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Sam Smith

Richard Meagher: What to make of Dalen Terry? Bulls picked him at No. 18, last summer, Is he a player that the Bulls can build around? The limited time I saw him I&nbsp;liked what I saw of him. Your take?

Sam: He needs work. Maybe he’ll get it. I heard he’s headed for DeMar DeRozan’s summer boot camp later this month, and will play for the Bulls Summer League team in July. A player can vastly improve in the offseason; the truth is that’s when they do. In-season development is somewhat overrated since teams rarely practice because they prefer to rest the veterans. So guys who aren’t playing often are working out mostly against assistant coaches. Terry never got a chance to really play this season, which I understood since there wasn’t much room for him given the limited rotation and the day to day urgency for at least getting to the play-in round without Lonzo Ball. Unlike, say, Miami, the Bulls regulars didn’t miss games. So there wasn’t as much opportunity. Terry was exceptionally raw even for a two-and-done. His shot by NBA standards was poor, he didn’t handle the ball well enough and didn’t show an ability to run offense. I saw a lot of hustle, but not enough NBA skill yet. That said, he was angry about not playing, which I liked, and which could motivate him to really work at his weaknesses. He seems to have good instincts, hustle and reflexes. If he can just add some reliable shooting, he could find a spot in the rotation with uncertainty regarding players like Derrick Jones Jr. and Javonte Green. This summer will be huge for Terry.

Brian Tucker: After last year’s offseason of stability, I almost forgot how wild offseason rumors can be.&nbsp;They’ve started! And especially since the Bulls have limited cap space, no draft picks, and no desire to rebuild… creative solutions are definitely needed to re-design this team.

I am enjoying all the ideas and rumors swirling about because there’s no way AKME should run it back again even though I can see that scenario playing out too.Favorite nostalgia move: Sign Rose, as he’s most certainly not going to have his team option picked up by the Knicks. &nbsp;

Favorite underachieving star for star trade: Zach for KAT.&nbsp;I actually think this helps both teams from a roster construction point of view. For the Bulls, this allows a Vooch sign and trade and a different direction at center.&nbsp;Also, DeMar moves to shooting guard and Pat can move to the wing.

Favorite for draft: Zach to Portland for #3.&nbsp;This also could be my favorite for basketball because seeing two gifted scorers like Dame and Zach together would be a treat for fans. A Jerami Grant sign and trade makes sense for Portland, but maybe they’d rather keep him and a trade the combination of Simons/Nurkić, as their salaries match Zach’s.&nbsp;I’m not sure I’d want a long-term deal for Grant anyway.&nbsp;Either way, the draft pick would have to hit big because none of those guys are near the player Zach is.

Another fun star trade I haven’t seen yet, but surely it’s just a matter of time would be a deal for Anthony Davis.&nbsp;Maybe DeMar and Vooch?&nbsp;Davis seems to be getting scapegoated a bit for his cold shooting against the Nuggets.&nbsp;Lakers drama is real this offseason.&nbsp;D’Angelo Russell is the other scapegoat, but that doesn’t excite me.

Sam: Sounds more likely for discussion than destiny. I’ve been among many to suggest adding Rose. We know he sat much of last season, but the indications I get are that he has plenty left. And certainly he is rested. He never caused a problem, suggesting he’d fit off the bench or in a limited role. He still knows how to run an offense and score; he may not play in the air, but he still can beat most anyone off the dribble. The Bulls have had numerous chances to engage the Knicks and Rose and haven’t. I doubt that changes. Back to where it all happened for Zach? I do believe Towns will be traded. They gave too much for Gobert to give him up for not much, and it’s been obvious he and Towns are a bad fit. Minnesota really needs a playmaker, but already has a high scoring two guard in Edwards. So, that doesn’t work. It does seem the Bulls really want to retain Vučević. Probably for some of the same reasons that like Minnesota with Gobert the Bulls invested substantially in Vučević. I actually believe DeRozan and Vučević, both as close to iron men as the NBA has these days, would be better for the Lakers than the inconsistent and oft-injured, if more talented, Davis. My guess is the Lakers will retain Davis. And they say they want to keep most of the role players. We’ll see if they really match big offers. I still believe there will be Bulls change; just can’t figure out what.

Bambi Choy: Caleb Martin has quickly&nbsp;developed&nbsp;during this year's playoffs into not just a role player but a legit starter. Undoubtedly his stock has risen and he'll be untouchable. AKME should think of a clever way to snatch the next best thing from the Hornets, his twin Cody Martin. I remember watching them play in 2018 when Nevada lost to Loyola in Sweet 16. They not only look identical, they're built and play identical. So while Cody remains an insignificant piece in Charlotte, get him before someone else does.

Sam: And Caleb was the other guy, a free agent while Cody was a second round draft pick. Though this is a Miami strength we frankly haven’t seen with many other teams, the remarkable number of undrafted players who have become high level contributors. I’ll admit I didn’t see much from either Martin when Caleb was in Charlotte. Now he’ll have to “suffer” with his $6.8 million for next season before he can opt out. Better keep making shots, which he wasn’t so much doing this season until the playoffs. Cody’s been a poor shooter much of his time with the Hornets, and this season never was able to return after knee surgery. That’s a bad sentence around the Bulls, so I doubt they look in that direction. Though maybe someone strikes gold with him.

Trevor Hoffler: With the vengeful return of parity and the most interesting playoffs in a long time, it has me wondering about how history will look back on the Superteam Era. While I won't deny all the player movement did create a certain level of excitement around basketball to the point that the off-season became more interesting than the regular season, I can already see where that era will be referred to with sort of an asterisk. Yes, LeBron has an impressive amount of finals runs but how many of them after his first Cleveland stint were as impressive as what Jimmy is doing right now? It just doesn't feel the same watching a collective of hall of famers throttle inferior competition over and over instead of getting to the mountain top through sheer force of will and determination. Golden State is obviously not immune to this criticism despite that team mostly being an organic phenomenon. I just can't see where we look back in 50 years and hold the accomplishments of that era to the same level. I know the Celtics pretty much invented the Superteam and history doesn't much mention that much outside of giving Aurbach his flowers, but at least back then every team wasn't trying to do it... i just think it feels cheap by comparison.

Sam: You may be a bit premature here. To quote Bluto Blutarsky, “Nothing is over until we decide it is.” It’s a bit more diluted these days with the stars doing more of the take the money and run stuff because of the huge salaries available when you resign with your own team. But enough of them will continue to be sad and want to be traded that teams will continue to try to recreate those big threes. Phoenix with Durant did, but Chris Paul is looking more ready to collect his pension than rings. The Nets obviously tried, but Kyrie ruins those things. Someone will try to add Lillard. The NBA is trying to limit these combinations with increased luxury tax rules that penalize the high salaries. So it will be harder to do, but teams will continue to figure out ways. What the Miami/LeBron partnership thing did was kick off the era of player empowerment, and that's not changing by the looks of the way the league is heading. As much as you’d like an asterisk for LeBron, nah, he gets to count those two Miami championships. Just not the promised seven.

Brodie Larsh: I think there's a trade to be made by giving DeMar what he wants and sending him to the Lakers. Maybe we could even rope Lonzo into the deal...&nbsp;Demar and Lonzo to the Lakers for Beasley, Vanderbilt, Bamba and D'Angelo (resigned around 15 mil/yr) works financially. It doesn't sound like theres much of a market for Russell after his benching in the playoffs. Bulls add youth, depth, athleticism, and 3pt shooting. Lakers add more win-now talent and scoring, and hopefully get Lonzo back for the post-LeBron Era (or will just have 1 year left after next season), or could use his salary for matching purposes at the deadline.

Sam: The Bulls certainly value DeRozan for his play and his effect with the young players. If there’s a team leader, he’s the one. Though I’d have to consider something like that given the likelihood that Patrick Williams is better at the wing position and the chance to add more defense to support Caruso. Ball likely is untradeable, and I wouldn’t be interested in Russell just as the Lakers seem not to be. He's not really a point guard, but an undersized two. DeRozan is going into his last season and as great as he’s been you also don’t want to lose him for nothing after next season.

John Leichenko: How do the Bulls get Jaylen Brown?

Sam: I’m not a fan of Brown, which likely doesn’t matter much. Certainly not to him. Not because of his disappointing playoffs this season; he did have some big games in last year’s series. And, yes, unlike the Bulls he got there. So that matters. There’s been a deluge of Brown trade speculation since the Celtics Game 7 loss. GM Brad Stevens then came out and said they want him back, but that doesn’t mean much when it may cost $300 million. I’d like one of those sporty Porsche cars. But as it starts at $275,000, I’ll probably look elsewhere. I mentioned a Detroit possibility last week that makes some sense with No. 5, Jalen Duren and maybe someone like Bogdanović. The Hawks, I presume with Trae Young, have been speculated along with the Trailblazers with that No. 3 pick, and some teams with multiple future picks like the Thunder (Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren and a pick?), Pelicans and Rockets. I see Brown more as a star-lite volume shooter who doesn’t shoot or handle the ball as well as, say, Zach LaVine. So I’m not interested if I’m the Bulls. Boston did get to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, so it’s not a failure of a season.&nbsp;Brown puts up good numbers and would give a young team some credibility. But he does tend to miss at least 15 games a season. The real reason the Celtics could do something is by making All-NBA, Brown is punching above his weight and entitled to a supermax deal maybe close to $300 million going into his last contract season. Tatum is the better player who they have to extend after two more seasons. No way with the new labor agreement you figure they can commit more than $600 million to those two guys. Teams always need a star player, so someone probably will pay him. It seems like the Celtics have too many other needs to do so.

Michael Murden: When I see a late foul call on a shot I assume what’s happening is that the referee is waiting to see if the shot goes in or not.&nbsp;If the refs always waited there would never be three-point plays, but sometimes the refs do award an and-1 when a players scores and is fouled.&nbsp;How do they decide when to award the free throw and when not?&nbsp;It seems to me that especially late in games calling or not calling the and-1 can be used to manipulate point spreads.&nbsp;Given how the league now has business relationships with gambling web sites does the league need to be more transparent about that aspect of officiating?

Sam: It seems to me the NBA is the most transparent in sports with officiating given their last two-minute reports and the media accessibility to officials after games on any controversial call. But I can see how people might think what you suggest given the expanding relationships with gambling. I don’t like it, but it’s so pervasive in society now with all the gambling apps and the ease of gambling that every league involved with it. We just have to assume they all are doing their due diligence. I don't believe officials are manipulating the spreads. With the way Tim Donaghy has been blackballed from the sport and society, it has to be a frightening object lesson for NBA officials. Yes, there always will be temptations too big to resist. But that’s whether there are gambling apps or not. I believe the officials are trying to judge the flow of the game, though it is judgmental and thus left open for interpretation. I’m confident the NBA stays on top of this as well as they can and I choose to believe the games are honest. Except, you know, when the calls go against your team.

Tim Flynn: I’ll tell you the PG who would be ideal for the Bulls right now, especially for the money — but I don’t see how they could get him since he is the only PG on their team — is Monte Morris. He is the ultimate unselfish team player who has an unworldly career ATO of 5/1, 5.3/1 last year, 48% and 39% on FGs and 3s and a tough defender as well. As much as I hope Coby has a breakout year coming up, I’d trade him for Morris straight up if that deal could be possible. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sam: I’m not as enamored of Morris as you are since I didn’t see a lot of impact last season with the Wizards, but that may be because he was with the Wizards. He’s got a year left at about $10 million, and change is coming for the Wizards with new management, so you never know. He’s smallish, but he is intriguing to some extent given as you note he’s a good shooter and can run a team. He’s maybe not the Lonzo Ball-type answer, but he is that Tyus Jones-type that many say could help the Bulls at point guard. Though Coby White made a nice leap last season. Perhaps something to consider.

Alexa Andrews: I'm a longtime Bulls fan and wanted to start my question off by commending LaVine for his efforts in making this team as great as possible. I agree with one user who gave him his flowers despite the gut-wrenching play-in loss. But, I'm also curious to know your take on the recent trade rumours circulating LaVine. KC Johnson recently mentioned how [LaVine] is "tired" of being in trade talks, and while I don't blame him (because it can be rather taxing) do you think there's a possibility the Bulls could build around him?

Sam: I don’t see why not because while I hear all this about he’s not a number one — very few are — he fits the precise modern profile of the kind of star you need these days who can shoot, is athletic and can get to the basket for free throws. I believe LaVine can do the things Tatum does; certainly Jaylen Brown. More than Bradley Beal, Jamal Murray (I’ve suggested playing more through Vučević like Denver does with Jokić), and even the way LeBron is a lesser contributor these days. Zach can have a lot of impact. The complication the Bulls seem to be facing is the positions in this so called position less NBA. Billy Donovan likes to play a smallish team, and many teams do that. But Patrick Williams seems to be making it clear he will produce best at the so called wing position, where DeRozan plays. DeMar’s not going to be a sixth man, and Patrick shouldn’t be. I don’t think you can face another season getting away with four guards as the Bulls often did the end of last season. It’s why I’m interested to see what decisions the Bulls make this summer.&nbsp;

Leonard Spale: I have heard no one asking why Brad Stevens didn’t step back into the head coaching position for the Celtics at least on an interim basis for one year instead of rolling out a young unproven name like Mazzulla who really couldn’t command much respect from a veteran group of players some older than him. With a proven team and high aspirations it doesn’t seem out of the question that he would retake the reigns given the untenable circumstances which transpired. Do you have any thoughts or insights on why this didn’t take place or even if it was considered a possibility?

Sam: Easier job, pays the same, less pressure, more job security. For starters. True, ownership, I suppose, could have demanded it. But Stevens never exactly was the inspiring leader type, and there does seem some sort of disconnect with that team. You hear about internal issues, which always are vague, which also is why I’ve always figured they would retain Mazzulla and moreso maybe make some roster changes. Fire (some of) the players. Look, they were fortunate to get by the 76ers, too. Tatum had to have an all-world game and a half. That group seems more like it’s stepping back than forward and needs some change.

Sofia Martinez: Seems like all the teams who are eliminated from the playoffs all have fanbases that have rightfully express their dissatisfaction with a certain player or two (or maybe even the coaching staff, the team as a whole) similar to the Bulls franchise. I was rooting for the Celtics as a Bulls fan and was sad to see Jayson go down the way he did. At the same time, though, I was disappointed that his other teammates (aside from Derrick White) didn't seem to "carry the team" like they should have. Celtics fans have also accused JT and Jaylen Brown of "letting the entire city of Boston down" according to a video from ESPN, similar to how Bulls fans have accused LaVine of letting Chicago down with that play-in game. What do you think the Bulls and other teams could learn from this year's playoffs?

Sam: That Brown and LaVine didn’t let their teams down (at least what I learned). Sometimes you just miss some shots, though that’s been the Celtics’ Achilles heel and why many of us thought they were vulnerable. They seem to believe they have so many good shooters that they just need to keep shooting those threes. Wrong. Bad idea. That’s something to learn. It’s true the NBA basically has become the team that makes the most threes wins the game; so you have to have shooting because most teams will just continue to shoot. But you also have to realize at some point if you’re missing it may not be your night and to try something else. On the positive side, I fear what many teams believe they have learned is maybe they are not that far away in a league with historic parity. Hey, if Miami can be in the Finals…Don’t be fooled. They looked like they dumped most of the regular season with their best players sitting out dozens of games with “injuries.” None of which required surgery, conveniently. And now none of whom have missed any playoff games all of a sudden. I thought the best team in the East was Milwaukee, and I still do. Their management agreed with me, I assume, since they fired the coach two years after winning the title. Better organized, that playoff meltdown should not happen again. If I were the Bulls, that’s the team I’d aim for more than Miami. But what the Heat showed everyone is not to discount them. Ever. Overall, I don't believe players learn from others' defeats; only their own.

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-dalen-terrys-growth-big-name-trade-ideas-and-more

Ask Sam Mailbag: Dalen Terry's growth, big name trade ideas and more

Ashley Marie: I’ve noticed the fanbase — including myself (and rightfully so) — were heartbroken during the team’s Play-In loss to Miami. I’ve also noticed the comparisons between Zach LaVine and Jimmy Butler, which I find a bit unfair. I agree that Jimmy was a great addition to the Bulls and admire his success with Miami Heat, but I want to give Zach his flowers, too. He’s one of my favorite players and he put the Bulls on his back during the Raptors game. He’s achieved so much with this franchise beforehand. I can tell he adores the city, the organization and the fans that come with it. I hope he stays with us for years to come.

Sam: I hope so, also. Zach, as I've discussed before, has an unusually ambivalent relationship with the Chicago sports community that despite his talent and acknowledgements — multiple-time All-Star and Slam Dunk winner while being among the league leaders in scoring and shooting — fans always seem to find a reason to diminish what he means to the team. Miami’s success in the playoffs again has fostered a comparison as if it’s just Jimmy Butler or Zach; even if LaVine was the main part of the Butler trade. It’s true that if not for Zach’s performance against Toronto, there would have been no Bulls game in Miami. Zach did have a poor shooting game in the loss to Miami. But he didn’t also have a Max Strus making seven threes. Jimmy and Bam in that game were a combined 12-for-36. Which isn’t so much the point; make or miss league and all that. Zach is the closest player the Bulls have to what the NBA is today, shooting, athleticism, positional size and the ability to make plays off the dribble and draw fouls. Often people don’t appreciate what they have until it’s gone. Zach has averaged 25.1 points on just under 40% shooting while rarely missing games the last five years. Good luck replacing that in today’s NBA.

Rocky Rosado: I have a couple of trade proposals to jump start the bulls rebuild:

Trade one: (Draft Day trade) DeMar DeRozan to Lakers for Mo Bamba, Malik Beasley , #17 pick

Trade Two: Bulls trade Zach LaVine, Andre Drummond, Derrick Jones Jr, Portland's '24 1st round pick to Portland for PG/SG Anfernee Simons, #3 pick, #23 pick via NYK

Trade Three:Alex Caruso, Lonzo Ball, Derrick Jones Jr, Heavily Protected future 1R pick to Charlotte for Gordon Hayward, Kai Jones, #27 pick

Sam: I don’t see that much there I care for. As we’ve discussed, DeMar won’t push for it, but he’s made it clear where he’d like to continue his career. That first one is a lot of spare parts, though I am intrigued my Beasley. He fell out of their playoff rotation, but he can make threes. Supposedly the Lakers will pick up a team option, but I’d be interested if I were the Bulls if the Lakers don’t or maybe in trade. Portland’s No. 3 remains the apple of the Bulls fan’s eye, and there was a report the other day (I’m skeptical) the Hornets are enamored with Brandon Miller because Scoot Henderson shot poorly the last part of his season. Drummond has a player option so he can’t be traded and Portland gave up a first round pick just so the Bulls would take Jones Jr. Not enough there for them giving up Simons. Players get their own rooms on the road, though I guess Charlotte could save money if Lonzo offers a bunk bed with LaMelo. But a perpetually injured Gordon Hayward doesn’t lead much anywhere. I’m still open for suggestions. Hopefully, the Bulls are, also.

Kurt Payne: Everybody seems preoccupied with making changes to the top of the roster. To me, several factors drive the trade winds. Teams that thought they were capable not making the playoffs, new GM, new head coach, teams not going as far as they thought they should in the playoffs, disgruntled super stars, a roster that got another year older without getting any better. And most of them cross over. But let's hold off on that until many of those categories expand a little more after the Finals and closer to the draft. What I want to look at is the end of the Bulls bench, past the first two rows of the depth chart. Since the Bulls have no draft picks, yet until the 7 big trades, so where are they going to get some reserves? Could the 13-15 spots on the roster be guys who are just as good as 2nd round picks? Carlik Jones as the 3rd PG. MVP of even the G League is something. In the 4-5 minutes he played at the end of the year he looked like he belonged on the floor. Terry Taylor got some NBA experience with the Pacers, at the end of the year in nothing minutes what I saw was a guy who knew how to find his way to get in position for a rebound. Didn't get them all but seemed to understand where to get to. A PF waiting for a door to open. Justin Lewis was injured almost all year, would the Bulls be keeping him around if they didn't think he could play when healthy? Could he shoot his way onto the floor based on practice? I like the idea of having some youth and potential down at the end of the bench instead of some Dragić, Marko, space holders.

Sam: I’ve also been a fan of Carlik Jones because he fits the profile of an actual NBA point guard, someone who can shoot off the dribble, play pick-and-roll and run an offense. Size, it seems, is the concern. The larger issue could be the way teams are built and whom they choose. Jones probably should have played late in the season when Dosunmu was struggling. But the Bulls invested in Dosunmu with a draft pick and not Jones. What generally happens is teams have a stake in some players succeeding more than others because they either drafted them or are paying them more. So they get more opportunity; and opportunity, as we know in life, is the base for success. Perhaps that’s what Miami’s success will help change. They play so many undrafted players that it may open the eyes of some teams to give those players more of a chance. Of course, the other big issue is not everyone can play and coaches tend not to much use the last four or five guys on the roster. So it is difficult for some of these players to show what they have, which the G League is for. Carlik has shown there. The Bulls let Max Strus go after his ACL injury, so maybe Lewis makes a nice return from his major injury. Credit to the Bulls for giving him another look with a two-way deal. You do need to balance your roster with some youth. But coaches often tend not to trust them as much as the veterans. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s not necessarily going to affect the balance of power.

Mitch Metz: Is everyone going back to Houston for one more payday? I saw this: Patrick Beverley asked if he really thinks James Harden is going to back to Houston & is there any chance of you reuniting with him back in Houston? He said there’s a very high chance of both going back.

Sam: It sounds a bit like it could be a negotiating ploy, and we’ve seen comments about Beverley’s idea of his worth. I doubt it matches what the Bulls believe. But you can’t blame Beverley on what could be his last NBA contract. Players need to maximize economically. I assume the Bulls would like to have him back, but as a reserve, and reserves don’t make that much. It sounds like he’s still chasing some starter money.

Mike Sutera: With the Lakers loss there was a report one option for Los Angeles is to trade for high-profile point guard to team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. One player the team has had internal discussion about is Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks. Young is set to make $40 million next season. In what world do do the Lakers have assets to trade for Trae Young? Other then AD they have nothing remotely interesting to offer teams and have no picks besides one this upcoming draft.

Sam: Sounds like LeBron the GM at work. He’s a smart guy, but it never seems he understands the salary cap and team payroll ramifications. But I can’t blame him since it’s always about right now. Especially at 38 (no, he’s not retiring, but it is a good tack to deflect attention). After his Westbrook-inspired mess when he pushed for Westbrook until it didn’t work and then explained he’s not involved in personnel, he backed off and the Lakers made some terrific midseason moves. But now you get the sense he’s back on the job with all the rumors about Kyrie Irving to LA. LeBron apparently still believes in the Big Three concept. If Dallas won’t give Irving big money for multiple years — and you’d have to wonder why they would — then it could be possible in LA; if also on a short deal. Maybe year to year with LeBron. The Hawks are expected to be an active team this summer given another unsatisfying season. But they’d need a haul to move on from the popular Young. The Lakers roster is filled with free agents (only James, Davis and Max Christie are guaranteed for next season). So between that and national TV sports network programming mostly built around WWLD (What Will LeBron Do), there’s plenty of possibilities to come.

Ateeq Ahmed: Can’t believe the Lakers were swept. I thought they would play well enough to get one game. Denver is on a mission. Credit to them for building through the draft. I think their only notable acquisition was Gordon, via trade. Jokić, Murray and Porter Jr. were all drafted. They filled the roster with solid role players like Caldwell Pope and vets like Jeff Green. I know we can’t count Miami out but this Nuggets team looks legit. 

Sam: I feel like Denver is a popular choice, especially with Jokić because he’s so much fun to watch with his skill and toughness combination and entertaining to listen to. It also seems to be a team that doesn’t complain on every call and isn’t acting like seals and flopping all over the place. There’s a lot to like in their game; though Miami post-LeBron isn’t much for complaining, either. Butler is very unusual among stars for accepting the game as it comes. The games with the Lakers were all close despite the sweep; though it still counts as a sweep. The Nuggets also also a great example of how luck and good fortune tend to transcend a plan and preparation. Jokić obviously makes everything go for them. He famously was a second round pick at No. 41. But the best proof of them having no idea was they had two first round picks that year (they were the Bulls 16 and 19 in the Doug McDermott draft). And Denver used one for a center in Nurkić, whom they initially had splitting time and starts with Jokić. To their credit, they figured it out and added a group that fit with Jokić (though almost everyone does the way he plays). The NBA made it extremely difficult for the ABA teams allowed in from the merger. The Spurs with good fortune landing David Robinson and then Tim Duncan are the only one among the four to have won a title. Denver's a good story.

Guy Danilowitz: Watching Jokić best LeBron reminded me of 1991 Jordan over Magic - passing of the torch between two greats at different positions? 

Sam: I didn’t see it that way as great as Jokić is and that he’ll be the MVP leader to begin next season. But Jokić never will be the face of the NBA because he lacks the video game elements that has merged with the NBA marketing over the years, featuring dunking and three-point shooting and spectacular plays off the dribble. It’s often breathtaking to see what Jokić does with his passing, his positioning and innate intelligence about the game. I guess it could change some after these playoffs. But his jersey was not top 10 in sales this season and he’s not among the two dozen or so NBA players who have their own signature sneaker. Though from what I’ve seen during my trips to Europe, I can see Jokić having a signature sandal with socks.

Samantha Kay: Watching the playoffs this year has made me think of what Giannis said about failure. His analogy between aiming for success and Michael Jordan's diligence resonated with me as I thought about the Bulls this season. Even though our season came to a disappointing end, I don't see it as a failure and am hopeful for a successful 2023-24 run.

Sam: I also didn’t really see the Bulls season as a failure since it was sort of a knife’s edge to where they’d be and what they could do without Lonzo Ball. I suspected once he said in training camp he couldn’t climb stairs that his season was lost. But the team belief at the time was he’d be able to play by All-Star break. So the team felt obligated to give him a chance, and you have to accept that. Given that, the Bulls probably were lined up as a play-in team, and then they won a rare play-in road game and barely lost another. So coming off a 46-win season that was below .500 after Ball was hurt, it was difficult to expect much more than they achieved. And they did make the close of the season exciting. But I believe they understand that isn’t enough. Which is why given what they now know about Lonzo I can see some significant changes. I’d push back on the Bucks and Giannis, meanwhile, because all they talked about was being a championship team. And then with an elite MVP candidate (who did miss a few playoff games) to lose like they did in the first round and at home, and especially with big late game meltdowns, made it a failure for them. Management obviously agreed by firing the coach.

Brodie Larsh: I think Vučević signing with another team outright is a nightmare scenario that the Bulls really couldn’t recover from before next season. I feel the two biggest threats with enough cap space to "steal" him away are Orlando and San Antonio. Houston with Harden... maybe, but I think they like Şengün. Obvious ties to Orlando and has stated he'd love to play there again someday. They seem like they may be at the point to bring in a good veteran and make a playoff run (i.e. Zach LaVine to the Magic rumors circulating). As good as WCJ is, Vooch would start and WCJ would be the primary back up big for him and Paolo. San Antonio has ton of cap space and could few him as the perfect mentor for Wemby. Their games can co-exist on the floor as Wemby does a lot on the perimeter. 

Sam: I wouldn’t worry about the Spurs. With Wembanyama they’ll just have to open the doors to create excitement with everyone just wanting to see him. They don’t need to play for anything next season but another high draft pick. I’d also be concerned about Orlando. I think Vučević still has a home there. Of course, most of these guys have several. I believe the Bulls really want to retain Vučević. But as good as Wendell Carter Jr. has been, he’s not a center. And as you note Vučević loved Orlando and they have the ability to get cap room. Orlando seemed anxious to move him a few years ago. But they have solidified since and seem in good position to make a playoff push now. They probably could use a veteran. There figure to be some centers on the market; Minnesota has two and Towns has been rumored with the Knicks for awhile. But the Magic have two lottery picks, and that should draw interest. Maybe someone like Nurkić? It will be something to watch. I still like the idea of the Bulls playing through Vučević, which would make him more valuable to the Bulls. Play through him like Denver does with Jokić and surround him with shooters, which the Bulls do have in LaVine, White and Williams. And then maybe the Bulls need one catch-and-shoot guy instead of two. How the Bulls play could also determine Vučević's future interest.

Art Alenik: Scoot Henderson has a distinctive “D-Rose look” to him. He’s fast & strong and he loves to dunk. He has a nice touch in the midrange and around the hoop. His 3-pt. % with Ignite wasn’t so great, but his form looks good, so I think he’ll develop decent 3-pt. range. He’s a score-first guy, but his court vision seems pretty good as well. I loved his interviews. He says he’s NBA-ready despite his youth and sees himself as a team leader and a defensive asset. In temperament, he’s the polar opposite of Patrick Williams. He may or may not be Rookie of the Year (I think he will be.), but he’ll never disappear on the court. So the question is, ‘Is there anything the Bulls can do to get this guy?’  What would we have to pay Charlotte to draft him for us? Or if Charlotte is set on Miller, what would Portland want for their #3 pick? I would consider anyone but Zach (who they will both ask for first). In the end, I doubt we can get him. But I’d definitely make a few calls.

Sam: I suspect that’s both the plan and the eventual disappointment.

Bruce Roberts: I am a 76-year-old long-time Bulls fan and want to express my appreciation for Artūras’ approach to team building. He has a tough job in the super competitive world of the NBA. I believe we are close to being a contender. Lonzo Ball’s injury really hurt us. I am a physician and am pessimistic Ball will be able to play NBA level basketball again. I would love to be proven wrong but a careful look at the outcome data for knee cartridge replacement is not promising. Artūras picked a player in Ball with the perfect skill set to make us a legitimate contender only to be undermined by a bad knee. I am hoping an incremental improvement in our defense, particularly at the end of games, will gets us to be more competitive. I love our big three and am pleased with Patrick Williams' progress. There is opportunity for us to improve if Artūras can pull off the right moves. I recommend you for the Bulls President of Basketball Operations. Artūras seems like a good second choice.

Sam: I like the way you think. I do believe I can tutor him appropriately having been around more championship teams. That said, as good as he did in the construction of a team with a chance to do something in 2021, that was a surprise with not too much pressure given where the Bulls were and how welcome his group’s presence was. Now there’s pressure, especially with, as you note, the pessimism surrounding Ball. It’s a big summer for the franchise because, as Miami and even the Lakers have shown, there’s so much parity now in the NBA that you don’t have to dream very hard to envision yourself at least in the conference finals. A lot of teams are basically saying the same thing. The team building moves, which Denver has done well, could be the fulcrum for the balance of power next season. The super team era is over depending on what Wembanyama becomes. The opportunity seems to be there.

Josh Redman: What LeBron did with this bad Lakers team is one of his greatest career achievements. An almost 40-point triple-double in the western conference finals elimination game should remove any doubt that LeBron is one of the top 5 players of all time and I’d argue the 2nd greatest behind only MJ. Davis’ poor showing and inability to limit Jokić solidifies that his inclusion in the top 75 is a joke. Will be interesting to see what the Lakers do with Russell after essentially benching him. They definitely found a gem in Reaves. Hopefully Bulls can find such a contributor with an undrafted free agent after the draft. 

Sam: It would seem like the Lakers will move on from Russell after he was benched in the conference finals. He is a point guard and I cannot imagine his market will be very big, but I’d probably pass if I were the Bulls. I did joke that at last what the Lakers’ sweep meant was we could postpone the GOAT debate for another season. LeBron was exceptional, but no surprise you could see him wear down at the end of some of those games some, especially avoiding playing much defense. Losing confidence in Davis? Trade? Back home to Chicago for Zach and DeMar? Nah. Davis probably was overrated for that poll because he’s not by nature an aggressive person/player. But I expect him to remain with the Lakers. It looks like one more year there for LeBron if they can’t make a run to the Finals. Maybe because LeBron must have promised someone on the Bulls he was coming in 2010 because they were so sure he’ll want to finish in Chicago. Hey, Michael finished in Washington. The Bulls figure to have room for Bronny. Finally uniting Rose and LeBron, if very late in their careers? C’mon, you never say never in the NBA.

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Ask Sam Mailbag: New trade proposals, Nikola Jokić's dominant playoff run and more

Mike Sutera: NBACentral on Twitter: "There could be ‘significant’ changes for the Bulls this summer, per @SamSmithHoops. 'I was at the Draft Combine this week and heard from an insider that he believes the Bulls are done with this Big Three.'” True?

Sam: Oh that; let me explain. Yes, I believe there could be change in the Bulls core given, you know, the team missed the playoffs and Vučević is an unrestricted free agent and so the Bulls don’t have control. But I’m doing this bonus Ask Sam because this seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to rant a bit and show how the country is so much worse because of the internet and Twitter and without newspapers. Yes, it’s newspaper for me and not culture wars (that’s bad; but this is not Fox News or MSNBC).

Let me posit that getting your news from Twitter is stupid for two reasons: doing so and the information you receive making you less intelligent. This above was an answer to a reader’s question in which I used humor and irony; OK, I thought I was. It seemed obvious to me since the very next sentence after the one about the insider was, “I did hear it from him outside, so there could be a credibility issue given that.” You know, an insider speaking outside. C’mon, that’s funny! Then I wrote, “Sources who may or may not know agreed.” C’mon, a little funny? But clearly—it seemed to me—I was mocking all those breathless reports about what teams are doing, which at this time of the offseason are ridiculous because no one knows what they even can do. Including them.

Assume Denver wins the title—though none of us is going against Miami anymore—and then Jokić refuses to wear cowboy boots and a drive a pickup. Of course, they’d have to trade him and you could get a star. A little funny (maybe east of the Rockies)? But the point is teams’ views will change drastically in the weeks ahead. Sarcasm? What’s that? It’s also why it’s so dangerous to be a comedian these days. They just tweet the setup to the joke. For emphasis I added the sources were both “informed and uninformed.” So the only part the criminal aggregator used was the set up for the joke. Ever wonder what happened to the kid who never had his homework and always was asking for yours and looking at your test all the time? They’re doing those aggregations on the internet which mostly seem like plagiarism to me. Some people use your work to sell their sites. It’s the definition of plagiarism, it would seem. It’s also your fault if you rely on them for information.

This is my rule: If you can’t be fired (held accountable) for what you write, then I don’t trust or believe it. If you work for any reputable media organization and make something up, not only are you fired, but you never get to work again in the industry. So then you become an aggregator. Also, if I thought this was news wouldn’t I have put it on Twitter? Well, no, I don’t use it. But I would have written a story. Instead, it was in the middle of a mailbag answer preceding three jokes; at least one of which was funny? C’mon, one? Are the Bulls moving on from the Big Three? The only thing I’m sure of is they have no idea. No one else does. Though I will say Bulls fans writing me really do want that No. 3 pick from Portland.

John Stuercke: How about these two: We trade LaVine to Portland for #3 and another #1 pick, Scoot will be a star. We trade DeMar and Drummond for Claxton and a #1, sign Vuc as PF.

Sam: Charlotte has No. 2 and could take Henderson since LaMelo has been hurt a lot, and as the Bulls know, you can’t have too many point guards. Plus, you’d have to match salary and that would probably mean a Jerami Grant sign and trade and Portland’s then not getting an awful lot more. Drummond has a player option, so he can’t be traded. And, obviously, with the trades of Irving and Durant the Nets are back to a youth movement and less about contending immediately. Now, I’d say if you want Ben Simmons…Well, he is a point guard. Not too long ago you’d have wished he were running your team. Taking  a chance now?

Martin Skelly: A lot of fan chat in your (May 19) mailbag was with offering Zach & Caruso for the Blazers No. 3 pick which you seemed to imply wouldn't be sufficient. Could the Bulls play hardball and threaten to do a deal with the Hornets to lower the asking price a bit? If the general consensus is that Henderson is the prize to get and the Hornets don't need another PG why not bypass the Blazers all together? Throwing in Lonzo into a deal with the Hornets might make them interested. But wonder if there is also a multi deal to be had? Say like trade Zach to Orlando for the 6 and 11 picks which the guys on Cash Considerations mentioned. Then offer DeMar and those picks to the Hornets for the number 3 pick (and whatever else was required to get the pick)? We could then follow the Heat's example of having role players supporting a star player. Then still having Caruso on the bench and possibly even poaching Reaves from the Lakers as well? More minutes for White and a more important role for Williams could really help their development.

Sam: Like I said, the fans really want that draft pick. Like I also said, I now can’t see Charlotte passing on Scoot. Initially, I went Miller because of LaMelo. But if you are Charlotte you have to be concerned about the injuries. And the game often is played now with multiple players who can make plays off the dribble. If they believe he’s better than Miller they take him. And Miller still may have that college incident coming back in a civil matter or some such thing; you never know. I do think the Orlando Nos. 6 and 11 are in play. But I do believe Karnišovas when he emphatically said there was no rebuild coming. Not that they think with Miami on the way to the Finals they were a few minutes away from being them. At least I hope not. I do believe there will be changes, but not to strip it down for draft picks.

Mike Queen: If the Celtics get eliminated you break up the Tatum/Brown duo? I see them trading Brown for a haul before he hits FA. They are not paying this duo 500 total. To Detroit for #5 and Duren. Detroit gets a bona-fide star to go with Cade and Jaden while Boston gets an interior defender they so crave and they draft the best available PG at 5.

Sam: I’d generally say you have to be patient and not overreact to losing; after all, it’s the conference finals. But Boston did just get by the 76ers with Tatum bailing them out, and Brown has hinted all season about maybe leaving as a free agent after next season. Like baseball’s Branch Rickey once said, better to trade a player a year too soon than a year too late. It’s the mistake many franchises make. Detroit is bummed about that draft and I’m guessing anxious to do something. So I can see something like that. We all believed Boston would win this series, but we also had doubts they way they continue to shoot so many threes and stay outside shooting them no matter how many miss. They could use more balance and interior defense. Horford ain’t playing forever. So that does make some sense. And Detroit is in a much better position to meet Brown’s request for a huge max deal, which would be problematic having Tatum. 

Lex Grey: Very proud to see Jimmy Butler grow in to the player he is today.  Watching him and the Heat brings back memories of 90s basketball. They’re a tough, fearless, and gutsy bunch. They’re a team that has an identity, good chemistry, and everyone knows their role on the team. It’s a joy to watch. 

Sam: Everyone’s got to credit he and them now as much as we all doubted Miami coming this far. After all, they get into the play-in and get blown out at home by Atlanta. Does that sound like on the way to the Finals? But it is a valid point about Jimmy and his growth. I know a franchise never gets over the working backward second guessing of the media and some fans. But this Jimmy wasn’t that Jimmy. Jimmy had some great seasons with the Bulls. But also some awful playoffs. Like being married for a fourth time, you begin to understand it better (or so I’ve heard). This is Jimmy’s fourth team and a perfect fit. The only thing I don’t like about what Miami appears to have done is quit on the regular season. I’m not there so I don’t know what really happened. But Jimmy missed 18 games, Lowry missed 27, Herro missed 15, Vincent 14. Nobody seemed to need surgery. Now they’re all playing every game 25 to 40 minutes a game. And as you note, really really hard. The Lakers to an extent, also. The Celtics took the regular season seriously and look at that. Now, Denver did also, so there’s some hope. But you fear too many teams next season will look at Miami and figure in this era you just need to get to 10 and then begin to take it seriously.

Michael Worth: Saw this trade for Ayton. Does it make sense? The Suns need depth. I can see them getting Tim Hardaway Jr., JaVale [McGee] back, Josh Green and No. 10.

Sam: Oh yeah, JaVale McGee. Whatever happen to him? There’s usually Christian Wood in all these things, but the Suns have to now treat Ayton less as a former No. 1 overall pick than what a deal can mean for them now. They certainly need depth after the Durant trade, but they also need a point guard. New ownership probably makes it easier to note it was their mistake.

Valentin Dimitrov: I have a request/suggestion for you to relay my message to Karnišovas. Would you please ask him to go for my countryman Aleksandar Vezenkov (27y, 6-9, 225lb). He just lost the Euroleage title with his Olympiacos against Real Madrid, being the best player in the game. He is very good behind the arc (almost 40% shooter), over 80% from free throws and the cherry of the pie is over 60% for 2! Other than the 3 point shooting, he has terrific dribble penetration and lethal mid range shooting. I suppose he could play 3 and 4, perhaps 5 against smaller opponents. His rebounding is probably average. He has a great character and will be a terrific fit with Chicago, coming from a basketball family, from when Bulgaria had a great teaching system. In general, my view is that he is better, stronger and more complete player than Kukoč. Certainly better than Mirotic. Drawbacks? Perhaps his defense could be better, but he is certainly better at it than Dončić.

Sam: Better than Kukoč? Nah, I don’t believe so. He seems like he could be a possibility. One of John Paxson’s best additions was going overseas to get an older Andrés Nocioni. I don’t believe Karnišovas reads this feature. Maybe you should drop him a note to the Bulls.

Kyle McGill: I have an idea on what the Bulls should do with the Blazers. Trade Caruso + 2 future first round picks top ten protected along with giving the Blazers back their lottery protected pick for their 2023 3rd overall pick. Now the Blazers have control of all their draft picks plus two Bulls picks to trade for a superstar. The Bulls now can draft Scoot Henderson or if he’s chosen by the Hornets first, they can trade that number 3 pick to the Hornets for LaMelo Ball. Then, trade DeRozan and Drummond to Phoenix for Ayton. After that, do a sign and trade of Vučević to the Nets for Finney-Smith and Patty Mills. Chicago Bulls new starting five: G Ball, G LaVine, F Finney-Smith, F Williams, C Ayton and G White as your sixth man off the bench 

Sam: That seems simple; not (yup, just watched Wayne’s World again). The Bulls don’t have much to offer on first still owing one in 2025 to the Spurs from the DeRozan trade. Which is another reason I agree with management this is not the time to go into the hole and use picks to try to dig out. We’d all love to have Henderson because of the apparent desperate need for a point guard. But I still can’t fathom the scenario that unlocks him from Charlotte or Portland. The possibility has been speculated many times about maybe Portland gives up it’s No. 23 this year from the Knicks to unlock the provisions that limit them still owing the Bulls a first round pick from the Markkanen/Derrick Jones Jr. transaction. Another reason why it’s premature to say the Bulls have made any roster judgments since they don’t know yet about what Portland may offer, if anything. I’m not expecting they give up the New York pick.

Mitch Burrow: What about this? Blazers get LaMelo, Bridges sign and trade.Hornets get Simons and #3. End up with Scoot and Brandon and Simons. Nice rebuild for the Hornets? 

Sam: LaMelo’s probably off the board for everyone until we see if he’s gotten through the multiple ankle issues and can play for a regular stretch. Not much has been mentioned about it, but the reports were the franchise is for sale. So that may freeze anything they consider doing to wait for new ownership/management?

Brodie Larsh: DeMar once again publicly stated he wants to play in LA. How about DeMar to the Clippers for Eric Gordon, Bones Hyland, the Bucks 1st round pick this year and the Clippers 1st round pick in 2027. Doesn't seem that great on the surface, but i'm not sure we get much more from DeRozen who only has 1 year left on his contract. Bulls might take a step back, but the Clippers would be a very tough team and would benefit from DeRozen's durability as much as his scoring.  Also heard if the Bulls pull the trigger on a DeRozen for Ayton trade, I'd look for a sign and trade deal with the Mavs of Christian Wood for Vooch. I'm hoping Vooch comes back and feel he's been under utilized and immensely under appreciated, but him and Ayton can't share the floor.

Sam: Agree that Billy didn’t seem to like the Vučević and Drummond combination, so I’d doubt it trends in that direction with Ayton. Karnišovas and Vučević both talked about resigning with the Bulls, so for now I accept that. Though I still would not be surprised about significant changes given the previous season and Ball’s status. Should I emphasize here I don’t know? I heard about DeRozan’s comments with Paul George on a podcast, but it wasn’t clear to me if that was recent or when DeMar was a free agent. DeMar has made it clear he’d never ask for a trade or give less than his all to where he is. And that he loves the Bulls. But he has been pretty open even when he was signing with the Bulls that he’d like to finish his career back home in LA. Would a significant contract extension change that? Should the Bulls look into one for DeMar? That’s another big question facing this offseason that I doubt has been decided yet (you notice I am trying to make clear I have not contacted sources).

I also wanted to emphasize that this feature is a conversation with fans. It’s not intended to break news; neither am I these days. Just to make you think. You know; by skipping Twitter.

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Bonus Ask Sam Mailbag: More Bulls trade scenarios and Sam's message to the Twitter aggregators

What if the NBA and the players association hadn’t agreed in 2006 to require players to be at least 19 years old or one year removed from their high school class graduation to be eligible for the NBA Draft, the so called one-and-done rule? For the previous decade, players were permitted to come directly from high school to the NBA, which Bulls fans know well from the 2001 draft of Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler.

If high school seniors in 2006 could have gone directly to the NBA, the top two picks would have been Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. They eventually would be first and second in the 2007 draft.&nbsp;

Such are the vagaries of sports and despite the best laid plans of team executives and mice, it’s often more the luck of the lottery draw that determines the success of an organization, especially in the NBA. Because more than any team sport, the NBA is most impacted by the presence of one transcendent player.

This year that’s supposed to be 7-foot-5 French teenager Victor Wembanyama, whom the Bulls have a 1.8% chance of being in position to draft. They’ll know 7 p.m. Tuesday when the NBA Draft Lottery is televised by ESPN from Chicago.

The Bulls gained entry to the annual Draft Lottery because they missed the playoffs, drawing the 11th position. It’s odds are 1.8% for the No. 1 pick and about 8.5% to get into the top four. If the Bulls do not cash in that good fortune with a top-four pick, the selection goes to the Orlando Magic to conclude the Nikola Vučević trade in March, 2021.

It’s the narrow margin for the way most great teams are created in the NBA.

The Bulls have both had their share of luck and misfortune in these lotteries.

The best, of course, was 2008. When it seemed there was little chance they’d be a lottery team.

The Bulls’ arc seemed bending toward excellence the previous season in 2006-07 when the Bulls became the first team in 50 years to sweep the defending champions in the first round of the playoffs when they beat Miami with Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade. Then it mysteriously all fell apart and the Bulls missed the playoffs in the 2007-08 season, losing 16 more games than the previous season.

And then had the third greatest leap in the lottery era to No. 1 and the right to draft Derrick Rose.

The second largest lottery largesse for the Bulls was in 2020 when they moved up three spots from No. 7 to No. 4 and selected Patrick Williams.

Twice the Bulls dropped three spots in the lottery, in 2019 when they fell from No. 4 to No. 7 and selected Coby White, and in 2001 when they fell to No. 4 and took Eddy Curry.

But it was the disappointments and frustration from the lottery that most wrecked the post-2017 rebuilding.

In 2018, the Bulls had the identical 27-55 record as the Sacramento Kings. The league conducted a pre-lottery coin flip for an extra lottery ball to break the tie. The Bulls won a pyrrhic victory to move to No. 6 in that lottery. Then in the lottery drawing, the Kings at No. 7 moved up to No. 2. Which was where they could have selected from among Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young, who all have been All-Stars. The Kings selected Marvin Bagley, which cost GM Vlade Divac his job. The Bulls, I’m sure, wouldn’t have selected Bagley. They supposedly would have taken Jackson or Young. The Bulls at No. 7 got Wendell Carter Jr. and he eventually was traded to Orlando in the Vučević deal.

Then in 2019, the Bulls dropped three spots in the lottery drawing from No. 4 to No. 7, where they selected Coby White. White has improved lately, but at No. 4 the Bulls had a chance to select Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland. The teams that year who got the No. 1 and No. 2 picks, who became Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, were New Orleans and Memphis, which each leap frogged the Bulls from Nos. 8 and 9 in the drawing.

Which is the fate of the so called blow-it-up option in the NBA.

The Bulls by just staying in their spot based on their regular season record could have had a roster with Defensive Player of the Year Jackson, All-Star point guard Garland, and Zach LaVine from the Jimmy Butler trade. Then maybe there’s less pressure on Lauri Markannen to develop quickly and he remains with the team. It is often about so many what ifs in the NBA.

The second biggest bump upward the Bulls got was in 1999 when they moved from No. 3 to No. 1 and drafted Elton Brand, who did become an All-Star after the Bulls ill-fated plan to unite Curry with Tyson Chandler, the latter whom the Bulls traded for in 2001.

That 2001 draft was the real catalyst for the one-and-done rule with four high schoolers in the top eight. And though Chandler did eventually become an All-Star, it was long after his flameout with the Bulls. The 2001 draft was then general manager Jerry Krause’s big gamble that failed.

Krause was astute in building the champion Bulls through the draft, especially in 1987 when he selected Horace Grant and traded for the rights to Scottie Pippen. Krause was determined to try again, though without someone like Michael Jordan it was going to be much more difficult. And after all, both Grant and Pippen were four-year college players.

Krause stripped down the roster and the Bulls in the 2000-01 season had the worst record in the league. But they fell four spots in the lottery to No. 4. The Clippers moved up six spots to No. 2. So Krause saw what he believed was the opportunity to build with basically a dual giant formula of seven footers Curry and Chandler. The Bulls traded Brand for the No. 2 pick and used it to select Chandler. The experiment failed and Krause was replaced by John Paxson. Pau Gasol was the No. 3 pick in that draft between Chandler and Curry.

Though the 2000 draft probably was Krause’s undoing when he used six draft picks the Bulls had accumulated in what was one of the poorer drafts in NBA history. That draft produced three All-Stars, but just one from the lottery and none were in more than one All-Star game. The Bulls fell two spots in the lottery to No. 4 and selected Marcus Fizer. But they did make one clever swap with Cleveland with their No. 8 pick to get the rights to draft Jamal Crawford, who was selected No. 7.

In the 1989 lottery with an acquired pick from a trade with the Bulls making the playoffs 14 consecutive seasons, the Bulls dropped one spot and selected Stacey King at No. 6. That draft also had a paucity of stars with the best players outside the lottery, Tim Hardaway at No. 14 and Shawn Kemp at No. 17.

But also consider this: The Bulls never should have been able to draft Michael Jordan.

And not because the Portland Trailblazers selected Sam Bowie at No. 2 in the 1984 draft ahead of the Bulls at No. 3.

Portland was a regular playoff team in that era while the Indiana Pacers were not. The NBA had starved the four teams coming into the league in 1976-77 from the ABA, which included the Pacers. Indiana passed on Indiana State’s Larry Bird in the 1978 draft because they doubted they had the money to pay him and he’d return to the draft.

Then in 1981, in an era when the Pacers needed gate receipts just to survive — the salary cap was created in 1983 to help save a half dozen teams from folding including the Pacers — Indiana lost center James Edwards as a free agent. Needing a center to remain competitive and sell tickets before the TV contract era, the Pacers traded their No. 1 pick in 1984 to Portland for center Tom Owens.

So Indiana should have had the No. 2 selection in the 1984 draft. And then having centers Steve Stipanovich, Herb Williams and former Bull Granville Waiters, Indiana certainly would have selected the shooting guard regarded then as the second best player in the 1984 draft.

So Tuesday is a big day in the NBA. Though it may take a few years to realize for whom.

a-deep-dive-into-the-bulls-nba-draft-lottery-history

A deep dive into the Bulls NBA Draft Lottery history

The Bulls 2023-24 season begins Tuesday with the NBA Draft Lottery conducted at McCormick Place.

It could become the highlight of the Bulls season if the lottery balls bounce the right way and the Bulls get one of the top-four selections in this draft that features potentially historic French big man Victor Wembanyama as the expected No. 1 pick. 

Though the odds are against a Bulls win.&nbsp;

The Orlando Magic has the rights to the Bulls 2023 draft pick, currently ranked No. 11 in the draft, from the 2021 Nikola Vučević trade. It involved Wendell Carter Jr. and two No. 1 picks, the first being the 2021 selection Orlando used for Franz Wagner. The transaction is complete once the Magic exercises the 2023 pick. If that pick comes up in the top-four in this lottery, the Bulls retain the selection for this year and the Magic would be entitled to the Bulls pick top-three protected pick in 2024. If the Bulls miss the playoffs in 2024 and move up in that lottery also, then Orlando just gets two second round picks to conclude the deal. 

So it’s most likely the Magic gets the 2023 Bulls draft pick this year.

There is for the Bulls, who in the draft lottery after winning a one-ball tiebreaker over Oklahoma City have a 1.8 percent chance next week to get the No. 1 pick—it was 1.7 percent when the Bulls rang the bell to skip to No. 1 for Derrick Rose—and an 8.5 percent chance to delay the delivery of the pick to Orlando and land in this year’s top four. Which could prove restorative for the Bulls franchise, as well, with two players, Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller, regarded by many NBA executives as future All-Stars.

Here’s a look at the projected top-four prospects for next month’s NBA draft and how they might fit and look in a Bulls jersey.

No. 1: Victor Wembanyama, 7-5, 220, France, Center.

He’s the reason why we’ll be watching the NBA next October. Eventually it will be for other reasons when the real players decide to begin playing. But the excitement for the start of the 2022-24 season will be this French phenom. Or, at least, we hope he will be. The scouting projection is the NBA never has seen anything like him, a man seven and a half feet tall who plays like a six-foot guard who can shoot, pass and dribble like the best at each position. And defend like few have with that size and coordination. Generational talent has been thrown around often, but since the NHL Blackhawks last week won their lottery rights for such a guy the word police have put that off limits here for the NBA Lottery. Wembanyama is the third most anticipated for sure NBA No. 1 pick in the last 20 years. The other two? Uh oh, Greg Oden and Zion Williamson. So it’s never a sure thing. You worry about guys that size, many of whom have had leg and foot injuries. Wembanyama seems like a high-level Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 pick last year who suffered an—oh oh—foot injury and missed his rookie season. But you have to take Wembanyama first if you get the chance. Just like everyone had to with Oden and Zion. Even if some believed Kevin Durant or Ja Morant would be better as they came to be. Your fan base will never let you live it down if you don’t. 

If the Bulls get No. 1, they are taking Wembanyama. The projected Nos. 2 and 3 selections are highly ranked, but really no debate compared to Wembanyama. So what if the Bulls get the lottery luck? Though variously listed anywhere between 7-2 and 7-5, Wembanyama probably is an NBA power forward for this era. Which would fit the Bulls well since that’s their secondary need after a point guard. Winning the lottery for Wembanyama shouldn’t mean a complete dismantling of the roster for draft picks and young players. Wembanyama would fit ideally next to Nikola Vučević with Wembanyama playing a defensive center for rim protection and more on the perimeter on offense with his shooting range and handle. Then Patrick Williams moves to small forward for what could be one of the better front lines in the league for its defense and offensive versatility. Wembanyama might even be the best French center in franchise history. Which means something when you also had Joakim Noah.

No. 2. Scoot Henderson, 6-3, 195, G-League, Point Guard.

This is almost a tossup selection for most of the league, and even if the Bulls landed No. 2 because the Bulls’ primary needs are a point guard and a power forward. Assuming, of course, there are no major changes in the roster core and Patrick Williams moves to wing/small forward. Which is kind of a major change, but it’s difficult to see how the Bulls franchise can move forward relegating Williams to a bench role. The other guy for this spot is Alabama power forward, Brandon Miller. He is the ideal positional size player for this era at power forward, an athletic 6-9 player who can shoot from long range and defend his position. There was a legal issue and an injury late in the season that moderated his production. But no one in the NBA seems concerned it would outweigh his potential production and possible star turn.

But Henderson should be the choice for the Bulls if they were to get No. 2 in the Draft Lottery because, as we’ve seen, how difficult it is to find a dynamic point guard. And how much of a difference it makes to have one since the Bulls best play was in 2010-12 with Derrick Rose. And then not again until 2021 with Lonzo Ball. Henderson at 19 years old isn’t ready to take over a veteran team that has designs on competing in the Eastern Conference, like the Bulls do. But no teenager does. Remember, LeBron James’ teams didn’t make the playoffs his first two seasons. And Henderson is no LeBron. Which also is good to remember about Wembanyama. He isn’t getting into the playoffs as a rookie, either. Unless a team toward the bottom of the lottery moves up to get him. Henderson seems more like a scoring point guard for now in the Rose mold. He had his breakout game earlier this season scoring 28 points to lead his team against Wembanyama’s team. Remember, the Bulls had .500 records in Rose’s first two seasons. And when he said he could be the MVP we all rolled our eyes. Keep an eye on this guy.

No. 3. Brandon Miller, Alabama, 6-9, 200, Power Forward.

He had a controversial close to the season with a report he had handled a gun involved in a fatal shooting, charges that were denied and Miller then was cleared to play. He had a groin injury and a poor close to the season in the NCAA tournament. But he remains a valuable NBA prospect with seemingly no concerns among teams about involvement in the case.

Miller’s abilities fit the profile for the modern NBA power forward who can shoot threes and has the size to defend inside and outside with defensive switches. Miller shot 38 percent on threes despite a poor close to the season after the controversy emerged. He was almost 42 percent before that and averaging more than eight rebounds. For the Bulls, he’d be an ideal fit with Patrick Williams at small forward and Nikola Vučević at center with Williams and Miller being elite three-point shooters who could both help space the court and defend with excellent size to complement a versatile center like Vučević. A player like Miller would give the Bulls one of the biggest, most athletic front courts. And then with a big guard who also shoots 40 percent on threes like Zach LaVine and perhaps another 40 percent three-point shooter in Coby White, the Bulls shooting profile could vastly change for the better.

No. 4. Gradey Dick, Kansas, 6-8, 205, Small Forward.

Not that it would be bad to get No. 4, but for the Bulls this season would be like the 2020 draft of having No. 4 in what is generally regarded as a three (potentially great) player draft. Though we know from the history of the draft, the teams and scouts never get this right. And when you redo drafts five years later, it’s never the same top five. That 2020 draft did produce All-Stars at Nos. 1 and 3, but the third All-Star was at No. 12, Tyrese Haliburton. So when you’re out of the no brainier category, you both need to be smarter and do what’s best for your team.

The consensus among the draftniks at No. 4 this year is to select one of the twin brothers athletes from Overtime Elite, the separate professional league for 16 to 20 year olds who skip the rest of traditional schools. Amen Thompson, an athletic 6-7 wing player, is generally regarded as the likely No. 4 pick. His twin, Ausar, comes slightly behind, both impressive wing scorers. Though neither is a good shooter. While the Bulls positional weaknesses are power forward and point guard, the main need is shooting. There’s an NBA view of a so called position less game that would fit having a Thompson. But players still have positions, and Patrick Williams finally has agreed his best needs to be at the wing. So why bring in another when there’s other issues? Even if it sees like Amen could be a star.

Gradey Dick looks like the best shooter in the draft, a pure catch-and-release player who is no fish story. Just a glimpse at this year’s NBA playoffs shows practically game after game the team making the most threes wins. No team regularly shoots fewer than the Bulls, and no team is bereft of catch-and-shoot players like the Bulls. Most draft experts project Gradey Dick barely out of the top 10. Though we also heard a lot of those similar things about Haliburton. Gradey Dick isn’t the playmaker of someone like Haliburton. But he’s got probably the most valuable skill for the NBA these days. He wouldn’t project as a starter for the Bulls, but coming off the bench he could fill a valuable need for a team that probably needs two guys who can shoot like that.

If the Bulls didn’t care for Gradey Dick, I’d look at a few other players projected in the lottery who might fit more what the Bulls need than the Thompson brothers. It wouldn’t be a mistake to select Amen because, so be it, the Bulls hardly can pass on potentially elite talent. But if the Bulls get No. 4, it might be worth it to take a look at a potential point guard like 6-7 Anthony Black from Arkansas. Perhaps he’s not the prototypical player to run a team, but he’s got terrific size and seemingly has the potential to run an offense. He’s considered a good defender and with his size would give the Bulls the backcourt/wing defensive possibilities they currently lack often playing so small. He’s not a good shooter, which could be an issue, at least early on. Another possibility at No. 4 could be 6-8, 240-pound Jerace Walker from Houston. Maybe a bit small for power forward, but he has a long reach and is a powerful, physical player with a competent shot and top defensive abilities, a player with the toughness any team would desire for playoff ball. That’s where the scouting comes in because there always are players whom no one expects who become stars.&nbsp;

Now the lottery balls just have to settle in the right order.

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Here's who the Bulls could consider taking if they jump up in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery

Rob Schaefer

The Chicago Bulls’ 2022-23 season came to a disappointing end in mid-April with a loss to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament.

Although that defeat fell short of the team’s playoff goals, there are still important basketball matters to attend to this May. Mainly, the NBA Draft Lottery, which will be held on May 16.

This year’s lottery has higher stakes for the Bulls than your typical non-playoff team. As part of the franchise’s trade for Nikola Vučević in February of 2021, the Bulls owe the Orlando Magic their 2023 first-round pick if said pick falls outside of the top four of the draft order — which, as of now, is overwhelmingly likely.

But that is why the lottery balls are drawn. Here is everything you need to know ahead of that seminal night, in FAQ format:

Uh, lottery balls? How does this whole process work again?

A good — and relatively complex — question to get us started.

The NBA Draft Lottery is exactly what it says it is: a lottery. The contestants are the 14 teams that did not qualify for the playoffs in a given season.

First, 14 lottery balls numbered 1-14 are placed into a lottery machine, with each of the 14 eligible teams assigned a set amount of four-number combinations.

Four balls are then withdrawn from said machine four times, producing four different four-number combinations. Whichever teams own the combinations that are produced are assigned the Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 picks, respectively, in the draft.

After the top four is etched in stone, pick Nos. 5-14 are assigned to the remaining teams based on the inverse of your regular season record. This means the only way a team can rise above its pre-lottery slot is if it jumps into the top four, and, if a team does not rise into the top four, the lowest they can fall is four spots below their pre-lottery slot.

What chance does each team have of winning the lottery?

But, of course, all lottery teams are not created equal. The worse your regular season record, the more combinations you receive.

Of the 1,001 possible four-number combinations that the lottery balls produce, here is how each team’s chances of landing the No. 1 overall pick break down by team rank (with No. 1 representing the team with the NBA’s worst record):

Each team’s chances of landing a top-four pick are significantly higher than the No. 1 pick, as they have four draws to see one of their four-number combinations produced.

What are the Bulls’ chances of winning the lottery? Or at least landing in the top four?

The Bulls finished the regular season tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA’s 11th-worst record (40-42), so they will split the combined 3.5% chance (35 combinations) of landing the No. 1 pick.&nbsp;

But because owning 17.5 four-number combinations would be impossible, the league coin-flipped last month to break the tie and determine which team would have 18 combinations and which would have 17. The Bulls won, so they have a 1.8% chance of landing the top pick in the draft and an 8.5% chance of rising into the top four.

Here is how the other lottery teams’ chances stack up:

How often do teams actually jump up in the lottery?

The NBA actually tweaked its lottery structure before the 2019 draft to smooth the probabilities a bit more evenly throughout the 14 contestants.

Before that draft, for example, the league used to only draw for the top three picks instead of four. And the team with the worst regular season record had a 25% chance of landing the top pick instead of an even 14% for each of the bottom three.

Such change was made to disincentivize intentionally jockeying for better draft lottery position — and has produced some interesting results thus far.

Of the 16 teams that have picked in the top four in the four drafts since the above changes were implemented, eight have come from outside the top four of the pre-lottery order. One of those eight even won the No. 1 pick (the Pelicans, who, with the league’s seventh-worst record, cashed in on a 6% chance in 2019).

The good news for the Bulls is anything is possible. Each year since the lottery system overhaul, at least one team from outside the top four has jumped — three in 2019, two in 2020 and 2021, and one in 2022.

The bad news is only once has a team jumped from a lottery slot as low as the Bulls’ 11th-place standing: the Lakers in 2019.

What is the Bulls’ history of jumping in the lottery?

The Bulls have jumped in the lottery three times in franchise history and once in the four years since the system tweaks were made.

The first was in 1999, when they rose from third pre-lottery to the No. 1 pick and selected Elton Brand. The third, as noted in the chart above, was in 2020, when they leapt from seventh to fourth and plucked Patrick Williams.

But, if you believe in miracles, the second is the most compelling relative to their chances this year. Fifteen years ago, sitting ninth in the 2008 lottery order with a 1.7% chance of nabbing the top overall pick, the Bulls vaulted all the way to No. 1 and drafted Derrick Rose.

So, yes, even if it’s not a good one, we’re telling you there is a chance that another generational talent — Victor Wembenyama? — ends up in Bulls threads come June.

nba-draft-lottery-how-it-works-and-where-the-bulls-stand

NBA Draft Lottery: How it works and where the Bulls stand

Bulls.com

The NBA announced today that Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso has been named to the 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team. This is Caruso’s first career NBA All-Defensive Team selection, becoming the first Bulls player to earn a first team selection since 2013-14 (Joakim Noah).

During the 2022-23 campaign, Caruso averaged 1.5 steals, 0.7 blocks and 3.4 deflections in 23.5 minutes over 67 games (36 starts). The six-year veteran ranked top-15 in the NBA in several notable defensive categories this season, ranking first in the NBA in steals per 100 possessions (3.0 – min. 1,500 minutes played), first in deflections per 36 minutes (5.2), tied for fifth in deflections per game (3.4), sixth in total deflections (226), tied for ninth in steals per game (1.5) and 14th in total steals (98).

The College Station, Texas native was one of five players in the NBA to finish the regular season with at least 95 steals and 45 blocks, and the first Bulls player since 2013-14 (Joakim Noah) to record such a feat. Caruso’s activity on the defensive end of the floor helped Chicago finish fifth in the NBA in defensive rating (111.5) in 2022-23, while leading the NBA with a 110.3 defensive rating between Jan. 1 and the conclusion of the regular season.

Caruso is the 14th player in franchise history to garner an All-Defensive nod and the third in the last 10 seasons (Noah, Jimmy Butler). He becomes the first Bulls player since 2015-16 to earn All-Defensive Team honors (Jimmy Butler).

The 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team was selected by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Players were awarded two points for each vote to the NBA All-Defensive First Team and one point for each vote to the Second Team. Voters selected two guards, two forwards and one center for each team, choosing players at the position they play regularly. Players who received votes at multiple positions were slotted at the position at which they received the most voting points.

NBA All-Defensive selections first became official following the 1968-69 season.

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Alex Caruso named to 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Defensive First-Team

chijpinchin

Bulls wrap up the season and look ahead to the summer.

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All-Access: Episode Fifteen

Presented By

AT&T

<a title="2023 End of Season Media Availability LIVE beginning at 12:30 pm CST." href="https://www.nba.com/bulls/bullstv/live">2023 End of Season Media Availability LIVE beginning at 12:30 pm CST.</a>