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Bulls coach Billy Donovan likes to say his Bulls players are great guys. He says it often, and it doesn’t seem just what he has to say.

They do seem like fine and responsible people, good citizens who give back to their community like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, devoted family men like LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu, polite youngsters like Coby White and Patrick Williams, spot light avoiders like Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball, hard working overachievers like Javonte Green and Derrick Jones Jr., soft spoken, basically controversy free professionals.

Which is why Bulls rookie Dalen Terry may be just what this Bulls teams needs.

Not because he’s a problem or exception to the norm since he seems to fit the great guy profile in which I’m sure he’ll be included. But there’s also a youthful irreverence and insouciance to the 19-year-old, a spirit and a passion that can actually help ignite a team. It seemed that way already Saturday in the first pre-Summer League practice for the Bulls baby team headed for Las Vegas last week.

There was Terry trash talking with veterans like Patrick Williams, running and pushing the ball and defending, loud, loud, loud, and to the point Terry was picked by teammates as the inaugural winner of the most competitive player of the day in practice.

There was no trophy, but this is more than just participation.

“You felt him throughout,” said John Bryant, the Bulls assistant coach who’ll be coaching the Summer League team starting in Las Vegas on July 8. “He was voted by his teammates as the guy who competed the hardest. So that lets you know that he’s going to be in the mix every single time.”

There’s not substantive that accrues from Summer League. After all, Denzel Valentine was the superstar when the Bulls won the championship when it was a tournament, and Derrick Rose didn’t look like a first-round pick. So no one is making too many judgments after the first practice.

Terry, the No. 18 selection in the first round in last week’s draft out of the University of Arizona, comes to the Bulls with a reputation as a long armed, athletic player more noted, for now, for his defense. Someone needing some work on his shot and only toward the end of his sophomore season at Arizona taking over point guard duties.

But he may also possess the intangible that is as important as it is difficult to identify, that emotional obsession that can carry a player beyond his defined skills. And then help arouse the passions of his teammates. Similar to the effect a player like Patrick Beverley can have on a team, Russell Westbrook when he’s flying around and dunking, Kevin Garnett when he’s in the face of the opponent.

“Came in here and competed; everybody did what they had to do today,” the 6-6 Terry said after a long early afternoon practice at the Advocate Center. “There was a lot of competing, a lot of trash talking, men competing. I can’t say nothing else besides competing; that was the word today. Coach really emphasized that in the offensive and defensive schemes and we got up and down. It was a great day."

This is not to say the Bulls are looking at the kid to lead them. Heck, he might not even be in the regular rotation to start if all the veteran players remain healthy.

But with a fast smile and a ready quip, Terry seems different than the parade of 19 and 20-year-olds who have been through here in the last five or six years. Not that they were difficult. Or untalented. To the contrary, they were from Lauri Markkenen to Wendell Carter Jr. to Chandler Hutchison, Coby White, Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu, all very likable, cooperative and respectful.

Terry seems to have those traits as well. But there’s also a twinkling brightness in his eyes and a fast smile when he knows media is reaching for something that he’s not ready to dole out quite yet. He seems to understand the dance with media already without being Westbrook-angry or Lauri-like diffident.

Here was an exchange from Saturday’s media session:

Question: In the scrimmages how were you used?“Like I said I’m very versatile, so I was all over the court. I was bringing it up, I was rebounding, I was taking the ball out, setting screens. I can’t really give you the role. I was doing a lot.”

Question: What do you do best? What do you most enjoy?

“I won a couple of games. I can’t be voted most competitive and not win.”

Question: What did you feel most comfortable doing? Handle, shoot?

“Like you say, I’m versatile. What’s versatile mean to you? Do a lot of things, right? I’m a guy who can play in a lot of different situations, so it really doesn’t matter to me because I know when I go on the court I’m going to produce.”

Question: But everyone is better at something?

“OK, I’m gonna give you something. I was playing defense today. I was talking, making guys know I was here on the floor, just trying to live up to the hype when it comes to being a lead guy, being competitive, yeah. Good for you?”

It’s not hubris and he’s not being patronizing. It’s actually an unusually mature quality for a teenager in these kinds of situations, answering questions with confidence and aplomb moments after being able to impress his teammates with his edge and his energy. It’s unusual to see a college sophomore able to walk into that scene, and especially in a major media market with an historic franchise, and impress without being overbearing.

That’s also leadership. And if Terry can put on some weight and strength and upgrade his skills, the Bulls might have landed a player who maybe isn’t an All-Star, but can be a leader and motivator who helps raise the level of play of everyone else. That’s another way to make teammates better. Like coaches often say, be a star in your role. Which is often much more difficult to acquire than an All-Star.

As for the weight room, Bryant said he was impressed with seeing 2020 second-round pick Marko Simonovic, who put up big numbers for the Windy City Bulls last season but was pushed around to the point the team seemed to fear using him in the NBA.

Simonovic is with the Summer League team, and he’s still apparently in the proving stage considering the Bulls reported free agency acquisitions. But he is 6-11 with a good offensive game. Can he be more than he’s been?

“I don't know if you guys saw Marko,” said Bryant. “Like, he's bigger than me, and I pride myself on being a big really&nbsp;fit guy. His shoulders look like a grown man. So he's obviously been working; he's obviously been doing something. He’s been eating, at least. He looks great. That was something we had asked him (to do), really work on his body. And then now it's just really game reps. What does he do? How can he find a consistent role with us, with the Bulls? And then really do it every day.”

So Simonovic will be watched in Las Vegas along with Marquette’s Justin Lewis, who surprisingly went undrafted after generally being targeted as a second-round selection. He’s similar in size to Terry, and much heavier if also not as fast and athletic. He’s a potentially interesting prospect considering his size and abilities.

“I’m excited about Justin Lewis,” said Bryant. “That man comes with a lot of energy every day. He's Marquette, right? That program, right? And so that's something, he speaks to his program. His versatility, how he can guard almost every&nbsp;position. It was only one practice. I’m excited to see what is he going to do offensively? I think he's very&nbsp;versatile. So I think we can put him in a lot of different spots. But the dude comes with a smile, he's always in the gym. I probably had to kick him out of the gym. I forget what night it was, I said, 'Hey we have a long week and we haven't started playing games.' He's just in here and his energy is very infectious, almost like DT, Dalen.”

“Me and Justin, we go way back, we played against each other in high school,” said Terry. “When I had my media here and went in the locker room he was there, had that smile. When I saw we picked him up, obviously, I was really happy, I texted him immediately. That's my right hand man right now, so we’ll be in the hotel chillin’. Everywhere I go, he goes. On the court, we’re competing. If you ain't wearing my colors I don't like (you). But if we wearin’ the same colors we like each other. It's cool.

Williams and Dosunmu are working out with the Summer League rookies, but neither will play in Las Vegas. But according to Bryant, it seems like a different Williams.

“Patrick looks like a man,” said Bryant. “He looks like a third-year player. He stands out. His body is NBA-ready. He just looks like a grown man. There's a sense of 'I belong here. I am a third-year player,' and he carries himself as such. Same as Ayo, Ayo looked great; you know what I mean? His command, his presence. He played like an all-rookie player and he let everyone in the gym know.”

It sounded like there was a lot of sound. Like when Terry was taking on Williams.

“He’s been in the league, so I give him his respect,” said Terry. "But I’m going to compete. I ain’t backing down now.”

dalen-terrys-competitiveness-stands-out-during-bulls-summer-league-training-camp

Dalen Terry's competitiveness stands out during Bulls Summer League Training Camp

Art Alenik: The KD talk has already started. Just saw an article ‘3 Trades to Get the Bulls Durant’ and another one proposing KD trades around DeMar and around Zach. I believe he’ll end up staying in Brooklyn.&nbsp;But s/b interesting w/ Kyrie &amp; Simmons.&nbsp;I could see them trading Kyrie... if anyone will have him.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Sam: The NBA rarely disappoints in free agency, which&nbsp;begins Thursday night at 5 p.m. Last year was a little bit boring, which helped the Bulls get Ball and DeRozan, but there’s no league with more intrigue even as the players have withdrawn from the Big Three formula to take the money and then decide later when they are unhappy. This Kyrie Irving low heat looks like it will come to a boil all season. No big surprise no one but the Lakers was interested. And they basically had nothing to trade and $6 million to spend (see Kyrie is also about the money like everyone else) other than Westbrook and his $47 million. So now he’ll have to play as annoying as that is to persuade someone next summer he’s worth it. You know, until you pay him.

Anyway, the unhappy Kyrie narrative sucked in Kevin Durant, who supposedly/apparently/could be his buddy. And without his buddy, so the reasoning goes, KD will be unhappy and despite just starting a four-year extension will have to be traded because no one could bear seeing KD sad. That’s supposedly why there were no big trades on draft night. The thinking was no one wanted to deplete their roster if KD happened to come on the market. So next season will be all about what’s up with Kyrie, and maybe we can get KD. That appears over for now with Irving opting in, and the Nets if Ben Simmons also decides he wants to play could have a strong roster next season. But it will constantly be under scrutiny, and the Bulls will be one team with three recent All-Stars and some talented young players who will be speculated could put together a KD, here-we-go-again package. Free agency 2022? Heck, we can’t wait for 2023. C’mon, who doesn’t love the NBA? The games are OK, too.

Mike Sutera: Here are free agents I think we should be interested in:

Gorgui Dieng: really has been on the decline for some time however he's a guy who can hit an occasional jumper. Nicolas Claxton: basically Daniel Gafford but probably will he paid more. Horrendous free throw shooter who cost the Nets big time Vs Celts series. Restricted free agent.&nbsp;Nemanja Bjelica: just for three point shooting.&nbsp;TJ Warren: a 1 yr deal that benefits both parties. Had a stellar bubble run until injuries cost him two seasons.Wayne Ellington: getting older and coming off career lows but hey who didn't this past yr on LA lol. Dewayne Dedmon: another guy similar to Dieng but more physical. Mike Muscala: a terrific shooter. Still young.Robin Lopez: just an insurance policy at the vet minimum. Frank Kaminsky: see TJ Warren. Thaddeus Young: would be great to have him back but he's getting older yet doesn't think he deserves to play behind younger guys so I doubt he would be down for a return.Thomas Bryant: another injury plagued big we could get real cheap. Not the prettiest of names but we won't have much money.&nbsp;

Sam: And let the bidding begin. Obviously, Zach LaVine is priority No. 1 for the Bulls, but at 46 wins there’s work to do. The Bulls have a few avenues to pursue in free agency, and obviously there are opportunities to trade with a glut of guards. There’s a salary cap exception of either about $6 million or $10 million and I think that Theis trade exception is around for a few more days or weeks. I assumed the Bulls were trying to land a big man or shooter in the draft, but with their likely targets gone Dalen Terry was a good fallback. Though he isn’t either of those. That’s a decent list you present.

Claxton seems like he’s going back to the Nets. Mo Bamba seems like he’ll be unrestricted, but with bidding and not a huge free agent class could move out of the Bulls budget. Ellington might be worth an inexpensive look. Not sure if the Warriors bring back Bjelica, and defense is an issue, but the Bulls could use forwards who shoot, too. Dedmon is intriguing and I do like the toughness. And I love the word play with his name, Dedmon tells no tales, you know. Maybe Andre Drummond if he doesn’t cost too much, but sounds like he wants to. I read where the Knicks might move on from Taj Gibson, but like with Thad, good guy to have around but not big enough. Maybe someone like JaVale McGee or Isaiah Hartenstein. For shooting, perhaps Gary Harris, Bryn Forbes, Ben McLemore? Maybe take a run at Donte DiVincenzo if he doesn’t cost too much? Does Serge Ibaka have anything left? Or Avery Bradley, who always was a personal favorite. Have I mentioned there’s nothing quite like NBA free agency?

Brodie Larsh: So the interweb is throwing rumors around like crazy right now. What do you think of this one:Lakers get Kyrie Irving, Gordon HaywordHornets get Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, future Lakers 1st pickNets get Terry Rozier, Stanley Johnson, Talen Horton TuckerIt only makes sense for the Nets if Kyrie has drawn a line in the sand saying to trade him or he sits out. Hornets motivated to shed long term salary for their young guys who will need deals soon, Lakers obvious winners, at least on paper, but they would be down to technically only 4 players on contract, and way over cap.&nbsp;

Sam: As if the Garnett/Pierce trade wasn’t bad enough for the Nets. Charlotte has been mentioned before for Westbrook given their apparent desire to get off Hayward’s money. Which is a problem as he rarely plays because of injury. The Nets taking on all that money and so little talent, I believe, would make KD very sad.

John Petersen: DeMar DeRozen was easily the single biggest contributor last season.&nbsp;He was the veteran leading the team, the “go to” scorer in the 4th quarter and played virtually every game with very high court minutes.&nbsp;So AK should go fishing with DeRozen as trade bait. He turns 33 in August and it’s difficult to project that he can continue at the level of last season when he is 35.&nbsp; As sadly revealed in the playoffs the Bulls are at least two years away from being a serious title contender.&nbsp; Another team might view DeMar as their missing piece and be willing to overpay.&nbsp; He is never going to be more valuable.

Sam: It’s a reasonable point I’ve heard mentioned coming off that amazing season, career high scoring, career high shooting, averaging more minutes than he had in eight years, the most minutes since he was 26. You know LeBron still is getting a lot of crap for urging the Lakers to pass on DeMar for Westbrook and would like to fix that. Same with the Knicks, who decided Fournier and Kemba was a better idea. Though they seem all in on Jalen Brunson for now. I seriously doubt trading DeMar has been discussed. Other teams—OK, some—also can add and know DeMar is turning 33 and I’m not sure how much you’d get. I don’t think DeMar gets as sad as KD, but I doubt the Bulls want to give him reason to after all he did for the team last season. And how much his teammates respect him. The biggest thing Karnisovas seemed to emphasize post season was—not making excuses here, but—they were in first and lost their three best defenders, so let’s see how that looks with a year under their belts. They seem all in on running it back as close as they can to having the regular rotation from last season’s first few months. Now, if KD becomes available, well….there really are no untouchables on a sixth place team. Psst, I don’t think he is this season. Pass it on.

Mick Metzinger: I see Terry took number 25.&nbsp;I hope it’s not the Curse of Marquis Teague.

Sam: Players often have sentimental reasons for the number they select and Terry mentioned Ben Wilson, who a family friend knew, and Steve Kerr, who was the second best No. 25 in team history. And while Kerr did make a few very big plays, in five years with the Bulls he never started a game or averaged in double figures. So I see Terry as the next No. 2.

The disappointing part to me is the number never should have been available. It was first worn in 1969 by Chet Walker, who became a Hall of Famer thanks mostly to his six seasons with the Bulls when he made four All-Star teams. I know in this era history is not particularly popular. It’s usually His-story or Her-story. And rarely our Story. Could it have happened if I didn’t see it? In Bulls franchise history, only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen have made more All-Star teams. Only Jordan in franchise history has scored more points in a game than Walker’s 56. Walker was the go-to guy closer for the first great Bulls team that averaged more than 50 wins over a five-year stretch and the first to reach a conference finals and only one until Jordan’s late 1980s Bulls team. Walker and that team were even crucial in saving the Bulls for Chicago. His acquisition from the 76ers, where he was the prime support scorer for Wilt Chamberlain and the historic 1968 championship team, probably helped save the Bulls for Chicago. Chicago was known then as an NBA graveyard with George Mikan’s Chicago American Gears folding and the Packers/Zephyrs relocating to eventually become the Washington Wizards. A San Diego group around 1970 was planning to buy and move the Bulls, but attendance finally recovered with the play of that group led by Walker, Jerry Sloan, and then Bob Love and Norm Van Lier coming later.

Walker also was a labor and social rights leader of the era as a plaintiff in the Robertson suit that led to free agency. He then retired after the 1974-75 season to become a movie producer despite averaging 19.2 points. Then Bulls owner Arthur Wirtz denied Walker’s attempts to become a free agent in 1975 and, according to Walker, said he owned him. Walker told Wirtz he’d retire first before accepting such a declaration. And then he did. The Bulls have only four retired player numbers, Jordan, Pippen, Sloan and Love. It’s among the fewest in the league, especially for a franchise with such a rich and celebrated history. It would be appropriate to see Walker’s 25 celebrated along with some others who played a part in elite Bulls eras (five years with the team minimum), like at least a few from a group that includes Van Lier, Horace Grant, Derrick Rose, Artis Gilmore, Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah.

Knicks are sending to Pistons for cap space for Brunson, Noel, Burks, two future 2nd round picks and cash.

Sam: There they go again. Good for Jalen, who they may have mistaken for Isiah Thomas, the good one. Very nice player and tough guy whom the fans will like, but giving away so much? I remember the Lakers giving a bunch of stuff away to create cap room. But that was for Shaq. Another nice deal by the Pistons after a great draft night to get some real veterans off the bench. The Central is getting competitive.

Abe Rotbart: When you really think about it, bringing back Otto Porter Jr. and Thad Young on short term deals makes lots of sense for these Chicago Bulls. Can we get your blessing on that?

Sam: Not a chance. Porter certainly wants to return to the Warriors, and who would blame him. The Bulls experience with him was a disaster. He played in 54 games for the Bulls over three seasons and missed 82. That makes Kyrie Irving look like an iron man.&nbsp;Thad was great, an unselfish teammate, sacrificing for the team and then when the coaching situation resolved he had a great season as a point forward. But he’d be too far down the Bulls rotation on a minimum type contract for it be appealing to him, I assume. He’s a very successful businessman off the court. And in size and perimeter shooting he doesn’t match the Bulls primary needs. Though I know the media and fans would welcome him back. Wonderful guy.

Mark Schweihs: Here are some Bulls comparisons for Dalen Terry: Pete Myers, Kris Dunn , Jimmy Butler, Kirk Hinrich. I started my comparison process with Pete Myers - defense first, light scoring guard/wing.&nbsp; He was the #120 overall pick.&nbsp; Jimmy was #30 overall but started career with his defense and the offense blossomed. The others were higher draft choices and had offensive game that was under development.&nbsp;From what I've read, Dalen Terry is the type of player that the rest of the league wants to play with - and doesn't want to play against.&nbsp;

Sam: That’s a far reaching comparison. In the predraft scouting reports on him I’ve seen him compared to a wide variety of mostly role players or fifth starters like Delon Wright, Nic Batum, Will Barton, Tayshaun Prince and Todd Day. Terry seems somewhat more athletic. Your comparisons are more by numbers, which is uncertain. I look more at style of play and the names that come to mind to me are Thabo Sefolosha, Michael Carter-Williams and Mickey Johnson, tall, thin guys who were good defenders and effective in the open court and attacking the basket without good shooting numbers. I’m sure by the end of Summer League we’ll be able to project the rest of his career, or at least make some final judgments.

Wayne Warner: Read that AK views Terry more as a wing so I take it he is DeRozen’s successor at the 3… Does AK envision Justin Lewis a future PJ Tucker at the 4 and small ball 5? Is there a scenario that DeRozen is better off the bench and off course on the court in late 4th quarter...Seems that he is a team player vet that would accept this Ginobli role and chance to get 6th man award.&nbsp; Start Ball, LaVine, Caruso, Williams &amp; Vucevic as then have Ball, Caruso &amp; Williams for above avg defense.

Sam: I discussed the DeRozan off-the-bench thing some during the season, but seriously doubt the Bulls would consider that if only for the message to a veteran. As you note with Ginobili, there’s no shame and it’s still a first ballot Hall of Fame move. But I doubt it, especially since Donovan seems to prefer to cater to veterans. It’s probably more semantics since Donovan always takes DeRozan out first and plays him a lot with the reserves, anyway. Donovan has shown he’ll mix and match for defense, but he does seem to prefer to finish with his veterans. Terry’s never going to score like DeRozan. And in the NBA a starting wing guy needs to score. He’s projected as a guy you want to see in his third year. I guess it’s possible, though I doubt yet the Bulls see it that way. Lewis seems like a nice pickup for supposedly a two-way deal, less athletic than Terry but bigger and more physical. He was supposed to be a solid second round pick and didn’t get there, so we’ll see if the Bulls got another steal. Certainly worth the look.

Ateeq Ahmed: Chris Boucher is a free agent forward. Is he a realistic option or out of our price range? I remember him playing well against us last season. Filled in nicely for OG and Siakam when they were out. He’s a pretty good rebounder.&nbsp;

Sam: I assume he thinks he is out of the Bulls price range. He’s another guy in the Siakam mold developed by the Raptors, who do a very good job of that. But as a skinny, if long, forward who doesn’t shoot great he also doesn’t address the Bulls primary needs of size and shooting. Pass for now.

Parker Lerdal: What about Dejounte Murray being traded to the Hawks. It was supposed to be for John Collins?&nbsp;

Sam: I read the other day where the Hawks supposedly were not trading Collins, which seemed like more bargaining. He sounds finished with Atlanta, but this talk around Murray has seemed the most mystifying. He’s an All-Star, 25-year-old point guard. Tough to find those. Until you check the 2023 mock drafts. There’s this 7-2 French guy named Victor Wembanyama who is being called the best prospect since LeBron James. Or Greg Oden. Watch out in San Antonio, the tank is rolling. Hey, it worked once when they decided to get David Robinson really healthy and, what do you know, Tim Duncan. And the rest, as they say….Apparently to guard against winning too many, Dejounte had to go. For picks and Danilo Gallinari. If there’s a buyout, I'd kick the tires if I were the Bulls. Shooter, shooter, be a recruiter. And a suitor. It’s a heck of a pickup for the Hawks to have Murray with Trae Young, both All-Star guards who and shoot and make plays. The GM said they’d be better. Anyone mention the East is getting better?

Mike Queen: The LA Times is saying the Lakers may be targeting Coby White for Talen Horton-Tucker.

Sam: I can believe that, that the LA media is saying that. Not Chicago because, well, Horton-Tucker from Chicago doesn’t shoot as well as White and makes a lot more money for the next two years. Yes, the guy LeBron felt they had to keep instead of Alex Caruso. Next. Nothing to see here.

Arthur Lenn: I’m still seeing rumors about the Bulls &amp; Gobert (strangely none about Ayton), but I think it’s much more likely they use the MLE for a big body like Hartenstein or Bamba (who is now going to be a UFA!).&nbsp; I’ve also heard Mitchell Robinson and here’s another interesting one... Jalen Smith (Pacers UFA) – 6’10” 220 lb. swing man. 13 &amp; 8 in 25 min/game last season.&nbsp;Shoots 37% from the arc on 3.8 att/game.

Sam: Surprise, surprise but I was watching many Pacers games when he started playing the last few months. The numbers were impressive and because of cap rules and the Suns who drafted him in the first round not picking up his third year option the Pacers are limited to offering him about $5 million a year. He’s on the skinny side and seems like more of a scoring four, so would he want to be a backup for Patrick Williams? The Pacers probably would offer him starting chances. But he also is worthy a kick of the tires.

Martin Skelly: I know every year you must get thousands of emails about Derrick Rose coming back to the Bulls so I apologize for adding to it. However would this not be a perfect time to go out and get him? Looks like the Knicks are trying to clear as much space as possible for Brunson so could possibly get him for very little.And also he would provide great security behind Lonzo?

Sam: Actually my Rose mail went into big decline first when Ball and the team started so well and then when Derrick got hurt and needed surgery, if supposedly minor. He’d actually be great insurance now for Ball, and with enough time passed and new management to get a second fresh start for a seemingly welcoming fan base, but he’s probably well out of the Bulls price range. He makes about $14 million this season with a team option afterwards. I do think because of the circumstances with Ball the time is right, and I’m sure Derrick would love to close it out in Chicago. I guess some depends on whether the Knicks can actually get Brunson and how much it would cost. The Knicks probably would like to find a taker for Rose’s salary and then maybe the Bulls could facilitate something and deal with that team. Resume the Rose emails!

Jeffrey Pierce: Pray with me that Irving goes to the Lakers.&nbsp;Him and LeBron back together again would be great. Irving is a wacko but he is good for the NBA because he is so entertaining.&nbsp;

Sam: That’s a valid point with Kyrie. He’s probably tough to live with if he’s on your team, but he does engender as much debate, wincing, angst, anger, frustration and head shaking as anyone in the league. And isn’t that a big part of the appeal of the NBA? So Kyrie, don’t go away. We’d miss you too much. What would we talk about?

Michael Axe: Is this true? A report the Bulls, Celtics and Kings are interested in trading for John Collins?

Sam: And it’s been 15 minutes since the last Gobert mention. Let the madness begin.

Ask Sam will resume during training camp for the 2022-23 season.

Got a question for Sam?Submit your question to Sam at&nbsp;asksam@bulls.com

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

ask-sam-mailbag-potential-free-agent-moves-dalen-terry-and-bringing-back-former-bulls

Ask Sam mailbag: Potential free agent moves, Dalen Terry, and bringing back former Bulls?

The Bulls this season are seeking a seat at the table with the NBA’s elite, though Vice-President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas Monday admitted it still will be difficult to find a comfortable position.

“We got 46 wins, which is great, had some playoff experience,” Karnišovas noted about last season during Monday’s introduction for first-round draft pick Dalen Terry. “But we need to build on that, and it’s not going to be easy next year to come back and do the same.”

So the Bulls add Terry, a precocious 19-year-old athlete, and then hope to step aggressively into free agency, which begins 5 p.m. Thursday when team can begin communicating and make deals with free agents. Official signings begin July 6. Karnisovas, like General Manager Marc Eversley told the media Thursday when the Bulls drafted Terry, said the Bulls remain consistent about their desire “that we hope Zach is here for a long time; nothing changed.”

LaVine as an unrestricted free agent is eligible to sign a five-year contract with the Bulls.

But when the music stops and the next season begins one question is who’ll be without a seat in the team’s musical chairs perimeter roster squeeze.

Bulls players currently under contract for next season are DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vučević, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams, Coby White, Javonte Green, Ayo Dosunmu and Marko Simonović. Tony Bradley can opt into one more season. The Bulls have the option to make qualifying offers to Troy Brown, Tyler Cook and Malcolm Hill or they become unrestricted free agents.

So there probably is half a roster still to organize in the weeks ahead.

With the addition of Terry, it’s for now a guard-heavy roster with the assumptions that Ball and Caruso will be healthy for training camp. The Bulls have said Ball is progressing well from his knee problems of the previous season. There was no additional detail. He is perhaps the most crucial current question mark for the team because of how well the team played before he was injured and out for the season.

The Bulls were in first place in the Eastern Conference on Jan. 14, the last day Ball played for the Bulls last season. The Bulls then lost four of five and fell out of first, but regained first amidst the historic shooting prowess of DeRozan. Miami passed the Bulls before the All-Star break to place its coaching staff in the All-Star game. But the Bulls still climbed back into first in the East after the All-Star weekend. They last were in first place Feb. 25 before the continued impact of the injuries sent them to sixth place for the season.

“The start the season last year was positive and exactly how we want to play,” said Karnisovas. “The goals is in September for all the roster to be healthy and ready for the season.”

The Bulls with Ball healthy played an uptempo offensive game with more movement thanks to Ball’s tendency and tenacity to push the ball and throw ahead. No one else on the Bulls roster proved capable of that kind of play. By the end of the season the offense slowed to a walk and became isolation-oriented. The defense of Ball and Caruso also was vital in causing turnovers for transition scores, which diminished with their injuries.

Dosunmu and White each played some point guard, but neither were true point guards in the style of Ball. DeRozan and LaVine, while never called point guards, probably played lead guard/ball handling roles more than Dosunmu and White.

Which also is one question for draft pick Terry, who played point guard in high school and at the University of Arizona last season when there were injuries. Like Dosunmu and White, it was perforce rather than innate.

The Bulls discovered there’s a big difference between players who can play point guard and players who are point guards.

There’s much discussion these days in the NBA about so called “positionless” play and a surfeit of “small ball.” But the Bulls have identified a prime offseason personnel priority of acquiring a “rim protector” big man for interior defense. One of the more intriguing questions about the roster is how and if all those guards are going to be utilized with the addition of the uber athletic Terry.

Although Terry is listed as a small forward/guard, the 19-year-old weighs 195 pounds, which for now likely is too thin for forward play in the NBA.

“He demonstrated he does a lot of things well, from rebounding to playmaking to steals,” said Karnišovas. “He’s a high motor, energy, 6-foot-7, 7-1 wingspan, good defender, versatile guy and when we worked him out loudest guy in the gym. Even talking about his shooting, he shot 36 percent (on threes) and at the end of the season he shot even better. I think he has a lot of room for growth. He has the physical tools to do it; we’re excited to see him out there.”

Terry will play for the Bulls Summer League team in Las Vegas starting July 7. Bulls coach Billy Donovan said both Williams and Dosunmu will work with the team at an Advocate Center pre-Summer League camp, but will not play in Summer League games in Las Vegas.

So it will be an opportunity for Terry in what seems like a competition among he, Dosunmu and White for the precious playing time behind primary point guards Ball and Caruso.&nbsp;

“What stood out was his (Terry’s) athleticism, his energy, his motor, his competitiveness,” said Donovan. “His skill set will continue to grow. You always feel good about a player’s skill set based around the fact of what kind of worker they are, and he’s a great worker. Everything will get better, ballhandling, passing, shooting. He’s obviously got great ability defensively. He’s long. You can feel his intensity.&nbsp;

“I do think with (Terry’s) versatility and competitiveness, it’s finding a way that he can get that into the game,” said Donovan. “Ayo in college was kind of a combination guard. At the point guard position, he began to play that full time and we feel confident he can continue to play that position. Coby my first year he shifted to the point guard position full time. Alex has really played one through four for us. The versatility and the fact Dalen can play multiple positions and so can Ayo and so can Alex Caruso is beneficial. Coby last year coming off the shoulder surgery, sometimes he started, sometimes he came off the bench, on the ball sometimes, off the ball. He handled himself well. The thing I like about our backcourt players is Artūras has (acquired) a lot of guys who can play multiple positions. Before we got injured we were closing with Alex Caruso at the power forward spot. The same with Patrick Williams. He can slide around. That’s what Artūras has looked at besides the competitive piece, the versatility of putting different combinations of players on the floor together. I think that will be true of Dalen. He can play a lot of different positions. We have flexibility to see how these guys work and play with one another.”

Like the coaches always say, they welcome competition to see who performs. But there really aren’t that many chairs, as it turns out, at this Bulls table.

dalen-terry-introduced-to-the-media-karnisovas-gives-offseason-bulls-updates

Dalen Terry introduced to the media, Karnišovas gives offseason Bulls updates

John Petersen: So the Bulls need size, bulk and three point shooting and then select a 6’6” 195 pound sophomore combo/tweener guard that scores 8 points a game and excels at nothing.&nbsp;We need to see him play but the initial fan response is why?&nbsp;

Sam: Like climbing Mt. Everest, because he was there? He clearly seems like a project for now, a kid who even his college coach didn’t think would be drafted until recently. Which doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be. The draft gurus all had the Ohio State forward, Liddell, around that spot and a fit for the Bulls. Then he fell to No. 41. You know, like another recent fall to No. 41, Nikola Jokic. Oh no!

I actually think Terry is a good risk because he fits the particulars of the NBA, defensive length and aggression with at least not a broken shot. He didn’t exactly answer the Bulls primary needs of interior defensive size and knock down perimeter shooting. There’s free agency and trades to respond to that. Plus, you aren’t addressing current needs, anyway, generally after the first half of the first round, and especially as young as they come, and for a team mostly comprised of veterans. He looks like a G-league start for now with the roster glut at guard, though I said that about Dosunmu this time last year. It’s obvious the Bulls had their eyes on filling some needs, most likely a center like Duke’s Mark Williams. But one of the costs of being better is being worse in the draft. I think Terry also fits the profile of some of the other guys they probably were looking at for more immediate help, like Jeremy Sochan or Tari Eason.

Brodie Larsh: So they didn't go after rim protection or 3 pt-shooting, and got another combo guard. He does seem like a great complimentary player, ball mover, and help defender. I've seen him labeled as a "jack of all trades" type, and has the size and abilities to play 1-3, possibly small ball 4. Likely 5th-6th guard on the depth chart?&nbsp;

Sam: There’s also an interesting pattern in the Bulls picks under Karnisovas. Ayo fell in their lap because the NBA book on him was broken shot. Pretty much anyone in Chicago who watches college ball would have picked him at No. 38. That was the no brainer. Karnisovas’ two main picks, both surprises to many, with Patrick Williams his first pick were teenagers who didn’t score in double figures in college, suggesting he’s eying a two-track system of high level veterans to compete now and a stash of kids to begin to replace them in the next few years. It’s smart in a sense because it could avoid the complete teardown ugliness the Bulls went through in recent years while the team uses free agency and trades to upgrade immediate needs. Or so seems the plan. And rarely does a management and coaching staff come up on the other side of a rebuild.

Mark Schweihs: If Patrick Williams was just now completing his freshman year and entering the NBA draft would he be in the Top Four?

Sam: Maybe if he were a starter in college. This is obviously the big season for Williams. And though I doubt the Bulls intended it that way, or that he’s got competition from draft pick Dalen Terry, who especially with his weight under 200 pounds is a guard for now, Terry’s verve and enthusiasm is a contrast to Williams’ languid ways.

I don’t expect the free agency/trade priorities to target Williams. I expect him to be the starting power forward next season. But your third season even with his stops and starts with injuries generally is considered a young player’s make-of-break season because he’s then eligible for an extension. I think it’s safe to say we know he’s not Kawhi Leonard. So enough of that one. But he still projects through the glimpses as a starting-level NBA maybe, maybe, they hope, they hope two-way player, which the Bulls dearly need. In this draft as a young, collegiate player Williams looks around the end of the top 10 since he—and the draft—still spell potential. But having a player like Terry around might help because Terry looks like what Williams hasn’t been, all energy and excitement and enthusiasm and attack and dunk and attack and dunk. I think that’s what Marc Eversley was suggesting in his post-draft comments about “needing that in our building.” Maybe some rubs off on Williams, who then makes the Bulls smile about paying him.

Len Artick: The latest rumor is P.J. Tucker?

Sam: Sounds like he’s destined for the 76ers or a Miami return. You’d have interest in a tough veteran as the Bulls need a bit more of that toughness gene, but the starting lineup and three/four, DeRozan, Patrick Williams seems set, and Tucker’s certainly not going where he at least doesn’t have a strong chance to start.

Mike Shea: Marquette’s Justin Lewis has agreed to a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls, according to sources?

Sam: Who may or may not know? He was mostly projected in the middle and high second round before the draft and seems a lot like the guy the Bulls drafted, Terry, about 6-6, 6-7 with a huge wingspan, athletic, a decent shooter but not established, able to switch on defense as a wing player. If it’s true you’re seeing the Bulls for the future dipping their toe in the modern NBA lake of positionless, all-switch defenders and potential two-way players who shoot only layups and threes.&nbsp;

Mike Sutera: The Pistons won the draft. (Jaden) Ivey and (Jalen) Duren what a draft.

Sam: Which is another warning sign for the Bulls. Watch out from behind. The Pistons have been brutal for several years also blowing draft picks, but they look like they hit this time. Hey, I had a draft board, too. These two kids were in the top three or four in my draft. I’d have had both top five, which also fills needs for the Pistons with a big man and super athlete. And they landed cap room with the Jerami Grant deal, so it’s not such easy division wins anymore. Same with the Cavs, who get back or can deal high scorer Collin Sexton and got Agbaji in the draft as a ready-to-play shooter. While watching the Bucks you also may have to check the rear-view mirror.

Ateeq Ahmed: Another guard? I trust AK but I thought they were going with a big. Maybe that’s being explored through free agency? Some of our target bigs were taken before 18.&nbsp;

Sam: They were, I assume, until he wasn’t there. I agree about passing on Walker Kessler. He looked too slow to me even for half court play. I saw a Cole Aldrich comparison that sounded right, and right what they didn’t need.

I believe they can address the defensive size issue in free agency with their cap exception. The Ayton/Gobert/Nurkic guys are likely out of their price range. There’s been talk about Mitchell Robinson, which is possible. Maybe someone like Isaiah Hartenstein. Mo Bamba, though restricted? Andre Drummond? JaVale McGee? Thomas Bryant? Dwight Howard? Could the Warriors afford to bring back Kevon Looney with their tax bill? It seems like there are reasonably priced guys to fill a role.

Art Alenik: We are overloaded on guards and we needed shooting &amp; size.&nbsp; I assume they don’t plan to carry 7 guards, so they’ll probably trade Coby (who is a better 3-pt threat than Terry). I’m sorry, but this makes absolutely no sense to me.&nbsp; I’ll have to wait &amp; see if I’m missing something here. I hope Terry is a useful player.

Sam: It’s an interesting point about Coby and shooting, and though Ayo is such a local fan favorite, as a second-round pick he comes up sooner for an extension. It seems like someone is going to be odd man out, if only for the rotation.

Coby in my mail has been the most likely target, but I’d certainly like to see him after having a summer to finally get back in shape and gain some strength after starting the season late with no offseason because of shoulder surgery. Despite the view of a down season and toggling between the bench and starting and playing and not so much, when he did get in a regular role in 29 games leading up to the All-Star break with 14 starts he averaged 16.8 points, shot 44 percent on threes and 88 percent on free throws with almost a three to one assist/turnover ratio. The Bulls were 19-10 in that stretch. He’s been more durable than Ball and more productive on offense than Dosunmu and Caruso. Sure, he doesn’t defend like they have, but it’s perhaps not such an easy choice.

Pete Zievers: Is Westbrook to Charlotte realistic?&nbsp; From CHA perspective, it's useful to have that much salary coming off the books, I suppose.&nbsp;I don't get the impression that Westbrook personally is a bad guy, but his game is pretty toxic, particularly at this point.&nbsp;Does CHA really want Westbrook?&nbsp;

Wade worked pretty good with LBJ b/c he was able to pick his spots.&nbsp; Westbrook doesn't know how to play like that.&nbsp;Whole thing was doomed from the start. LBJ likes spot up shooters.&nbsp; Hayward would make sense there.&nbsp; I think LA has another run in them if they can figure out how to keep Davis healthy and get some workable roster pieces.

Sam: &nbsp;We’ve been a Lakers-free zone for awhile, but it can never last too long. I haven’t heard the Westbrook rumors lately, and we all assume he picks up his $47 million option for next season. The Lakers say they’ll be all in of he does (please, please don’t), which means they’re ready to deal. The Hornets have been looking to offload Hayward, and he does have one more year than Westbrook (though less money so who knows if they can match), so the Lakers could be interested depending on whether Hayward is healthy enough to pass a physical. After all, many NBA trades are the guy I hate the most now for the guy you hate the most now.&nbsp;

Andrew Janoff: I think the Bulls could benefit from trading Vucevic for a more defensive-minded big who could better protect the paint and slow down Giannis/Embiid. To the Hawks for Capela? In a 3-team trade for Myles Turner? I know the Bulls value Vooch, but there is enough scoring in DeRozan and LaVine.

Sam: With one year left on his deal, my sense is the Bulls intend to ride it out with Vucevic and see what happens this season (he was more effective with Lonzo Ball) and provide him support in free agency. And then if things go well perhaps a short extension.

Dwayne Corry: I really hate the new 3-point analytics. I was hoping this Bulls team last year would smash that but injuries derailed the thought. I think the only way to save the NBA is to move the 3-point back, expand the width of the court, and/ or raise the hoop.

Sam: Moving the three-point line back seems the most reasonable response since it would also further open the court. I understand everyone is now gearing their games to the line, but it was awful (to me, at least) in the conference finals watching some matchups where teams would go three or four minutes just arc to arc shooting threes. Bor-ing! The court obviously needs to be widened as it was laid out for people with much shorter arms and legs who moved much more slowly, but no way the league is giving up those courtside seat prices. I know, they’ll still be courtside, but then you lose too much lower bowl. The basket is like your third bowl of porridge, just right.

Brian Tucker: Interesting how Liddell has slipped to the 2nd.&nbsp;Maybe we can buy a pick?&nbsp;

Sam: He seemed more ready to play and is going to be interesting to watch. The Bulls guy Terry said he’s taking names of the 17 ahead of him for the draft redo in five years. Liddell has a long list at 41. The consensus mock draft was for the Illinois Mr. Basketball from Ohio State for the Bulls at No. 18. He had a private draft party going and the crowd booed when the Bulls passed. Same for when Milwaukee took MarJon Beauchamp at 24. Liddell sure looked like an NBA fit at 6-6 and 245. Shorter arms than Terry, but then there’s the measure of that heart thing. Guys in his profile have fallen in previous drafts, like Paul Millsap and Draymond Green and later been All-Stars because they don’t fit the athletic, flying wing, high ceiling model. He finally went to the Pelicans at No. 41. Remember, Ayo was No. 38. I’m interested to see if NBA execs have to explain that one in a few years. The NBA obviously also doesn’t think much of the Big 10.

Ruben Imperial: Just wondering why the readers’ participation in your column is gone.&nbsp;The conversations are wholesome and&nbsp;do add color to the column though it may not have the Sam Smith journalistic aptitude. We are even considering a chatroom column for the fans if only we know to whom we can address this.&nbsp;Can Sam advise?

Sam: Write your congressperson. And especially Adam Silver. I didn’t know until I began writing for the Bulls website, but while the team provides the content, the league is in control of all the team web sites. The league embarked on an update for all the teams, and the Bulls’ came last week and the league eliminated the fan comment sessions. Big mistake, and bad idea. Especially because the NBA likes to pride itself on not only being fan friendly but hands on with the fan experience. And it’s not like the comment section is some whacked out complain session like you see in some places. Or I’m told exists since I’m still making some changes with my whiteout on my carbon paper copies before sending this. I’ve noticed the commentators on my stories generally have an informed and respectful conversation about the team and game. They don’t always agree with me or the team, but that’s the point, to encourage discussion about the &nbsp;game.

The NBA always has been the best league about that and has understood best the old crafty political advice about not caring much about what they say about me as long as they spell my name right. As long as they were talking NBA. Now the NBA looks like it’s pursuing censorship. This is not on the Bulls, who I know have appealed for the fan comment sections to remain. Let the NBA know.

ask-sam-mailbag

Ask Sam mailbag: Dalen Terry impressions, post-Draft thoughts, and more

I’ll tell you a secret about the NBA Draft, which this year is Thursday. Those of us who have been around are not supposed to say. So don’t tell anyone. Move a little closer.

They have very little idea what they are doing.

Not that it should be a big surprise. How is anyone supposed to project what a teenager or just-turned-20 with a still developing body—and certainly mind—is supposed to be while playing against adult men, say, five years from now. The truth is no one really can, though fans and especially media prefer their default position to excuse all their personal misjudgments. You know, it’s their job, they’re supposed to know. Not me.&nbsp;

So this is what all the scouts do, and you probably can’t blame them. They travel around all winter watching players, watch tapes, and then compare views. And then they make those one-to-10 lists and—shush, wink wink—share them. How else can you explain all these mock drafts basically being in the same order? How is it possible that so many people from so many different backgrounds and so many different races, religions and cultures can come up with basically the same numerical lists based on analysis of immature kids playing sports?

Heck, one of these kids who everyone has in the top 10 hasn’t even played basketball in more than a year.

The practice reminds me of a scene from my favorite comedy, Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, in which the lazy Gov played by Brooks gets word of chaos in a town and declares to his staff something much be done: “Gentlemen, we’ve got to protect our phony, baloney jobs.”

Just kidding, guys. Hey, it’s a comedy. But it is unrealistic that all these teams can basically come up with virtually the identical order with a player or two moved up or down. Look, all those media people aren’t out scouting. They’re asking team officials, who are telling them at least what they heard about the other guy.&nbsp;

One of the problems, though, is it’s on TV. The TV guys also have basically that same list, and you don’t want to be the executive who picks some kid No. 7 while the TV guys had him No. 41 on their list. You know, like Nikola Jokic.

Redo the order five years or so later when these kids are coming into their primes and we all can see how inexact is this “science.”

Let’s look at a few drafts where the players now should be in the primes of their careers:

2013. None of the top nine guys selected is an NBA starter today. The best players were selected at Nos. 15 and 27.

2014: Basically half the top 10 picks are either out of the NBA or barely hanging on. Joel Embiid was No. 3 and Julius Randle No. 7. But Zach LaVine was No. 13 and Jokic was No 41.

2015: Karl-Anthony Towns took awhile, but is worthy of No. 1. The next best player was Devin Booker at No. 13. Seven of the top 10 are either out of the league or journeymen role players.

2016: It was a credible top three with Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram and Jalen Brown. Pascal Siakam at No. 27 is as accomplished as any. Again, five of the top 10 are out of the NBA or barely hanging on.

2017: Jayson Tatum was No. 3, but the other All-Stars were taken at Nos. 13, 14 and 22. Six of the top 10 are out of the league or have been traded at least once.&nbsp;

I’m not saying I could do better since it’s so difficult to project. Football makes them stay in school and seriously compete awhile. Baseball makes them do so in remote places for several years. The NBA wants to know why they’re not ready to be stars by the time they hit 20.

It seems like 6-10 forward Jabari Smith from Auburn will be the No. 1 pick to the Orlando Magic. That’s reasonable. He looks like a guy who will walk into the NBA and score immediately. He could be a star at 20. There’s the usual Kevin Durant comparisons, but there’s no one like him. Maybe a version of Rashard Lewis, who made a few All-Star teams and averaged 20 points in a seven-year stretch. I’d take that at No. 1. You just can’t miss there.

I don’t see it for everyone’s No. 2 and No. 3 guys, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero.&nbsp;

Maybe if Holmgren still is OK in five years. He’s certainly skilled and seems intelligent. But I can’t see that 190-pound body holding up or having much impact. Banchero doesn’t seem athletic enough to me. He looks like a guy who will handle college kids much better than pros. He should be OK, though not much more.

I haven’t seen all those guys projected in the lottery except in highlights, and you know in those they shoot 100 percent and make every great pass. The guys who to me stand out the most are 6-4 Jaden Ivey of Purdue and 6-11 Jalen Duren of Memphis.

Ivey looks like what an NBA player is supposed to look like. He’s a guy who’s going to do spectacular things running all over the court like Russell Westbrook. Duren is 18 and a man. He’s huge, athletic, strong. I know centers are passe’, but it’s nice to have one if you have to play Embiid or Jokic or Gobert or Jarrett Allen. There’s still a bunch around. And guys will have second thoughts trying to dunk on your guys.

Otherwise, I’m as interested as you to see just what everyone does Thursday—except Orland—offering some version of Jerry Krause’s famous, “We can’t believe he fell to us.”

So with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, the...

Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith Jr., 6-10 forward, Auburn.

He seems like the safest pick for them and an interesting tandem with last year’s Franz Wagner. Holmgren often has been mentioned as a possible No. 1 because of his skill with his unusual size. But they probably can’t afford any talk of Mo Bamba 2.0.

2.&nbsp;Oklahoma City Thunder. Chet Holmgren, 7-1 center, Gonzaga.

As they also have 190-pound seven footer Aleksej Pokuševski this may be the most unusual NBA team we ever have seen, and if bowling pins is the de rigueur Holloween costume they win.

3. Houston Rockets. Paolo Banchero, 6-10 forward,&nbsp;Duke.

He’s the consensus third guy in the top three tier, so they have to take him. It probably doesn’t matter much who they take as they seem to be just putting together a bunch of guys running around shooting a lot of shots. They have a few other firsts so wait, wait, wait..and watch.

4. Sacramento Kings. Jaden Ivey, 6-4 guard,&nbsp;Purdue.

It’s a relief that the Kings are about to again be the Kings. We need something to count on in the NBA. Hey, we just drafted a guard in Davion Mitchell, so we can’t take him. You know, the better guy. The Kings predictably seem oblivious that about a half dozen teams are trying to trade with them. Wonder why? GM Monte McNair may think everyone is just is happy he got the job and wants to congratulate him. So the latest conventional wisdom is they’ll move the pick to trade down to get someone like Iowa forward Keegan Murray. The Knicks, of course, are interested and offering all the guys no one wants.

5. Detroit Pistons: Bennedict Mathurin, 6-6 wing, Arizona.

He’s who sounds like the modern NBA, and pretty much describes most of the guys in the top 20, athletic, shot maker, defender, or two of three with varying levels of production. He seems like a favorite of most after the top three/four.

6. Indiana Pacers. Keegan Murray, 6-8 forward, Iowa.

Another modern NBA prototype, wing, shooter (we all love saying wing instead of forward; sounds analytical). Suddenly everyone is looking to find the next Andrew Wiggins, who was the second best player in the NBA Finals. Not sure the betting apps ever had odds on anyone writing that one.

7. Portland Trailblazers. Jalen Duren, 6-11 center, Memphis.

I’ll put him here, though none of the mock drafts do. The Portland deal seems all about retaining Damian Lillard, and they basically don’t have any picks left with the Bulls getting their next non lottery one, and another off to the Pistons for the trade for Jerami Grant the week. That seems to suggest they’ll try to trade this pick for another veteran. But if they keep it Duren makes sense even that young. Jusuf Nurkic is a free agent, probably too risky with injuries and not much defensively, where the ‘blazers have been bad.

8. New Orleans Pelicans. Dyson Daniels, 6-7 wing, G League Ignite.

None of those G-league guys seem like they can shoot, but they’re athletic guys, some of whom seem like they’ll be able to defend and definitely run the court. The Pelicans, like the Thunder, have most of the rest of the first round draft picks this decade. So who knows what they’ll do with all these guys. Stack up those wings and see what happens. At worst, a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise.

9. San Antonio Spurs. Shaedon Sharpe, 6-6 forward, Kentucky.

This guy may be my favorite in the lottery as a John Wall protege. Though Wall played at Kentucky for awhile. He just talked about it and no one really has seen him play in more than a year. Maybe the Rockets will draft him and let him stay home with Wall. The Spurs have been taking high ceiling risks in the draft, and he’s supposedly a talent. Not that anyone has seen him to know that.

10. Washington Wizards. A.J Griffin, 6-6 forward, Duke.

This is another team being run by its main player for now to get him to stay, Bradley Beal. The player model instead of create a Big Three now seems to be sign long term, as Beal likely will, and then in a year or two decide if you’re happy or not. So they’ll probably try to trade the pick. But if they keep it they can use perimeter shooting to space for Beal and Griffin’s one of the best in this draft. They also need a point guard, but none are rated highly.

11. New York Knicks. Ochai Agbaji, 6-5 wing,&nbsp;Kansas.

They want to trade up, but only local media values their players. Or trade out. If they keep the pick and Thibs gets any say, he makes some sense with shot making ability and defense. Not a flashy guy, but solid and reliable and elderly by draft standards at 22, so more ready to help now. And Thibs’ job is on the line.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers). Ousmane Dieng, 6-9 forward, New Zealand Breakers.

Sounds a bit like last year’s lottery breakout for them, Josh Giddey. Dieng is another high ceiling, we’ve got time big, skinny ball handler with promise. Seemingly with everyone on the roster 6-9 or above they sure will be able to switch.

13. Charlotte Hornets. Mark Williams, 7-0 center, Duke.

He’s the heart breaker for Bulls fans. Or at least me. He’s just the long, defensive interior player the Bulls could use. Charlotte, too, without much inside as well. They also have No.15 and supposedly will put one of the picks in play. Of course, if they hire Mike D’Antoni after Kenny Atkinson backed out they may not need anyone over 6-8.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers. Jeremy Sochan, 6-9 forward, Baylor.

They have the size up front and can use the defense outside. He’s regarded as one of the best all around defenders who could move Lauri Markkanen to sixth man, where he probably fits best and be a secondary ballhandler in transition for a developing young team. And still with a move they could make with Collin Sexton.

15. Charlotte Hornets (from Pelicans). Johnny Davis, 6-5 wing, Wisconsin.

He’d be a reason to hold onto the pick if he were to be here. He’s a highly regarded scorer who also can be a playmaker to support LaMelo Ball and keep that high scoring team mentality.&nbsp;

16. Atlanta Hawks. Tari Eason, 6-8 forward,&nbsp;LSU.

They fell into that trap of believing they were the 2020 conference finals team instead of who they are. So changes are afoot. Presumably especially with a brutally poor defense. If they were to retain the pick, he’d fit as a potentially top defender and someone who can run the court with Trae Young.

17. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn). Jalen Williams, 6-6 wing, Santa Clara.

He’s the late riser in the class, a mid major guy who does a little bit of a bunch of things as they sort things out for their 2029 playoff run.

18. Bulls. E.J. Liddell, 6-7 forward, Ohio State.

He’s long been the guy most likely to fall who won’t fail. It seems like the Bulls are going to rebuild their bench, and the intangible that might be most important is toughness. He’s a physical guy, undersized as it goes but 6-7. He was the guy who took on the toughest opponent no matter the size. That’s been too much for Patrick Williams. He may not have the high ceiling, but might be able to put someone through a wall. Good enough tradeoff.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves. TyTy Washington Jr., 6-3 guard, Kentucky.

They’ve talked about moving the pick as well as D’Angelo Russell. It’s not a big draft for point guards, and he’s believed to be the best just in case they need one. Though Anthony Edwards will take the ball, thank you.

20. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto). Dalen Terry, 6-7 wing, Arizona.

He’s another player who supposedly has moved up, though how he’s done it always is curious since basically all these guys do is have dinner with team executives. May have known which fork to use. In any case, the Spurs seem mostly to be accumulating talent and he’ll defend, which Popovich prefers.

21. Denver Nuggets. MarJon Beauchamp, 6-6 wing, G League Ignite.

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