Do the Chicago Bulls actually have a plan?
Will this off-season provide any evidence that the rebuild will be over soon? Do John Paxson and Gar Forman have a plan or will the rebuilding continue for years to come?
For some, the Chicago Bulls represent a storied history as the 6 time World Champions of the 1990’s. Michael Jordan, the (arguably) greatest player ever, made the Bulls red, black and white colors famous. For others, the Bulls are a bumbling franchise, stumbling over the past few years as they struggled to pick a direction for the future. After Derrick Rose‘s devastating knee injuries derailed a promising future, the Bulls find themselves in the middle of yet another rebuilding process. The question now is, how long will this rebuild take?
The Bulls pick 7th and 22nd in this year’s NBA Draft and look to add players who can contribute immediately. With at least one of the picks, expect the Bulls to add an athletic wing to the roster. The Bulls believe they have their franchise centerpiece in Lauri Markkanen, so this draft is more about adding key building blocks versus searching for a player to build around.
There are question marks surrounding Zach LaVine’s ball dominance and defensive abilities as well as Kris Dunn‘s shooting skills. Should the Bulls subscribe to the “fill needs” theory, then adding an athletic 3 and D wing should help in Fred Hoiberg‘s system. Michael Porter Jr. and Mikal Bridges are two names that have been linked to the Bulls with the 7th pick. Personally, I believe that the Bulls should opt for the best player available theory. Mo Bamba reminds me a lot of Clint Capela of Houston, but with potential to develop a jump shot. Bamba could anchor the back end of the defense and allow Markkanen space on offense. Trae Young could add some excitement to the offense as well, providing another backcourt playmaker.
Can the Bulls add a free agent that can help them contend for the playoffs in 2018-19? Should they wait for next summer when more attainable free agents are available?
The Bulls are one of few teams this off-season with cap space to pursue free agents. Pursuing big name free agents like LeBron James or Paul George is unlikely. However, the Bulls could be players for lower-tier free agents like Will Barton, Jabari Parker or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Adding any of these players would presumably push the Bulls into playoff contention next season. Another option, though risky, for the Bulls would be to hold off on any major spending until 2019 when Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard could be available. I’m not a huge fan of storing cap space for hypothetical solutions. Waiting to spend free agent money is not the optimal way of doing business, as the Bulls have often been rejected by big time free agents. Would the Bulls and Butler reunite? Could he bring another star with him? These are unlikely storylines but it’s fun to speculate isn’t it?
It appears that John Paxson and Gar Forman are committed to Fred Hoiberg. The real question still exists, is Hoiberg the answer? Can he lead the Bulls to playoff series wins in the near future? Hoiberg’s job is clearly safe for now, as is Paxson and Forman’s. We can debate the merits for the supposed security, but really, the Bulls need to find talent on the court. Talent acquisition is up to GarPax, regardless of our faith in them. It remains to be seen if the plan the Bulls have in place will lead them to contention any time soon. When the Bulls traded away Butler before last season, they picked a plan for the future. Bulls fans have been patient regarding the rebuilding process; this off-season will go a long way in showing whether GarPax can deliver on that plan.