. The Bears erased a 17-0 deficit to win Caleb Williams’ first start. Both my fantasy teams got absolutely slaughtered.
You can’t win ’em all, right?
- In case you missed it, we got some disappointing basketball news this weekend. Angel Reese is officially sidelined for the remainder of the season. The good news is that Isabella Harrison was able to slide into Reese’s starting role and help guide the Sky to another much-needed win over the Dallas Wings with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Rookie Kamilla Cardoso also stepped up and recorded 10 points with 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.
- Oh, and Chennedy Carter did Chennedy Carter things …
- Thanks to the Indiana Fever beating the Atlanta Dream 104-100, the Sky have now gained a one-game advantage over the Dream for the No. 8 seed (aka the final playoff spot). They also currently hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Dream, but the two will face off one more time on September 17. If the Sky can continue their winning streak, that game might not matter. This remains a lot easier said than done without Reese’s imposing presence, though, especially with the Lynx and Mercury making up two of their next three games.
- Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley made a case for multiple teams to hold onto their current trade chip, and his case for the Chicago Bulls is one we’ve discussed multiple times. Arturas Karnisovas would be silly to give up any assets in a LaVine deal. While we all recognize that his win-loss record doesn’t turn heads, we should also recognize that he is one of the league’s most efficient bucket-getters when healthy. LaVine has averaged 24.9 points on 47.7 percent shooting from the field and 38.7 percent from long range over the past five seasons. His combination of downhill explosiveness, off-ball athleticism, and lethal long-range shooting should fit in a winning environment. I understand the money is a lot, but is it so much the Bulls should incentivize someone to take him off their hands? Especially as they now embark on a rebuild of sorts, they have the ability to wait things out.
- Now, I understand the argument that LaVine could interfere with the Bulls’ current rebuilding plans. This is why I have waffled about what to do with him at times. However, giving up assets should be a non-starter for an organization that is trying to start fresh. A good franchise would find the balance between allowing someone like LaVine to recuperate his value while prioritizing player development. So, yeah, here is another opportunity for Arturas Karnisovas and Co. to change the narrative!
- The Chicago Bulls need to remain in the business of asset accumulation, which means keeping an eye out for any intriguing youngsters who may hit the trade market. One name that recently popped up on The Hoop Collective podcast was Portland Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams. Any interest?
“I wouldn’t also say with Donovan Clingan getting drafted there and Deandre Ayton on the roster, and I don’t think Deadre Ayton is very tradeable. A guy to watch who is very tradeable is the Time Lord … Robert Williams,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said.
- Williams has been plagued by injury trouble throughout his career, which is surely part of the reason why the Boston Celtics were willing to move on from him in the Jrue Holiday trade. He only played six games last season due to knee surgery, and the most games he’s ever played over his six-season-long career is 61. Still, the big man is only 26 years old and has performed like one of the best defensive centers in the league when healthy. He can switch on almost anyone and still protect the rim at an elite level despite his six-foot-nine frame. During his healthiest season in 2021-22, Williams made the All-Defensive Second Team and even finished Top-7 in DPOY voting. For a Bulls team that has desperately needed a rim protector, is embarking on a youth movement, and is seemingly interested in trading Nikola Vucevic, he is someone I would love to get into the building.
- Now, I say all of that with absolutely zero idea of how the team could pull off a trade. Good thing that’s not my job! The Portland Trail Blazers would likely want to wait to see if Williams can play healthy this season and work up a market with contending teams. He’s also owed only $12.4 million this season and $13.2 million next season. Again, for someone with his defensive upside and around-the-rim efficiency, that is a steal of a deal! I wonder if Chicago could incentivize Portland at all by dangling their lottery-protected first-round pick. This could continue to hinder the Trail Blazers until 2028 (when it turns into a second-rounder), so getting it back might be of interest.
- HoopsHype put out a list of the executives who have drafted the most stars. Jerry Krause made the cut with ten All-NBA selections over his 19 drafts. Of course, Scottie Pippen was easily his best draft pick. Nevertheless, the best part of Krause’s resume shows up in either the trade market or free agency.
- It feels like every Chicago team has some high-upside young talent right now.
- Caleb Williams should have been giving out bear hugs to the defense last night.