Don’t expect the Bulls to make much of an effort to re-sign Nikola Mirotic in free agency this summer, K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune writes in his latest mailbag. As Johnson observes, the Bulls can afford to be flexible with their approach to Mirotic, since he’s a restricted free agent — he may sign an offer sheet that they determine fits into their salary structure, in which case they could bring him back. However, Johnson doesn’t think Chicago will “proactively” try to lock up Mirotic to a new deal.
Within that same mailbag, Johnson also suggests that there’s a decent chance Chicago will listen to inquires on Jimmy Butler again this summer. Having acquired Cameron Payne and Joffrey Lauvergne at last month’s trade deadline, the Bulls want to continue accumulating “players they view as young assets,” and any package for Butler would likely include a few of those pieces.
Here’s more on the Bulls and a couple of their Central Division rivals:
- Dwyane Wade is a future Hall-of-Famer, but he’s entering the “awkward years” of his career and it’s not clear what’s in store for him in 2017/18 and beyond, says Steve Aschburner of NBA.com. Aschburner explores the potential next step for Wade, whether that means staying with the Bulls, returning to the Heat, or joining a new team this summer.
- In LeBron James‘ view, the idea of resting healthy players didn’t become a real issue for the NBA until after he sat out a game or two for the Cavaliers. The reigning Finals MVP also suggested to reporters on Tuesday that he disagreed with the notion that team owners should be involved in that decision, as commissioner Adam Silver has requested. Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com has the details and the quotes from James.
- Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie has no hard feelings toward the Pistons, for whom he played 46 games over two seasons before being traded last summer. Still, he admits that he was happy to beat them on Tuesday night with his new team, as Aaron McMann of MLive.com writes. “If your first job fired you, you come back and say, ‘What’s up fam, I’m with the New York Times now,'” Dinwiddie said to a reporter following Brooklyn’s win. “I love everybody in that organization. It’s just great to beat them.”
resting healthy players is definitely becoming a big problem. if I paid hundreds of dollars to see my team their best players better be out there. play less minutes but it’s not fair to the sponsors, networks and most of all… the fans
Of course LeBaby thinks it is all about him. Sad.
Is it not? It wasn’t a big deal when the Warriors did (still made news though), but the league and fans lost their minds when the Cavs did it.
It was a big deal when San Antonio rested almost the entire starting five last year in a game. So no, it’s not about LeBron.
^^
True, and I remember that being a big deal, but as far as I remember (and I’m probably wrong), but the league didn’t send out a memo addressing the issue when the Spurs did it.
the league didnt send out the memo because the cavs did it exclusively. they sent out the memo because for two primetime saturdays in a row the best teams didnt have their best players out.
its also a case for the cavs because they couldve rested against the lakers that next day and played the primetime game. so no its not about lebron, its about it happening more and more and on a big stage like primetime.
Are Cam Payne and Lauvergne considered “young assets” to the other 29 teams in the league? In my estimation that seems doubtful, but who am I to question? I’m just the newly un-paying customer.
I agree.. Def not assets to most
I mean not every player is Michael Jordan or pre-ACL injury Derrick Rose. What are you expecting every player on the Bulls to be averaging double-doubles? There is something great called role players…hard to win a championship without them.
Your attempted troll job is greatly lacking in substance
It’s not a troll job. Cam Payne is 22 and still on his rookie contract. Lauvergne is 25 and is on his first contract in the NBA. I don’t see how you can’t consider them young assets at this point. At the very least, the Thunder considered them young assets since they Payne was drafted by them and Lauvergne was acquired via trade by them. Again, were you expecting them to instantly come into Chicago and revitalize the team by averaging double digit points and a good amount of assists/rebounds? Did you expect Cam Payne to be the second coming of Derrick Rose, or Lauvergne to flash shades of Toni Kukoc? But I’m sure the person who just stopped paying to watch Bulls games on TV knows a lot more than the guys who are actually paid to make those types of judgments and decisions.
So much wrong with what you said but I’ll tackle two main issues. 1. Paxson and Foreman have done MORE than their fair share wrong over the years and deserve to have every move scrutinized. Pax has won a single ECF game during his 16 year tenure and there’s little reason to think that will change over the next few years. Yes the East has been dominated by LeBron, but there have been plenty of other teams who have beat the Cavs or at least contended against him. One ECF win in 16 years is pathetic, we should all enjoy that type of job security.
2. Asking them to come in and make a difference? No I wasn’t. Showing competence and flashing why you were a lottery pick? Yes, that would be nice. Payne has done nothing in his career on either team to this point to show that he belongs on an NBA roster and that is indisputable. Just because he’s young and under control doesn’t make him an asset, though it certainly helps. His incredibly negative value he brings to the court wash those positives out undoubtedly. And yes PLEASE continue to defend Lauvergne, you’re simply making my point stronger. I didn’t realize that GarPax were hiring people to defend them on NBA Trade Rumors…. open your eyes dude.
Damn, I just let the troll win.