New Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has indicated that he intends to prioritize talent over fulfilling any specific roster needs as he approaches the 2020 NBA draft, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
“I don’t think you address needs at four,” Karnisovas said in a Zoom call after the draft lottery Thursday. “You get the best talent. That’s what we’re going to be looking for with the highest upside player.”
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago notes that the Bulls’ biggest needs appear to be finding a true point guard (Coby White, the No. 7 pick in the 2019 draft, is more of a scoring guard), a long-term solution at the wing, and even possibly adding frontcourt depth, despite the intriguing ceilings of recent big man lottery selections Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.
There’s more out of the NBA’s Central Division:
- Free agent Pacers wing Justin Holiday has hired a new agent, Bernie Lee, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Lee also represents Heat swingman (and Holiday’s former Bulls teammate) Jimmy Butler. Holiday signed a one-year, $4.8MM contract with Indiana last summer.
- Bulls president Arturas Karnisovas has indicated that September’s forthcoming group workouts for the eight teams (including Chicago) that missed the Orlando 2019/20 season restart will not expedite the team’s search for a new coach, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago tweets. The team fired coach Jim Boylen last week after one-and-a-half lackluster seasons at the helm. Sam Smith of Bulls.com notes that Nuggets assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. and Sixers assistant coach Ime Udoka appear to number among the top candidates for the position.
- Though the Cavaliers may miss out on top prospects LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman with the No. 5 pick in the 2020 draft, team general manager Koby Altman thinks the team will have plenty of intriguing options left, per Kelsey Russo of The Athletic. “We are confident that this draft position will allow us to acquire talent that will complement our core mix of young players and established veterans,” Altman said in a statement last night. Russo takes a look at five key prospects who may still be available for Cleveland, including Dayton forward Obi Toppin, Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Deni Avdija, and Auburn wing Isaac Okoro.
According to reporters,
3 teams really like #2 pick
1. Bulls – big market
2. Knicks – big market
3. Pelicans – partner with Zion
The Warriors need to get another veteran PG if they trade the #2 pick. Curry won’t play anything close to 82 games, as they will use even more load management for him than Kawhi has had the last two seasons.
If the Warriors trade down to the middle of the first round, they’ll still have plenty of options to choose from as a backup to Curry
According to this article Bulls needs are a true point guard (not Coby) and a long term solution on the wing.
I suggest they draft LaMelo Ball or James Wiseman if either is available. Then make a trade.
Lonzo Ball is a true PG with his size he’s a good defender and has proven to be a good passer. He just needs to find consistency with his jump shot.
Brandon Ingram is an ideal SF for the long term who continues to get better ever single year.
Zach LaVine and Lauri Markeneen for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart.
Bulls have backcourt pieces of Lonzo Ball, Coby White, Josh Hart and hopefully LaMelo Ball.
In the forward positions they have Brandon Ingram, Otto Porter, Thad Young and Chandler Hutchinson. Then at centre you have Wendell Carter, Daniel Gafford and Luke Kornet.
Bulls have a long term 1-2-3 plus free agency money (Otto porters expiring deal) to spend. Plus you have the potential of White Hart and Carter to unlock.
There’s no reason to assume Ball or Wiseman will be available at #4. You don’t want your plan A ruined so soon.
I hope nobody drafts Toppin intending him to play the 3. 4/5 best.
If Porter plays to his ability, Chicago will call him their 3!
Porter is in his option year (his option, so he will exercise it). Bulls need Plan B at the 3. I suspect Deni Avdija might be a fit for them, and he will be available at 4. They need some players who don’t need the ball, yet are still a scoring threat (unlike either Ball).
Your plan doesn’t make the Bulls better! If they keep what they have, add a point guard (either with the 4th pick or use the pick to move to a spot for a pg and get an asset like a serviceable sf with the pick swap), and use the 44th pick to get another pg or sf to bring along; then they’ll be fine.
Bulls are idiots if they pass on Halliburton. He is the best PG in this draft. He is a big PG who plays both ways. He is big IQ player. This guy starting on Bulls team. Will get them in playoffs. No other player at #4 will be able to do that.
Its between haliburton and deni.bulls need playmaker and defender.both deni and haliburton are good playmaker and defender.hope one of them will be at 4th place.im worried with gsw.bcoz they will not take the best available.im worried if gsw pass on lamelo and booommm, bulls draft him. I dont want lamelo
I agree with your points – with the caveat that they cannot add a no-score passer/defender. They already have several of those sitting on the bench.
I could see the Bulls doing a couple of things. First being No. 4 and WCJ to GSW for No. 2 and taking Wiseman, or keeping No. 4 to take Obbi or Deni Avdija and then working a deal w NYK or DET w WCJ going to either the Knicks or Pistons for 6 or 7 in order to draft Halliburton. Don’t think they’d trade LaVine or White or Markkanen.
According to reports
These are current offers – likely rumors
1. Cavs offer small forward Cedi Osman and 5th pick for 2nd pick
2. Pistons offer 3-point specialist Luke Kennard in a package including their own No. 7 pick
3. Chicago and New York could all trade up for Ball by offering a package including this year’s pick and a protected pick next year
Knicks would offer more to move up.
Bulls have the 4th pick not the 2nd.
I’d swap the 4th for the 5th with the Cavs if they included swapping Osman for Satoransky.
Bulls would still likely get to choose from their top two options Haliburton or Avdija. Plus Osman on a decently cheap deal would be a good back up on the wing which is an area they don’t have a huge amount of depth.
1. Haliburton. White
2. LaVine. Arcidacono
3. Porter. Osman. Hutchinson
4. Markeneen. Young
5. Carter. Gafford. Kornet
Sounds decent but I’d still look at the Pelicans and see if I could get Brandon Ingram
Maybe Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and the 13th pick for Zach LaVine, Thad Young and the 4th pick?
Pelicans possibly don’t rate Lonzo or want to pay him so would be a great return. They get LaVine to pair with Zion. Thad Young gives you a 3 and D PF and then the 4th pick which could be Wiseman, Haliburton, Anthony, Toppin or whatever
1. Ball. White
2. Hart. Satoransky
3. Ingram. Chandler
4. Markeneen. Porter
5. Carter Jr. Gafford. Kornet
Plus you have the 13th pick to upgrade at SG
I mean In terms of rebuilding this team would be really young, have loads of potential and be exciting to watch.
What makes you think NOP don’t rate or wanna pay Zo? Have you got any sources for that? They traded a megastar for BI & him, that means they rate them a lot, & the play of both of them this season has shown they were right.
Your first lineup has serious injury/depth issues, particularly at 2&3. Second lineup might be fun but relies on the 5 for all defense, and has none if WCJ and Gafford go down.
There is still a chance that Wolves draft Ball.
Reason:
For now, Wolves have only one playmaker – DLo. They need Ball.
MIN should pick best player, that is Wiseman. But no use having KAT so they should go for the next one, Lamelo. He is much better than Edwards & would be great next to D’Lo. Bot big tall guards that can play the 1-2 guard, D’Lo is already an excellent shooter.
Now that would be a very exciting big 3 for MIN!
D’Lo wants to control the ball. Ball’s value is as a ball-controller while Edwards is more versatile, a better fit.
Minny is not passing on Edwards. Bigger question is who they take at #17. Personally I think they can give this up for Love. Love is a great fit with KAT. And the solid vet that lead this young team. Best bet is a PF. There will be a few here. Carey, Stewart, Oturu. Unless a player drops. They can still get a nice player here.
Your plan doesn’t make the Bulls better! If they keep what they have, add a point guard (either with the 4th pick or use the pick to move to a spot for a pg and get an asset like a serviceable sf with the pick swap), and use the 44th pick to get another pg or sf to bring along; then they’ll be fine.