Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Step-by-Step: A Chicago Bulls tanking guide

By Daniel Coughlin

Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) holds onto the basket post after being fouled during the second half at Amway Center. The Bulls won 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) holds onto the basket post after being fouled during the second half at Amway Center. The Bulls won 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Robin Lopez, C, Chicago Bulls
Nov 17, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) reacts during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Roll out, Robin Lopez

I’ve harped on Lopez being an excellent rim guy on both ends of the floor all season. He’s young, healthier and considerably cheaper than a guy like Noah. He can play strong rim defense, he can pass, he can play great back-to-the-basket offense, and he can even flash a little mid-range if the defense is slacking too far off.

Lopez, of course, also has extreme limitations. He is not a perimeter defender in any form. He can’t go outside to help or switch. If you need a center who will go under or sag off anytime he’s near a screen or pick of some sort, altering shots, this is your guy. He’ll bang all night against the biggest, strongest, and best in the league.

He’s been made to pay for his limitations against players like LaMarcus Aldridge, a gifted big who can knock down shots from the mid-range and further out with impressive accuracy. But he’s also been a fierce offensive rebounded and a body to avoid for opposing perimeter players attacking the rim.

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For a contract, he’s extremely moveable. He has several years left at below market price. A player like Lopez could bring back a solid package of late first round picks and maybe a decent bench player or something similar with multiple seconds. He could make a great backup for a contender or he could strengthen the front line of a lot of teams that are a year or two away from making a big impact or pushing for the playoffs in a serious way.

This isn’t a crazy group of assets being flipped. We’re talking veteran role players that have value to teams more committed to improvement than chasing a draft pick or rebuild. Keep in mind that in this scenario, we’re talking about the Bulls tanking. You mover Taj for seconds and maybe a mid-tier prospect. You move Rondo by any means necessary. Now, you move RoLo for some combination of a late first, multiple seconds, and mid-tier prospects.

It’s a pretty good start without touch any fundamental, core pieces that would be part of the long-term future.

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