Re-signing restricted free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu to a three-year, $21MM contract was a shrewd business decision by the Bulls, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
The Bulls like Dosunmu’s aggression, competitiveness and work ethic, according to Johnson, and bringing him back at $7MM per year could be valuable if Chicago decides to make moves in the future, as mid-sized deals can come in handy when negotiating trades. That isn’t to imply the team wants to deal away a player it is retaining — it’s just a reality of the business.
With Zach LaVine, Coby White, Alex Caruso, Jevon Carter, Dosunmu, Dalen Terry and the injured Lonzo Ball already in the backcourt, Johnson believes Carlik Jones will likely be released. Jones’ deal is currently non-guaranteed, but becomes partially guaranteed for $250K if he makes the Bulls’ opening night roster. The team’s next free agent addition will “almost certainly” be a frontcourt player, Johnson adds.
Here’s more from the Central:
- He may not be as well-known as his younger brother, but Cavaliers big man Isaiah Mobley, who is on a two-way deal with Cleveland, made his mark during Las Vegas Summer League, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link). Mobley hit an overtime game-winner in the team’s fifth game against Brooklyn, with the Cavs going on to finish 6-0 and leaving with a championship. He averaged 17.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.5 BPG and 1.0 SPG on 49.3% from the field in 28.3 MPG in Vegas. Mobley is the older brother of Evan Mobley, who finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting this past season.
- James L. Edwards of The Athletic recently took a stab at projecting the Pistons‘ depth chart entering 2023/24, with a possible 10-man rotation of starters Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren, alongside reserves Monte Morris, Alec Burks, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Livers and Marvin Bagley III. Notably, that group does not include James Wiseman, with Edwards writing that Bagley is the superior screener and roller and better at creating his own shot. It also doesn’t include Killian Hayes or Joe Harris. That said, with the obvious caveat that it’s only July, I agree with Edwards.
- In another article for The Athletic, Edwards evaluates trade proposals from readers. One fake trade was a complex four-team deal where the Pistons receive Tobias Harris; the Clippers receive James Harden and a 2029 first-round pick (from Philly); the Sixers receive Bogdanovic, Norman Powell, Marcus Morris, Danilo Gallinari and 2028 and ’29 first-rounders (from the Clips); and the Wizards receive Bagley and a 2024 second-rounder (from L.A.). Edwards thinks the Sixers would decline that proposal, and likely the Wizards too, though the latter might be more interested if another second-round pick or two were added.
Ausar Thompson is going to be a stud. I really like his makeup, body and athleticism.
Water is wet.
He wears makeup? They’re just summer league games. What a diva.
He doesn’t wear makeup. Whenever you say you admire someone’s makeup you are saying you like who he is. The man’s character or constitution.
Sixers plan is obvious they plan to get 2 max slots for next year free agency. So they wont take on players with additional years.
I like Mobley. I think he can be a great back up big that can give you 15-20 minutes a game
I’d say 20-25 maybe more. He has a lot of skills and a high basketball IQ. He’ll never have his brother’s agility but he has a lot more muscle .
I think people underestimate Wiseman. But Detroit does have some nice bigs.
Bogdan plays for the Hawks and Bojan plays for the Pistons. Both sections need an edit.
KC Johnson is a paid mouthpiece for the Bulls organization. If he says something is ‘shrewd’ you can bet that word was chosen by the Bulls pr department.
Bulls really need to move off DeRozan.
He’s soon to be 34, on an expiring 29mil deal.
Last year with good health the trio of LaVine, DeRozan and Vuve weren’t good enough and that’s not suddenly going to change this season.
You haven’t had any big FA signings, you were really able to add anything in the draft and you just seem to have no direction.
DeRozan would ideally like to end up in California, particularly LA. So I’d start by offering the lakers this deal once trade eligible but DeRozan for Dlo and someone like Prince as cap filler.
At the same time the clippers don’t have much to offer so I’d approach the Kings, DeRozan for Barnes and Mitchell. And approach the Warriors, DeRozan and Caruso for CP3 and Kuminga.
Then trying to work in your own best interest,
DeRozan, Drummond and a pair of seconds for Rozier and Bridges
Then lastly DeRozan and Lonzo (I know he’s out) for Ben Simmons and Royce ONeale
Just need to move him and give yourself a fresh start.
Lakers would give you a point guard to pair with LaVine although doesn’t really fit for them, doubt they say yes.
Kings say no cause they don’t want to change things and fair enough.
Warriors say so cause they value what CP3 can bring and see improvement in Kuminga.
All of which leads you to the deals you actually want to make.
Love the Hornets idea, they need a veteran like DeMare for his leadership and experience, he’d fit well next to LaMelo and Brandon Miller. Drummond also gives them a veteran centre to help develop young Williams and Richards.
They clear Roziers lengthy contract and don’t have to deal with Bridges and a possible extension. However Bulls could do with Rozier as their point guard with Lonzo out. He’d fit well next to LaVine cause he can play both on and off the ball. He’s also not terrible on defence. Then Bridges would be a huge bonus and would fit well next to Patrick Williams. Him and LaVine in transition would be fun to see.
Then lastly the Nets. DeRozan would be great helping be a veteran leader for young Bridges and that group. He’s also take a bunch of the scoring load off those guys and could be a real mentor for Cam Thomas. Lonzo won’t play again likely so you just have to bite bullet with that contract but you clear Ben Simmons who also has questions over if he will play or not. For the Bulls, Ben would be great with LaVine and Vuce. 1 his defence is awesome and makes up for Zach terrible D. 2 Vuce is a centre that doesn’t clog the paint and that allows Ben to not be as big of a liability in the half court. They need that playmaker and facilitator to run that offence and Ben would be a great fit. In addition you’d have Royce as a nice 3 and 3 role player too and get out of Lonzos deal
No ……….
DeM DeR >>>> to NYK
Yeah but who for, they’d ask for RJ Barrett and even still he’s not a great with with LaVine. You wouldn’t give up Randle so not that either. Personally I wouldn’t ask for IQ cause I don’t see paying him and putting him with LaVine as a good idea either.
My personal favourite would be Charlotte.
DeRozan with MJ, teaching Ball and Miller how to play the right way. Drummond also going over and helping develop Williams and Richards. LaMelo Miller Hayward provide enough spacing for DeRozans mid range game to thrive. They need that all star calibre experience.
As for the Bulls I like Scary Terry paired with LaVine. He can play on or off the ball. He’s decent defensively and known to step up in the big games. He can shoot, has a good handle and offers some playmaking too. Then Bridges also would be a huge positive gain. He plays both ends of the floor, can shot, can defence, loves to get out in transition and that combination with LaVine on the break would be crazy. Would slide in right next to Patrick Williams who’s a good 3 and D, 5th option among the starters. The defence on this team would be better and I think the offence would be too. You might lack abit in depth but still have the likes of Carter, White and Caruso. Definitely would need to add a couple back up bigs