Chicago Bulls fans are likely growing anxious with the NBA preseason two weeks away. After a solid offseason, what else can be done ahead of the 2019 season?
We are fast approaching the start to another NBA season and the Chicago Bulls are looking to turn the franchise’s recent fortunes around. They have done well so far in their latest rebuild and have the looks of a team that could make some noise in 2019.
How much better they will be compared to 2018 remains to be seen, but there are a few moves they can still make.
They have already had a strong free agency. Guard Tomas Satoransky is coming off a very promising FIBA World Cup tournament for the Czech Republic. Forward Thaddeus Young was a Team USA member for much of the summer. And Luke Kornet has people buzzing about his potential despite his lack of name recognition.
The NBA Draft, while it didn’t fall the way they initially wanted, broke their way and gifted them guard Coby White without them having to make any moves. Then they landed their hustle and energy big in the second round in Daniel Gafford.
And then there’s Jim Boylen.
So what could possibly be left to figure out ahead of the October 23 opener?
Find Kris Dunn a New Home
The writing has been on the wall here for quite some time. Adding Satoransky and selecting White put that writing in neon lights: Kris Dunn is not long for the Chicago Bulls. Yet two weeks from the preseason and there is no talk of any potential move on the horizon for the Bulls beleaguered point guard.
It is not a problem now and depth is always valuable. But this has the makings of a powder keg situation. Dunn has been the consummate pro in the face of public criticism from the front office. How long does that last if he finds himself getting scraps behind Satoransky, White, and possibly even Ryan Arcidiacono?
It’s best to get out in front of any turmoil and find a new team for Dunn. The issue is getting value for a player at an oversaturated position that everyone knows you don’t want.
Perhaps they agree to take a second-rounder and a bench shooter but, again, finding a team to give something of value for Dunn will be tough barring an injury elsewhere. Perhaps that is something the Bulls can use to their advantage.
Let Dunn show out this preseason in hopes of attracting a suitor needing an injury replacement or backup lead guard.
Decide on Starting Point Guard
This is a two-man race. Dunn should be on his way out of Chicago so the decision is between Satoransky and White. Who gets the nod will say a lot about the player and the ceiling of the team in 2019. But the starter to begin the season could also give way to the other later on if the team’s situation changes.
The expectation is Satoransky gets the first crack at starting. After his play on the world stage yielded averages of 15.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.6 rebounds that may not be a bad idea. He showed a lot of his wares as his team made it as far as Team USA with him as their best player.
If there is a question it is whether the benefits of starting Satoransky outweigh the negatives of thrusting White into the role for which he was drafted.
The veteran has an 87-0 edge over the rookie in starts which pales in comparison to his games played advantage. But White is the future of the position for the Bulls. Delaying his inevitable ascension could have an adverse effect on what should be a confidence and momentum-building season.
White has to show he is capable of leading, of course. He is more of a scorer than facilitator at this point. But with Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen expected to have the ball the majority of the time that may not be a bad thing,
Prioritize Health
What might have the biggest influence over the outcome of this season is actually largely out of the team’s control: staying healthy. Numerous injuries derailed an already tumultuous season and put stress on the roster that resulted in some bad habits. Improved health puts the bench guys back in their proper roles and should allow for a smoother offensive flow.
They lost over 270 games due to injury and had to use 27 different starting lineups.
If they can reduce that number by even half the results could be immense. For all the talent on the roster, they have never had their core healthy for an extended period of time. That lack of cohesion has shown on the floor and made the team tough to evaluate.
A healthy 2019 has to be at or near the top of the list of priorities for the Bulls but there is only so much they can do. The league already reduced the number of back-to-back games. The rest will have to come through *gulp* luck. That is a scary proposition but one that every team has to deal with. We saw just how much impact injuries can have in these past NBA Finals.
A lot of factors went into the Bulls 2018 campaign ending with a 22-60 record. Much of that was self-inflicted. They have taken steps to remedy some, but health is a wildcard in every sport. Even their improved depth could prove to be for naught.
But it looks good right now and that is a marked improvement from the sentiments about the team when last season ended.