Who should start
The feeling here is that Paul Zipser is Chicago’s best option to start at small forward. His combination of size and shooting makes him the best candidate to play with the projected starting group.
With Zipser at the 3, the starting unit would look like:
PG: Dunn
SG: Wade
SF: Zipser
PF: Mirotic
C: Lopez
Starting Zipser and Mirotic as the forwards will help Chicago’s guards to get to the rim and kick out to them on the perimeter. Fred Hoiberg can utilize both forwards in pick-and-pops that will help simplify things for Dunn as he takes the reigns of the offense.
The knock against starting Zipser is that it leaves the Bulls vulnerable defensively, but it’s not as if the other options are that much stronger on that end. Valentine may struggle guarding bigger players, as will Holiday. (Not to mention that LaVine–who will start when healthy–leaves a lot to be desired on that end as well.)
This season will be about development and, even if he isn’t the flashiest of the Bulls young players, Zipser has potential that Chicago should explore. Giving him a chance to start and develop would be a smart investment.
As for Valentine and Holiday, Chicago should bring them off the bench–Holiday as a backup 2 and Valentine as a backup 2/3. With Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo no longer with the team, there will be plenty of backcourt minutes to fill.
Next: Reviewing the Jimmy Butler trade from several angles
The Bulls may not be very good next season, so the least they can do is give the fans what they want. And the fans want more Zipser.