We’re still a long way from July, the second round of the playoffs are just underway, and we’re still hearing arguments over who will be named NBA MVP. Still, some teams are already done for the year and the front offices are already scheming for the summer and beyond. What do the Chicago Bulls have in mind and could Chris Paul be an option?
Alright, so in the case of the Bulls, it’s more like we’re praying that Gar Forman and Jim, John or any other Paxson is aware that they can actively start planning for next season right now.
Further, the Los Angeles Clippers just got eliminated from the playoffs, losing their first-round series against the Utah Jazz in seven games, the last being played on the Clippers home floor.
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Interesting fact about Chicago’s roster: they have most of their pieces returning next season.
Interesting fact about Chicago’s roster: they could use an upgrade at no less than three of their five starting spots for next year.
The Clippers exit is noteworthy because it signaled another year older, another year together, and another year of coming up frustratingly short of not just the NBA Finals, but also the Western Conference Finals. You have to wonder if they’re still believers that they can make it work.
There are no less than three players who will have to opportunity to move on to greener, or at least less depressing pastures this summer. And the all-timer Paul Pierce is retiring.
I just have to interject that it would be funny if the Clippers stole DeAndre Jordan away from the Dallas Mavericks last summer, only to completely abandon him this summer.
Schadenfreude aside, the impending free agency of Chris Paul is of particular intrigue. If I had to guess, his No. 1 destination would be to stay in Los Angeles, cashing max salary checks for the next five years. If he were to leave, it’s likely that he would want to join a contender. Paul is one of the very best to ever play the point guard position, but he’s never even sniffed the Finals. He’s at least beyond the midpoint of his career and the ability to be a contributor on a contender has to be a major factor in his decision this summer. Enter the San Antonio Spurs.
If he wants to get paid, but is okay with not being filthy rich, he might have an easier road to the conference finals – if he switches conferences.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have Kyrie Irving and Deron Williams. The Toronto Raptors have Kyle Lowry. The Boston Celtics have Isaiah Thomas, Terry Rozier, and Marcus Smart. The Atlanta Hawks have committed to Dennis Schroder. The Washington Wizards have John Wall. The Bulls have Cameron Payne.
If I had to guess, I’d assume that Dwyane Wade is going to exercise his player option. And I’d assume that Jimmy Butler is absolutely not going to be traded for any reason. Robin Lopez and Cristiano Felicio are a good combination if Felicio can take another step forward next season and he’s already very good at rolling to the rim for lobs. That matters, maybe, because Paul is a lob maestro.
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Chicago has plenty of cap room, depending on some decisions and what other self-sabotaging moves the Bulls godhead decides to let their family and friends make for them.
The best case for Paul to Chicago is a fruit. No, not Dwyane, but rather a fruit that Dwyane and Chris enjoyed riding together once upon a time. Yes, the mighty, yellow banana in boat form. And that’s really the best logic I can offer.
The Bulls can pay Paul a respectable amount. They already have Wade and Butler. They’re perceived to be in the weaker conference. It’s likely that the team wouldn’t even blink an eye at given Paul $20 million per year into his age 35 season – they’re already doing that with Wade.
And isn’t this the justification they had for bringing in the oft-injured, heavily traveled, step slower version of Wade in the first place. He was supposed to help them lure other big name free agents. There probably won’t be a bigger test of that philosophy than Paul. He’s probably beyond his prime, stands to make a lot of money and could legitimately improve the Bulls in significant ways.
Now, will it actually happen? We’ll find out in July.