With Paul Millsap agreeing to join the Nets, the Bulls don’t have a lot of attractive free agent options to add to their frontcourt depth, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago notes. Millsap strongly considered the Bulls but they now have to shift gears. They could bid for restricted free agent Jarred Vanderbilt, take a flier on D.J. Wilson or add an international player to fortify the power forward spot. They could also sign small forward James Ennis and use him in smaller lineups, Johnson adds. Otherwise, they may have to pursue a trade.
We have more from the Central Division:
- The Bulls improved their roster with their busy offseason but it’s fair to wonder whether all of those changes made sense as a whole, Zach Harper of The Athletic opines. While they have upgraded in the backcourt and the wing spots with the additions of Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, their frontcourt options have thinned.
- Pursuing a trade for Ben Simmons doesn’t make sense for the Pistons, James Edwards of The Athletic contends. In a deal with the Sixers, Detroit would likely have to part with Jerami Grant and at least one of their top young players as well as draft picks, and adding Simmons’ contract would limit their flexibility to make other moves. It also wouldn’t help their issues regarding 3-point shooting, Edwards adds.
- Moses Ehambe is grateful he got the opportunity to be an assistant with the Pacers, though he was not retained in the aftermath of Nate Bjorkgren’s departure, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles writes. “This is where you want to be,” Ehambe said in the comprehensive interview. “Now it’s about staying.”
Trading for Simmons doesn’t make sense for Pistons
Trading for Simmons doesn’t make sense for 76ers
Trading for Simmons doesn’t make sense for Simmons, either
Trading for Simmons doesn’t make sense for the Sixers because they already have him, duh. But he has become a canker for the team in his demand to be traded. The Rockets managed to get four unprotected first round picks and four swaps (three of which remain from Brooklyn plus another one from Miami in the Oladipo trade) when they sent Harden to the Nets, plus they were also able to add Kevin Porter for literally nothing thanks to that trade.
People act like Houston got almost nothing for Harden, but it’s still way more than Philly is going to get if they ever rid themselves of Ben Simmons.
Off the top of my head the only other volume stretch 5 besides Embiid is KAT. Mayne Olynyk and Joker but Jokers skill have too much overlap with Simmons.
The reason Philly with Simmons is guaranteed a 3 seed in the East is because they are the perfect match.
Reporters are saying
Simmons is not built for 76ers.
According to Vegas odds for Simmons sweepstakes
Shanghai Sharks have much better odds to acquire Simmons than Knicks, Nets and Hawks.
Embiid is NOT a stretch 5. He’s been better than KAT so far but KAT is a far better basketball fit than Embiid.
It’s like Jason Lancaster and Curtis Rowe back at it! Where are those rascals anyway.
Man Olynyk mentioned in the same sentence as KAT, Embiid, and Joker?? Is this his career highlight?
I agree. I thought Ben Simmons with the Sixers, with Embiid, was a very good match. Embiid loves to score and is backed up by other scorers Tobias Harris and Seth Curry while Simmons is a terrific passer and defender.
But after Simmons couldn’t make a free throw in the playoffs, he took so much heat from the media & rumors he was on the trading block he got mad feeling disrespected. Bad job by the Philly front office & here we are.
@Beach
you make it seem like Simmons missing free throws was an outlier rather than the norm for him. it’s his fault he’s getting lambasted by everyone. he’s been this way since he came into the league.
Ben’s FT shooting historically bad in the playoffs is a clear outlier, I mean he is terrible at 61% in the post season (prior to this year)… but having said that there are stars shooting worst than that, i.e. Luka did hit just 50% in otherwise a playoff series that Jordan could only have dreamed of having!
So yes Ben is a bad FT shooter, but he ain’t that bad, 34% is an outlier & doesn’t represent reality in here!
Bigs in the city of big shoulders are: Vooch, Tony Bradley, a skinny Montenegrin 21, and Pat Williams 20, soso as a 3 and weak at the 4. Maybe Derozan will be their 4.
Didn’t they just trade a PF, a pretty good one if you ask me, Markkanen would look pretty good in this CHI team… oh well they will end up with Ennis & tell the fans it is an upgrade… & many will even believe that, right? SMH!
No one asked you. Also, probably they will give Ennis a look in preseason and decide he is redundant. At this point, they are waiting to see if anyone releases a passable big who might fit as a 10 to 15 min per game fill in.
Rudeness & bad manners seem to be typical from some dudes here, anyway I will have to forgive your appalling human traits as you are a CHI fan, probably that explains your behavior, right?
BTW I do like Lauri, if you don’t that is up to you, I don’t need or require your approval, as my opinion is just as valid & true as anyone else is, right?
You have been touting Lauri for a while with little factual backup. If proven true I will gladly admit it it, but I doubt that will happen. My guess is you will keep blaming the coaches for Markannen’s obvious deficiencies. He was given more than a fair chance in Chicago and failed to step up.
The Bulls could try for Jarred Vanderbilt and/or Harry Giles. Ennis is a good player for any team’s roster. Just that the Bulls could use someone taller than Ennis. Bismack Biyombo would make a good back up for Vucevic but would be a duplication of Tony Bradley.
DeRozan might get some time at the 4, which in certain matchups might give them a speed advantage as he still has moves in the mid-range court and is a good passer which is useful when you have Lavine and Vucevic, who showed some pick n roll compatibility last season.
I trust Donovan to find a way to get the most out of this roster, but they definitely need another big. Perhaps they can add one during the season.
Ennis and Cousins 2 guys I would target if I’m bulls
Bulls should of went after M Chriss. Blazers moved first.
Milsap woulda been a welcomed addition to Chicago, but it woulda led to Pat Williams coming off the bench. I think in today’s NBA, Pat will be an ideal 4 that can also guard 3’s and some 2’s. His defensive presence is key in an otherwise offensive minded starting 5. So maybe not getting Milsap will end up being a blessing for the Bulls.
The bulls executives are a joke. Top 10 worst in the league
??????????
Building a team around Lonzo and Lavine is hilarious to me
You must haven’t seen last year then for Lavine lmao
I think they address this after November 1, when players are eligible to be traded after signing or getting dealt this past offseason. I think we see more Williams at the 4 and maybe they go overseas and sign a 4. This team needs a 4 backup. DJ or Millsap would have been perfect but we need a stretch 4. Curious to see who they go after to address this.
Probably easier to find than wings or point guards, so they are closer than they were.