Where the Chicago Bulls can turn to for a center
Moving Wendell Carter Jr. to a reserve role is the more interesting decision of the two benching. This is because yes Thaddeus Young has played outstanding in the starting line-up since the adjustment, but we still need a center. WCJ has barely impacted these last to games in limited minutes either.
Even with him starting the second half against OKC for size on Tuesday March 16, he really never established himself and a center named Moses Brown had 16 rebounds in that game. The lack of physicality and aggression in the front court has really hurt the Bulls this season.
That is telling, and is why WCJ coming off the bench has helped us to win two in a row. The eye-popping reason why the Bulls are looking better is because Sato is in the starting five not because WCJ was benched.
It’s also because we haven’t played against a top center, just back-ups since the start of the second half of the season.. Young will struggle going against top centers for 40 minutes a night, eventually he will be exposed like WCJ has been. They are just undersized compared to the centers in the league.
Even with Young moving to the starting line-up we still need a center. We lack size to compete against even average centers in the league. Young is only a band aide temporally fixing the issue. Against the better centers in the league the Bulls have been bull dozed over all season.
We are giving paint points away on a nightly basis, or letting reserve centers have career nights rebounding against us. WCJ may or may not be in our immediate future but the front office should trade for a center and move him to his natural power forward position first before they make that decision to finally move on from the young power forward/center.
A trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers for center Andre Drummond makes sense for the needs of this team, but his salary and all the other teams looking to trade for him, who are contenders may spoil that possibility. If he is bought out by the Cavs you can definitely scratch that idea.
Drummond would be that rebounding physical presence we need in the front court. He has the ability to get his own shots from just sheer hustle plays. He is a long body for some extra rim protection.
Another name that I would like to see this front office take a strong look at is center Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers. He could be that missing link the Bulls have been missing. Turner could provide multiple needs for the Bulls.
He is a strong physical, high energy player who can score in multiple ways. He plays great defense, he could be helpful in the driving lanes. He would also be a spark to our already potent offense, he would be our second best player behind All-Star shooting guard LaVine.
This splashy move also gives the Bulls another late game option but this time in the post or they could run plays for Turner down the stretch in close games. He would be another presence in the paint for added defense.
Having another option in crunch time who can get to the free-throw line could be a crucial addition to start winning more of these close games the Bulls find themselves in. Finishing games and closing teams out has been a huge struggle so far.
He is not that prototypical center but he would prove sufficient and exactly what the Bulls need to get to the play-offs by seasons end. He would be worth any player it took to get in a trade. His impact could be the difference between a play-in tournament or a possible sixth seed.
We could possibly see some moves in the next week, or the Bulls may stay the course. Leading up to the trade deadline will be the most important point of the season, it may determine a new direction or follow with the same old ups and downs.
If we keep winning expect little change, but if we begin to lose the games we should win then expect moves to be made.
We know one thing and that is Donovan is not afraid to make the tough decisions to better this young team. Can the new front office follow suit and make the rest of the choices that need to be made.
Winning and losing becomes the most intriguing upcoming statistic to look forward to, winning keeps the core intact while loosing opens doors to better this roster for the future. Playing things out isn’t a bad idea either.
The players are willing to sacrifice for each other to do what it takes to win. Can this mentality carry over to the front office, are they willing to make the correct calls or will they let the deadline pass us by with the hope that we already have our future stars in lined!