2) Questions for Chicago Bulls new HC Billy Donovan: Will CP3 See R-E-D?
One of the major issues the Bulls had last season was their lack of ball movement. They ranked 19th in passes and 23rd in assists. OKC wasn’t much better in either category and was actually worse in one, finishing the regular season 18th in passes made and 29th in assists. The caveat? They ranked sixth in secondary assists. The ball was moving for the Thunder; particularly on the perimeter.
The Thunder also had a secret weapon too though.
Paul was supposed to be in Miami this season. Acquired in the deal between the Thunder and the Houston Rockets, Paul found himself on an island; a win-now veteran on a clearly rebuilding team. Or so we thought.
OKC literally defied the odds to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. But they didn’t sneak or back in by any stretch; they were the fifth-seed. Now, they only went 4-4 in the bubble. From December 1st until the season was shut down, however, they went 33-13; third-best in the NBA behind only the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Paul, for his part, proved once again to be a much more versatile player than previously thought.
After adjusting his playing style with that of James Harden, Paul became a rudder for the Thunder and mentor for Gilgeous-Alexander.
That might be his biggest appeal to the Bulls. He and White already have a strong bond that precedes the latter’s career. If the front office agrees with White and sees him as their point guard of the future, Paul would be a great extension of Donovan on the floor.
A deal could be done. Assuming Porter picks up his option (almost a given), Karnisovas and the Bulls could try to move him in combination with Thaddeus Young.
Neither Paul nor Porter would be in the Chicago’s long-term plans, but the franchise would get more out of one year of Paul as opposed to an indeterminate amount of games from Porter. That’s why Giannis Antetokounmpo mentioned him specifically as a player he wants his Bucks to pursue.
But what if a bigger shakeup is coming?