Arturas Karnisovas

The way the Bulls once so promising season ended in the disappointing 4-1 playoff series loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, some Bulls fans were talking about being patients.

Bulls Executive Vice-President Artūras Karnišovas Friday agreed, though he spelled it differently: Patience.

"Not the way we want to finish, but we got back to the postseason and we have time now to figure it out, what we're going to do this summer," Karnišovas told reporters Friday in his season ending State of the Bulls. "I hope for continuity because we're constantly competing against teams that have been together for three, four, five years. Results come obviously when you keep the same group longer. You're playing against Milwaukee, against Philly, against Boston, against Miami; they've been together for a long time."

"Continuity is valuable," Karnišovas agreed. "This experience from playing together for seven months for them is going to be a good experience. We'll figure out what additions we need. Is that shooting? Is that defense? Is that size? Athleticism? So we're going to sit down and figure it out with the group.''

Yes, yes, yes and yes, though not as much and not as many as that suggests.

Tap to listen to reflections from Artūras Karnišovas during his end-of-season press conference.

This season really was Step 1 despite looking like a leap into title contention for so much of the season. But Karnišovas, who doesn't say much but sees a lot, likely understood with his magic act last summer of making a rebuilding disappear.

Karnišovas' clever manipulation of the salary cap and free agency and trades netted point guard Lonzo Ball, All-Star DeMar DeRozan and defensive whiz Alex Caruso in addition to a draft abracadabra that reached for Chicagoan Ayo Dosunmu in the second-round. Karnišovas' conjuring drew gasps around the NBA as the Bulls led the Eastern Conference on and off into the All-Star break before a late season stumble part injury, part schedule, part illness and part wear.

It probably wasn't surprising to even Karnišovas because a Bulls continuation to the league crown in the first season together for virtually the entire team would have been one of the most unparalleled rises in league history. As it is, Karnišovas remains a top contender for Executive of the Year.

"The small sample we had at the beginning of the season I thought was pretty good," said Karnišovas. "We understand our roster and any shortcomings. I think it's also a long season, lots of lineups; it's very hard to find your identity defensively when your lineup is constantly changing. We had a very hard time, especially in the second-half with that when our defense dropped to the 20s. There's definitely a lot of room to improve. For us to compete, we have to be top 10 in both offense and defense. We'll try to figure out how to get there. It's very difficult to pinpoint when you have 29 different lineups during the season. Remembering what we had to go through in December and January, pretty much coming to the Advocate Center and not knowing what the lineup is even going to look like. Somebody is Covid positive, somebody just tweaked a knee, somebody is out. So for Billy (Donovan) and his staff and what they had to deal with, and our performance staff was wonderful, too, this gym was just everyday busy with our player development guys trying to keep guys that had low minute runs, keep those guys in shape. It's been a very challenging year.

"There is value to get back to the postseason for the first time in five years," Karnišovas noted. "It's a new team. They were together since October. So I think this group is still forming. They're going to have another summer. Leading into the training camp, there's going to definitely be improvements being together for a longer time. I think another year under the belt will serve them well."

The absences of Ball for the second-half of the season and Caruso for about six weeks, and Patrick Williams to start almost all season obviously compromised the defense that was top 10 early in the season. Obviously, as shown against the Bucks in the playoffs, perimeter shooting was a concern as well as size along the front line. The free agency status of Zach LaVine, of course, looms significantly over everything.

Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan proved to be a lethal duo together during the 21-22 season.

But the core players of LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic were a match for most teams, especially on offense, and Karnišovas indicated this summer is more likely a fixer upper than a new foundation like last summer. The Bulls have the No. 18 pick in the draft and a salary cap exception to be determined depending on whether they are in the luxury tax.

"We've always been ready for what comes our way," said Karnišovas. "So hopefully we can keep the core together and like you (media) said, work around the margins. We're gonna look at free agents and see what else we need. We're gonna be in the draft. We still have Portland's (future No. 1 lottery protected) pick. So we have a couple assets (for trades) and we'll see what happens."

Karnišovas keeps his cards close to the vest, but last summer demonstrated he knows how to draw aces.

"I would say that there were a lot of good moments in the first half of the season, and we're really happy that we ended up with DeMar and Zach playing in the All-Star Game," Karnišovas said. "However, it's an up-and-down season, not the way we wanted it to finish. But there's a lot of positives. I thought that first game and that second game against Milwaukee was exactly how we wanted it to go. I think (games) in the playoffs. It was special to watch the passion in that building, and I hate to disappoint them. Even when we went on the road we were feeling like we were playing in Chicago. So the support we had from fans was amazing. I really enjoyed this year in terms of experience.

"We got a lot of work to do," Karnišovas admitted. "I understand that this roster is just one year old. Playing together for a longer period of time is gonna contribute to familiarity and feeling more comfortable in tough situations."

Karnisovas acknowledged there is uncertainty regarding Ball's troublesome knee issues, especially because of his value to the team this season.

"We missed him greatly this year," Karnišovas said. "We missed his size, we missed him pushing the break. We got a little bit slower the second half of the season. We missed his eight attempts per game from three at 42 percent. But we also have to pay attention to what's going on there and we'll try and figure it out this summer.

Artūras Karnisovas meeting with reporters Friday during the Bulls end-of-season press conference.

"I'm hoping for durability, I'm a positive guy," Karnišovas said with a smile. "We're gonna look at everything and we're gonna try to get them healthy this summer leading into training camp. I thought that this group of players was really, really good during the season; resilient group, next in line mentality. Nobody complained when the guy would come back and he would lose his minutes. They were really supportive. So I really enjoyed this year, working with this group. I expect them to be healthy (next season). But again any additions that we're gonna make to the roster, it's more towards versatility and being flexible because the season is long and you have to have a good quality of roster for flexibility."

Karnišovas also praised the stability that Nikola Vucevic brought in calling him perhaps the team's most irreplaceable player.

"He was one of our most durable players," Karnišovas said. "I think if you think about the rotations, guards going in and out, wings going in and out, I think he would have been probably the hardest guy to replace. But he stayed available and he's been a vital part of what we run on offense and all year long just being available, he's been great for us."

A popular topic for almost everyone around the team has been the possibilities and promise of Patrick Williams.

"I think there were a lot of positives with Patrick," Karnišovas said. "He's been out for five months and then came back and it took him a while to just get a feel. I think his skill set is pretty complete. What he can do athletically not a lot of players can do in our league. I just think the biggest thing for him is experience and confidence. We're always gonna ask him to be more aggressive. It's hard to think that he's 20 years old and making those adjustments playing against the world champions (to average 21 points the last two games). That's gonna serve him well as experience and he's gonna come back better next year. He has a huge summer in front of him; he's committed."

Karnišovas said starting the season late was a setback for Coby White, but he liked what he saw of the season.

"I see a lot of growth in Coby's year because he's never been in these situations," said Karnišovas. "He's been very good. Whatever Billy asked of him, sometimes he would start and sometimes come off the bench. He's never been in the playoffs, so that was new for him. Just emotionally, how to control emotions, it's a learning experience for him. How to knock down shots and how to play with constantly changing rosters in terms of lineups, I thought it was positive for Coby. He came in during the season. It took him some time to get it going. But I thought he had huge strides. 38.5 percent from three is pretty good. So there's a lot of positives to his season." And Karnisovas expects even more for the Bulls next season

Patience and patients? That's what's known as a homophone, words that sound alike but are spelled differently. That's right, write it: Bulls in '23?

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Artūras Karnišovas reflects on season, missing Lonzo, Patrick's development, and more

Artūras Karnišovas media availability following NBA Trade Deadline

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Arturas Karnisovas and Billy Donovan sat side by side Monday in a United Center club for the annual trading camp media day. They smiled and seemed pleased. So much so they greeted media members fondly after a year of Zoom conference calls. Talk about preseason optimism. After all, the Bulls 2021 reboot no longer inchoate has mostly met community approval. If not excitement quite yet without any wins, there's certainly ebullience.

"We are optimistic and we believe in this group," said Karnisovas. "The pitch this summer to free agents was we're building something and we want to win. Two All-Stars already on the roster. I think that helped. We were pleasantly surprised that a lot of guys wanted to play in Chicago. It obviously says a lot about building a new staff. It says a lot about players like Zach (LaVine) and Vooch (Nikola Vucevic) and players wanting to play with them. We believe in Billy. I think we have a lot of positivity going into the season."

In other words, ‘Hey Billy, now it's your turn."

Karnisovas didn't exactly say that; and he probably wouldn't. He's known as a supportive boss who eagerly navigates the trenches and remains in lockstep with his staff. But it's been an audacious off season for the Bulls Vice President of Basketball Operations and his staff. They acquired, technically through sign-and-trade transactions, two of the most sought after free agents of the summer, Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan. Karnisovas persuaded supersub Alex Caruso not only to leave LeBron and his title contenders, but spend the winter in Chicago instead of Los Angeles. Forget the NBA, the UN needs that guy!

We'll know in perhaps six months how righteous was Karnisovas' template for the Bulls. Whether it is fortuitous or combustible, however, will depend much on Donovan. Which the seventh year NBA coach understands. Promise at this time in the NBA season remains an enigma. Perhaps the pieces are there, but the puzzle doesn't make sense unless they are in the correct spaces.

"I am excited about this, but at the same point, too, I think the challenge for us is going to be how well we can gel and mesh together throughout training camp," Donovan conceded. "I understand that when you turn the roster over as much as we did, there are going to be some ups and downs. I think (the players) understand that's going to be a challenge. Something that is equally important (is) how well do we all come together as a team and how well can we fulfill roles and play to our roles and can we continue to play to an identity or style that is going to be conducive to the group? The work really starts (Tuesday). I am excited to get to work with these guys. I'm excited about the opportunity that is in front of us, but I still feel at the same point because we've never, as Arturas mentioned, practiced or played a game together. To sit there and speculate how smooth the transition is going to be, I really don't know. But I do feel pretty confident about the quality people that are in the locker room."

Now to make it familiar enough on the basketball court that it will occur regularly and routinely.

Because it's not a very big Bulls team, especially with presumptive starting power forward Patrick Williams probably out until November with a sprained ankle. It's a team, Donovan says, that needs to play faster after slowing down last season because of the additions of Vucevic and Daniel Theis with Lauri Markkanen still occupying space. Especially to take advantage of the transition talents of Ball, though without the size to be a classically good rebounding team.

And how, so many have wondered, the scoring of LaVine and DeRozan can be integrated. While pretty much forgetting about Vucevic and his scoring. Vucevic averaged more shots per game last season than either LaVine and DeRozan.

Oh, and a starting lineup of players generally not known for a defensive ethos.

Which Donovan believes separates the good from the great.

"I'm not one of those guys who sits here and says because Zach LaVine is a really good scorer and so is DeMar, so is Vooch, we'll just be able to score," said Donovan. "I think that's going to be a work in progress. But we are going to have to every day put the physical work into defending because if you look at whether it's the rebounding or our ability to guard from the post or the perimeter, we are going to have to make an incredible investment defensively. It starts at the point of the ball and I do think Lonzo and DeMar and Zach have the ability to be really good on ball defenders and I do think with a guy like Patrick Williams, he has the versatility that we can switch a little bit more than we did in the past. But I do think how well we get back in transition, how well we guard the basketball one on one will be critical. There's got to be a real strong investment made there because this team should have really good potential offensively as they hopefully get more and more acquainted with each other. But if you look at any good team they are really good on both ends of the floor. For us, you look at the team and say, ‘Well, these guys are scorers, scoring is going to be easy.' I still say they have to learn to play with each other. But to the other point, we really have to make a commitment defensively."

Part of that commitment is what the coaches say is finishing the defense, which is rebounding. Vucevic has good rebounding statistics, but is not, especially going on 31 next month, a top level athletic player. Williams is out for now, which may require a musical chairs of replacements depending upon matchups and rotations.

"You could theoretically move DeMar to the power forward spot," speculated Donovan in mad scientist mode. "You could move Caruso into the starting lineup. You can take some guys that are in camp, see what a guy like Stanley Johnson can do. He's been in the league awhile. He was a high draft pick. In some of these preseason games, based on where Patrick is at, maybe see what he looks like out there. Derrick Jones Jr. is another guy you can throw out there. I do think we have some versatility and flexibility to use if we want to play with four guards. Or if it's not four guards, maybe it's three guards and a forward. The key is how these guys look playing together."

So, no, it's not quite that finished product yet. The Bucks can relax a bit.

"We're probably going to be a little undersized at that (power forward) position," Donovan admitted. "But when you look around the league in those positions, a lot of those guys have been incredibly versatile. I think we have the flexibility with our roster to move different guys down there. How big we can play, I'm not sure. But last year we were so big in that position that I thought we needed to be a little bit smaller. Overall, I think it's going to have to be done rebounding by committee. We just can't rely on Vooch or our power forward; we have to do it collectively as a group.

"Lonzo has been a really good rebounding guard and he's got size, DeMar has got size, Zach has got size and length," noted Donovan. "Patrick has always been a guy who will continue to be a very very good rebounder both offensively and defensively. But we are going to have to do it committee wise. There are going to be nights where that's going to be a challenge for us. I think every team has different challenges to face; that's got to be a collective priority for our team of limiting teams to one shot. But with the way the game has gone and the number of threes that have gone up, it's not so much the normal rebounds you come to expect where a shot goes up and guys just physically knock you out of the way and come down with it and lay it in. So many of the rebounds now you get are long rebounds and our guards, I think, have been pretty good defensive rebounders; we'll need that from them with our team."

Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan pose during Bulls Media Day on Monday

The plan, assuming those guards get those long rebounds, is to speed up the play. The Bulls' pace slowed after last season's trades. Every coach in training camp talks about playing faster. But then everyone gets back in transition. Half court offense dominates the NBA game. Which has been Vucevic and DeRozan much of their careers. They are the plus-30s in the starting lineup. It seems like they better be in good condition (ironically, though, Donovan said it was the team's youngest player, Williams, who lacked the conditioning last season. That's been another project, but put on hold for now with his ankle sprain).

"We are going to have to play faster," Donovan reiterated. "I think DeMar and Zach are two players in the open floor and open space who are really, really terrific offensive players. And when you look at the point guard spot, Coby (White, out until November with a shoulder injury) played there last year. Certainly Lonzo, and even Alex Caruso. Lonzo to me is as good as an advanced passer as there is. In order to play to his strengths, we've got to get out to enable him to get his passing into the game. He is really, really good in getting it up the floor. To play to his strengths is going to require the other four guys to get out running. We have to be better than we were a year ago because we probably changed stylistically after that trade deadline. I think going into training camp the emphasis has to be on us playing faster."

But what Donovan says he especially likes is it's a serious, high character group with veterans who know how to play. It makes his job easier. It sounds good to have a young quarterback. Until you need to make a play.

"AK and his staff put a premium on basketball IQ," said Donovan. "DeRozan is a very high IQ player. I think Lonzo is a very high IQ player; Caruso is a high IQ player. Getting a chance to work with Vooch last year, high IQ player. I think we have guys who have a really, really good feel on how to play. I do think last year there was a lot on Zach's plate from ball handling and creating and generating points and offense for us that I think we've now created a situation where we have multiple handlers, multiple guys who can put the ball on the floor. Listen, I think on any team there is going to have to be sacrifice and I would just say this: Zach was as good and as efficient of a scorer as anyone in the league last year. But you are also bringing in Vooch and DeMar; those guys can score, too. So how do we best function where we are efficient? That may require some guys not scoring as many points as maybe they did if it is going to benefit the team and the team is going to be better because of that. I feel confident because of the IQ. I think it's going to be how quickly can these guys coexist playing with each other. All of them gelling and meshing together with Lonzo with Alex Caruso, with Patrick; that's going to be the biggest thing. There is going to be a lot of work in front of us, but the quality of people we have, they'll stay to it and keep working to continue to improve and get better.

"It's hard to sit there and make predictions or project what is or is not going to happen," Donovan added. "I just know we have a lot of work ahead of us. The expectation is you want to compete at the highest level. You want to be able to make deep runs in the playoffs. I think we're continually trying to build and get better from one year to the next. But with all these new faces, outside of Patrick and Zach and Coby, nobody on our team last year started and finished the season. And two of those three guys are injured right now. I'm excited about it because there's a lot of potential and I think a positivity to what we can become. I'm excited about the work because I'm excited about the guys. But I think for us right now, we're going to have to see."

At least it should be a pleasing sight this time.

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Bulls' Billy Donovan: "We are going to have to play faster."

Razzmatazz and all that jazz, a town that won't let you down?

People who smile at you. Each time you roam, it's calling you home? Each time you leave tuggin' at your sleeve?

"The one thing that we know is we're committed to Zach," Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas told reporters Monday for the opening of NBA training camps. "We want him to be in Chicago a very long time. I think (the) trade deadline and free agency moves kind of proved that. He has a great relationship with Billy (Donovan, coach), a good relationship with me. Can't wait to see how the players we added to the team are going to work together and gel. We really feel good about Zach and about this season."

Monday was the annual pre-camp media day for the Bulls and the NBA. It's a sanguine time for many teams, especially the Bulls this season with the roster makeover and the addition of top players like four-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball after the trade for two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic last March. With promising second year forward Patrick Williams, it provides the Bulls with—on paper, which is always a fragile place—their best starting lineup in at least a decade.

All five along with Karnisovas and Donovan were made available for media questions Monday afternoon. Training camp practices begin Tuesday with the first preseason game in a week. The NBA season back to 82 games begins Oct. 19. Sanguinity was the byword for the Bulls with the roster overhaul. Which left just LaVine's pending unrestricted free agency next summer as the biggest unanswered question.

Everyone will know for sure next summer, but it would seem the Bulls did all they could to persuade LaVine it should be.

The Bulls could have used their salary cap space this past summer to sign LaVine to a contract extension. But that would have precluded any serious or substantial roster additions, like that of DeRozan and Ball. Karnisovas has made it clear the team desires to reward and return LaVine. But they also know that as much as everyone is driven by finances, LaVine also has been by the opportunity to win bigger.

And thus far LaVine's teams—other than this summer's USA Basketball group—hasn't won much. LaVine never has played in an NBA playoff game in seven seasons, and with almost as many coaches. So the Bulls are wagering on court success will matter as much or more to LaVine as off court finances. It should be a winner, which is the direction the Bulls are betting on.

And which seems as impressive to LaVine as the Wrigley Building.

"I think you guys know I'm a team-first guy," said LaVine. "I'm excited with all the moves that were made and really looking forward to getting into camp and getting to know these guys and getting the season started because we all have a lot to prove.

"My plan is to tomorrow get ready for training camp, get ready for the season, and try and help these guys win just like everybody else," LaVine added. "I'm not worried about my contract right now. That will be a point and time in the future. And my agent I will sit down and discuss it, go from there. But right now it's about the Bulls and getting better tomorrow. Starting this thing off right, working hard, and getting forward with helping us win and just being involved with the team this year.''

"Nah," LaVine corrected. "Pressure for us isn't going out there and playing basketball. Pressure is when a mom has to wake up and supply for her kids, so basketball isn't that much pressure."

It's obviously a big season for LaVine with his potential free agency, and for the Bulls with a new roster and fans back in the arena after a year and a half away because of the pandemic. LaVine in the past few seasons has pushed himself into the NBA elite discussions with an All-Star selection, averaging among the highest scorers in the NBA and winning a gold medal in August with USA Basketball. Which LaVine also said should be a helpful model for he and his new Big 3 partners, DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.

Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan pose during Bulls Media Day.

"The Olympic experience was incredible just from a standpoint of being around a bunch of guys that are at the highest level on and off the court," said LaVine. "And then playing a role with a team that it was all about winning, and we were all at the top of our game and we all couldn't be the number one option. I think that experience definitely taught me something about what goes into winning and being part of a winning team at a very, very high level. Something I can bring back here and hopefully be a better leader going forward with trying to push us to be a playoff team. We had to find a role and help the team win."

The Bulls don't have quite that talent, but they could have some of the same issues with three players who have been All-Stars and average at least 20 points per game. You know, and one ball. But LaVine has seen it work, and he's anxious to bring that back to the Bulls.

"We've got a bunch of new guys, new faces, and bunch of talent," LaVine agreed. "We've got to get to know each other first, and I think that's where Billy (Donovan, coach) and a lot of guys, leaders of the team, are going to really decide how we're really going to play. But I know first and foremost we're going to have a commitment to going in every day and getting our work in and being a really hard-playing team. Obviously we're going to be exciting. We're going to be able to get up and down the floor with some athletic guys. But we've gotta see how it is first before we can put any names on them. I just know we're going to come in with our hardhats on and be ready to scrap. Numbers really shouldn't matter at the end of the day if we're getting wins because that means everybody's winning."

It's also why LaVine, less underrated now, also is so appreciated by the Bulls. Though a prolific scorer, he showed with the Olympic team a willingness to sacrifice scoring for team success. He always has said he'd do whatever it took to win, and this summer he showed it. It's why even at 26 the athletic 6-6 guard has emerged as a leader for these Bulls.

"We're all high-IQ guys, we all know what we do," said LaVine. "We're not going to try and change our games and not step on each other's feet because if we're not playing our games we're not ourselves. They brought us here to be ourselves, so we're going to go in there with that mindset and figure it out.

"Every year you get in the league is an accomplishment, and you go in there and don't take it for granted," said LaVine. "But this is the most excited I've been. Especially with the talent of the team that we have here, the support they've given me. I'm extremely happy about that, and I'm ready to hit the ground running and go out there and just get it going. There's an excitement around the city, but there's a bigger excitement around the team, as well, because we know we can do something.''

Zach LaVine doesn't want to let this town down.

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Zach LaVine as Bulls enter training camp: "This is the most excited I've been."

I have been reading you long enough to know you will speak well of the DeRozan deal. You will argue talent over fit and commitment. And probably at least laud management for having a plan. And speak of how hard it is to attract any talent through free agency. All the while glossing over the fact he can't shoot, is better with the ball in his hands and is a minus defender making $30 million a yer. Oh yeah, he's the most boring player in the league to watch. Similar to trading for Vuc and Theis at last year's deadline; once again this management team has shown a total lack of understanding on how to build a team. Adding Ball seemed like a great move. Adding DeRozan negates so much of that.

I’m spending too much time writing Ask Sam when it seems you can do it as well (or competently).  Ditto. Yes, I love the DeRozan acquisition. Like the Lonzo addition; OK with Caruso and Bradley. But I love the DeRozan acquisition. Did I mention that? Lonzo was the need; I understand that. Everyone has been talking point guard for a year or more; OK, everyone but the teams pressuring the Bulls guards into turnovers. Lonzo’s not top 10 at his position, but he’s young, a former No. 2 overall pick (I prefer them when someone else has trained them), an improved shooter, a defender, good size, unselfish, smart. You don’t teach point guard. You either are or you are not. But basketball is about making plays. Lonzo doesn’t; DeMar does. I know the analytics mob doesn’t like DeRozan because he doesn’t shoot threes. And this debate is never ending without either side giving in, the sporting version of today’s political talk. Though every time you look, it seems mid range shooting is saving the day. Chris Paul, anyone? Booker? Middleton? The Finals was all about making baskets. Heck, just watch this recent USA Olympic team. They generally missed their first eight or 10 threes every game and then got back in the game telling Kevin Durant to make 15 footers. I know everyone has their own evidence. And those three falsehoods, lies, damned lies and statistics. None of the calculations seem to take into account all those times you don’t shoot searching out a three. Anyway, back to DeRozan. You’re right; I like talent.  It’s what the NBA game comes down to after all the back and forth, make a run, give up a run. Who’s going to make a play? It’s not Lonzo or Caruso. But now it’s not just Zach or perhaps Vooch. It’s not about multiple playmakers; it’s about multiple scorers. The Bulls have them now, and they’re not the kind of players hesitant to show you. We haven’t seen this here perhaps since Chet and Butterbean. They didn’t win, I know, but what fun they were and they sure got close. I’ll take that. Rating the signings: 1. DeRozan. 2 Ball. 3. Caruso. It became significant only once they added DeRozan. Certainly to me.

Remember when Lauri &amp; Wendell were the future? Oh, and Zach could be a good 2nd-level guy when those two arose to greatness?

Now we've got 3 established 20+ pt. scorers who are all good playmakers as well... plus Lonzo Ball and the potential of Patrick Williams. The bench looks pretty good too, esp. when Coby is back. Still maybe a little small.

What's become clear is that AK is a brilliant and persuasive negotiator. That's one reason I'm not too worried about all of the future draft picks he's dealing away. I think AK assumes the Bulls will improve and those won't be such juicy picks to start with, but also that he'll be able to get the veteran players he needs through trades and free-agency. Also, with rookies becoming younger and less coached, it makes sense to let them make their mistakes elsewhere and trade for the ones who grow. The Vucevic trade: Most everybody interpreted that as a "win now" move and many considered it a failure since we didn't make the playoffs. I'm sure AK would've preferred making the playoffs, but that's not why he got Vuc. It wasn't a short-term move. It did signal AK wasn't going to sit on his hands and wait for things to develop. All that being said... I'm still in shock. BD probably is too! All the pressure is on him now; Can't say he doesn't have the players.

You are accurate in what really stood out here on the macro level is the way Karnisovas has taken 35 years of Bulls history and said, No, not that way! I have a better idea. The Bulls from the day the Reinsdorf group took over, and even several years previous with a run of top 10 draft picks, always were about building through the draft. And it did work: See Jordan, 1984, Pippen and Grant 1987, Rose 2008. Though to me it’s too much luck to be in the right draft with the right number at the right time. It has been the sporting blueprint and still mostly practiced in all sports. But we’ve all had enough of it here. Look, Paxson and Forman got lucky with Rose (1.9 percent chance) and were really close to a championship. Then they were in position to get lucky again with Zion Williams, Ja Morant, Luka Doncic and Trae Young. They didn’t. Would they be elsewhere if they did? But they didn’t, and I also applaud the new guys for declining to ask ownership to give them five years. The core the Bulls were so hopeful about really wasn’t, and it often takes an outsider to tell you what you don’t want to hear. I didn’t understand, as you note, why Vucevic would be judged a failure because it seemed obvious to me the first so called domino, that it hardly was a seriously competitive team until many more changes were made. Now many of them have been. And I also never saw the upside when everyone kept saying they’re the second youngest team in the league. Enough of that. As Tex Winter always said, you win with men. Which is why when the Bulls were winning in the 90s they basically got rid of all their draft picks. This isn’t that, but it’s a reiteration of the philosophy. Veterans dominate the late stages of the playoffs. Let’s challenge those guys. As for Donovan, fans and media tend to celebrate or condemn the coach according to the record. Part of the reason is he is the one who has to do all the talking. But few ever transcend the talent. The pressure should be on the players.

Can we petition Stacey and Adam to start using "ZZ Top" on the many upcoming Zo to Zach alley-oops? Who do you see as our starting 5?

I'll pass it on. Stacey is excited and I'm sure he's working on hot sauce subsidiary products and appropriate sobriquets for the new roster. Though the pressure is on Stacey now, also, after his own verbal slam dunk with Thadgic Young. For whatever it's worth, it's probably the best starting five since the championship years with Ball, LaVine, DeRozan, Williams and Vucevic, three All-Stars still in their primes starting, all at least 6-5 or 6-6 with a mix of transition and half court play. Don't do him like that! And, yes, Lonzo Loves the Lob and a Zesty Zach Zigs and Zags.

Closer and closer to positionless basketball. All four of Lavine, DeRozan, Caruso, and Ball can play 1-3. Not sure who Derozan can guard. Also concerning he can't shoot threes for 28 million. Nice to get off that terrible Aminu contract though. I don't see Coby in the future plans after all these moves. It is incredible. We have a front office who made moves for the better. Hated the Vuc trade last year, but with these new defensive point of attack additions maybe it works out. I love Caruso. Ball is a nice step in at least having a defensive guard on the floor to start the game. Is Coby now the fourth guard when he comes back or is he gone too? Have to max Zach next year.

There's a lot there; I know we'll hear about Zach's finances a lot, but with those new teammates, All-Stars, and the Bulls basically being able to pay him $30 million more than anyone else, where's he going? Where would he want to? After all, watching all the stars limp to the operating room the last two years, you better be sure about giving up all that money and picking somewhere else. Plus, Zach seems committed. Plus the latest conspiracy from the hard evidence of seeing he and Kevin Durant talk on the sidelines in the USA Basketball games that they will team up seems deflated with Durant extending with the Nets. Coby is the interesting one in all of us. Yes, you wonder what he's thinking after the Bulls basically spent free agency signing guards. And using their only draft pick on one. Many note the potential defensive deficiencies, but I still say, especially in the regular season, if you win 125-120 it still counts. This iteration of the Bulls isn't quite the group that has to defend in the conference finals. Worry about that then. Magic's Showtime Lakers didn't do defense much. They usually were about 10th and giving up 110 points per game; but they were fun. There are many ways to win.

Carushow will bring energy excitement, he brings playoff experience, is an nba champion, he looks like an accountant but I love it!? Now that we have a hundred point guards can we assume we loaded up on guards in case Zach wants to exit next year. If we don't make the playoffs next year I don't see Zach wanting to stay. I just think that Zach may have outplayed a contract extension and also is expendable. Coby starting at the 2 isn't that bad of a replacement. Zach has been with the bulls 4 years and hasn't proven himself to lead a team. I think he's overrated and not surprised if he becomes expendable because he costs too much money.

I feel it's my duty to publish at least one email a week comfortable with getting rid of Zach. You know, the guy who lately was one of the best players on the USA Olympic team, it's best shooter and assists leader. Yeah, why would the Bulls want to keep that guy when they can substitute in Caruso and his six per game career average? I have a bit of a bias against bald white guys in head bands, but I am getting counseling. Caruso is destined to be a fan favorite in the Scalabrine/Nate Robinson/Rodman tradition, the guy diving all over the place whether productive or not. He's a good addition, but hardly what this free agency has been about. As you note, there are a lot of guards, and ones who'll play a lot of minutes like LaVine, Lonzo and DeRozan. Coby probably wasn't thrilled by it all, but he's always been the unselfish, supportive teammate ready to come off the bench if needed. He's an impressive scorer, and I do think this Bulls team is going to have to win more games with its offense. If so, there should be an important place for Coby. While there's been a lot of wonder about White, it's going to be tough for second rounder Ayo Dosunmu to find much light. My sense was Arturas had his eye on someone to stash (and develop) in Europe and then bring in next year. But the Illinois kid was too tempting to pass for possibilities and fan interest. I assume he splits the season with Windy City.

Is this the first time in the history of the Bulls that a lot of future picks have been given out in a span of five successive years? It is too risky for anyone to take that route since there is no certainty that the chosen players in exchange for the pick will win the championship. All superstars in the NBA came from the draft and it is a matter of wisdom and sound judgment in choosing the right player for the given position needed. There are several young players to choose from in the draft and would cost the company less money for the same or even higher value.

There are always teams that are going to use the draft with your logic, which has been proven. The draft does produce the stars of the game. And everyone else. The Miami Heat is a good example. They disdain the draft and continue to be about competing regularly. I happen to prefer that model, and it seems the Bulls now do, also. Though it is a massive sea change turnaround for the Bulls, so yes, probably difficult to embrace so quickly.

The Bulls are now locked in to mediocrity. Win now mode with a lackluster core. No first round picks in a deep draft. This is the Jimmy Butler/D Wade/Rondo Bulls 2.0 but much softer. It's pathetic. Not a fan of the moves, starting with the trade for Vucevic. I think they're locking themselves in to 40 win seasons and play in games.

So you're not on board? There's plenty of inspiration for this, and you can point to the Phoenix Suns. They were the Bulls of the last decade, though much worse, and then added a few experienced veterans to their longtime non-playoffs group of babies and were two wins from the championship. Without much that isn't different from the Bulls. LaVine matches Booker; Vucevic matches Ayton and is much more accomplished, DeRozan matches Crowder with not as much defense but way more offense, Williams will be at least as productive and defensively effective as Bridges and Lonzo is no Chris Paul, but he's a missing piece. And Coby and Caruso versus Cam Payne? The star power has diminished around the league. Kawhi is out, Golden State is reorganizing, the 76ers are teaching guys to shoot free throws, LeBron is putting together an AARP branch; OK, Giannis is great, but you can't match Middleton and Holiday? Harden, Durant and Kyrie? You know there's always the possibility for a Kyrie comet to strike there. The opportunity is there in the NBA like it hasn't been in years. So why not reach for the ring? It's not as far away as it once seemed for so many.

Simple question, why would New Orleans not want to resign Lonzo Ball? Do they not think he is a good fit? I can understand if they were to land and upgrade, but missing out on Lowry, wouldn't matching any offer sheets Lonzo gets be a no brainer?

Though teams don't say that, money likely was a big part of it. They paid Ingram big and they're going to have to pay Zion. Small market, weak attendance even when fans are allowed in. It seemed obvious they didn't want another big debt on the books, which is also why they moved Adams and Bledsoe, though I think that also helps from a basketball standpoint. Look, Lonzo isn't everything. The Bulls needed him more than others because they didn't really have anyone. He won't help in many areas, like creating and free throws. So they needed DeRozan. Lonzo is a transition guard not adept at pick and roll joining a team that slowed down after acquiring half court Vucevic. There's some fitting to be done by the new tailor, Billy Donovan. Though Lonzo improved his shooting (a lot), some games the box score looks like he wasn't there. But he does those little things with defense, unselfish play, pace and intelligence. He's not one of the Big Three for the Bulls. So don't blame him. The Pelicans have some young guards (inexpensive) they want to try and in the deal acquired a less expensive Devonte Graham. You know, follow the money.

We're not jumping to the top of the Eastern Conference just yet - not even close. But you certainly can't find out what the combo of LaVine and Vucevic can be without a real distributor and I think we'll see if Patrick Williams can make the jump now that he has a point guard dishing the ball in good spots. I think this was a very necessary move. If the team is no good next year, they can still deal Lavine and get some quality for him. Only way to jumpstart an organization is to take meaningful steps forward, one at a time. I like what I've read about Caruso - lakers media, fans and players were raving about him. Some local reporters said there is no way lakers replace his grit and defense. He's a big gamer. I think a terrific pick up. I'm bullish on DeRozan making a positive impact, teaching guys to win, helping Zach... he's the new and maybe better Rip Hamilton...but he may also go downhill fast like Rip in his mid-30's.

Lets face it- with Zach and Vuc we're a fun team, but we're a 5 seed at best. It's a start. We need Patrick Williams to absolutely become a force in front of our eyes and it starts this summer and we could use a surprise from either Ayo or Marko. I can see a 15-20% chance of a real disappointment, maybe .500 ball, nobody figures out who is supposed to take the last shot and once again Zach playing hero ball. But until I see that, I'm gonna enjoy the new roster and the excitement.

One issue you have hit on is for maybe the first time in 20 years you can say the Eastern Conference is stronger than the West. Obviously, there's the champion, which has happened before. But now there's probably more star power in the East with Durant and Giannis, the two best players in the league (sorry, LeBron, not anymore), half the top 20 scorers and many of the biggest names with Harden, Kyrie and Embiid. And the bottom of the playoff East looks like Boston with Tatum and Brown. Versus? Memphis, San Antonio? So as much of a quantum leap as this Bulls team may take, there's the Big Three of Milwaukee, Brooklyn and Philadelphia and then presumed certainties like the Heat and Hawks. And the Knicks surprising again with Kemba? So you can get 15 games better and be a play-in team. But because of these changes, the Bulls don't have to say anyone is really out of reach anymore. They've got three current level All-Stars to make their case.

I just wanted to say as a die-hard Bulls fan since my childhood, you have to tip your hat to the organization and this new management. Bulls are finally going in the direction (contending) teams do. Bulls have tried the draft route but with back-end lottery picks (6-8), Its seldom you land a Franchise difference maker. They tried the "staying under the Cap approach in order to sign superstar free agents in the offseason only to be taken advantage of and left at the alter by superstars leaving them to throw tons of money at past his prime (Wade) $40 million along with ‘defense &amp; hustle is Optional (Jabari Parker) $20 Million. These current moves do not secure a championship but, it's defiantly in the right direction.

That's the point. You know, insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Though often attributed to Albert Einstein, I think he was a sugarholic and said to let them eat cake. Though I digress here once again. Everything the Bulls tried produced championships. Though for someone else. When the new boss comes in—no matter where it is—he or she generally has to present a new plan or direction. Otherwise why not keep the other guys? Only Zach LaVine, Coby White and Patrick Williams remain from the 15-player roster that started last season in late December.

With regards to the latest free agency activity by the Bulls: How does Coby White fit into the Bulls plans now that they've signed, Lonzo Ball? Lauri. Ditch or keep?

I'll miss Sato's energy off the bench, but can see why the Bulls traded him to get the player(s) they did. Along with Thad leaving, is this a net gain? Or a net loss for us?

Why move Theis on so soon after signing him? Did AK sign him with the sole intention of using him as a trading pawn in the off season? Or did the Bulls not like what they saw from him?

And finally: the romantic in me would've loved to see Rose back with Chicago! In reality, how close was this to actually happening? There were plenty of pre-trade rumours that it was a serious possibility.

Thanks as always (and surely with this roster we make the playoffs next season?!?!?).

Another Bam! Who knew? And now Javonte Green, too. Another guard as we are told it's a guards' league and Donovan often has shown a preference for guards. Green also has Montenegro citizenship to buddy up with Vucevic and Simonovic. Maybe this is all about luring back Mirotic. Coby, as we've all noted, just will have to find his way. Perhaps wear a Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford disguise. It appeared with Theis--and they do probably need another big, but the season isn't quite over yet and this Bulls team could be in the buyout brigade—and Rose it came down to Caruso. Defense? Aggressiveness? Head band residuals? You can't have everyone. The rumors were Rose was up for a return and I believe he was serious. The Knicks apparently were more serious. Credit Rose for refusing to accept everyone's judgment a few years ago that he wasn't even worth a minimum. He signed for about $15 million. It is a remarkable comeback. But it does seem like this Bulls management, which has done in weeks what it seemingly used to take years, wanted its own guys and its own direction without any of the baggage (or memories and sentimentality) of previous eras. It's not unusual. Yes, it's about the playoffs. It really is; really.

Agree with the multitudes of basketball analysts who are singing hymns to Kevin Durant, but the fact is, the USA Basketball would have been buried in the first quarter against France if it wasn't for a truly intense, almost vicious defense played by every man who rotated into the game. Only by holding France to a low shooting percentage and defending the post with grit and clawing hands was Team USA able to stay close enough for Durant's splendid shooting to make the difference. I was less impressed with Jason Tatum's offense. It was noticeable when he came into the game how the ball stopped moving when it got to him. The rest of his game was fine, and his stats are impressive, but I'm not sure he was a great fit for this team. And Lillard was really off. I wondered if he was having trouble with the time zone and the bubble conditions. I found sleep almost impossible on my trips to Asia, until Ambien came along. It wasn't as good as a natural night's sleep, but it was better than roaming the halls all night. Zahk, his growth as an all-around player has been amazing--especially his defense and his ability to blend into a team role. I think the Bulls are going to benefit mightily (and us fans, too) from his work on this team. It's obvious the USA's dominance of international basketball has come to an end, and that pleases me. If the face off with France had been a 3- or 5-game series, I don't know who would have won. But I know for sure all of the games would have been worth watching.

Good for USA, but especially good for Zach. He doesn't get into that answer critics stuff, but he certainly did as Popovich, no softie, relied on him for defense. Zach wasn't about the empty stats so many accuse him of but winning the game. Just like he always says. Yes, it's about the overall talent because it's a team game. Popovich relied on Zach a lot and let others sit. Though Tatum scored more, he often was awful to watch with his isolation play. I know he's celebrated for his scoring and has big games, but he played selfishly. Boston is not so assured relying on him. So I do see the Bulls passing them. To paraphrase the movie Airplane, Looks like Brad Stevens picked the wrong season to give up pointing to management about the guys they selected. And, by the way, it's time to sell high on Lillard. He was absolutely awful, bad shots, selfish play, looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. Apparently he told a reporter afterward he played through an abdominal injury. If that was the case, he shouldn't have. Tell someone. They had plenty of guys who could have shot 37 percent overall as he did. Look, he's a great talent and it was a tough place to play with the restrictions. But Portland's not going anywhere, he's tried and tried. It's time he gets a chance. They should take the 76ers offer and put Ben Simmons at point power forward where he belongs.

Everyone complained that previous management was too conservative. Now AK trades two first for 30+ Vuc and another first for 30+ DeRozan, two guys who in their prime are "Damontas Sabonis" level All-Stars.This is like NJ when they got Pierce and KG. I understand this is better than watching Coby and Wendell develop, but wow. This is definitely jumping off with no parachute.

But where were they going with Lauri, Wendell, Hutchison, Gafford, et al? Pierce and Garnett were post 35 and several years past their best. Prime for NBA players is generally agreed to be 28-32. Everyone is within that except for the younger guys and Zach just below. It's how you win in the NBA. Check the conference finals each season and see how many third year players are involved. Usually about one. I think it's still OK to say Geronimo, the daring call when soldiers were parachuting during World War II, since it was a military tribute to the great Native American chief. There's still safe landing out there. One other irony here. There's all this analysis of DeRozan costing too much. These are the same analysts always carping that the Bulls are cheap and don't spent enough. And now they're saying the Bulls spend too much? And why do they care? After all, it's not their money. And it's not like ticket prices ever are coming down. Enjoy the improvement in talent.

What are your thoughts on this Noah Vonleh? We had him for a short while this past year till he contracted covid and then the Nets picked him up for the rest of the year. He is a big bodied PF/C that rebounds and is still young at 25.....maybe its the IU in me but he seems to keep getting with teams where he can never show off what he can do. The PF cupboard in free agency is getting pretty bare so could he be someone to spell Patrick Williams off the bench?

Third time's a charm? The Bulls probably need some backup size, but not too much. It seems obvious their priority is to play smaller and guard oriented, and they did add what looks like a defensive backup in in Tony Bradley. Billy Donovan made it clear last season he prefers shorter rotations of about nine and maybe 10, and they have that with LaVine, Ball, DeRozan, Williams, Vucevic, Caruso, White, Bradley, probably Javonte Green and perhaps the 6-11 Simonovic. Plus they have a few bigs to look at from the Summer League team. Simi Shittu at 6-10 played well with them before. The 6-8 Omari Spellman on the Summer League team also looks interesting.

It looks like they have their distributor in Ball. He can play defense too. Hate to see Garrett Temple go. Those guys are harder to replace than folks think. Not impossible, but tougher than folks want to admit. I haven't seen Ball in a couple of years. Last time I saw his shot looked really hideous. I hear it's more presentable now. Best news though...unless he's a total bust out, LaVine can move off the ball which I think can really do great things for his game. He just never was a natural distributor. He's a finisher. I'm not so sure that Vucevic benefits as much though. Vucevic would do best with an Isiah-type that slashes off the s/r and has a number of ways of scoring. I don't think they want to make a Princeton center out of Vucevic. He strikes me as a bully on the box. I need to see what Ball's 12ft J looks like.

That's part of the puzzle, and plenty for us to discuss next season. Which will be another part of the fun. It's OK again to talk Bulls. Sure there appear to be some missing pieces and some edges that don't seem to fit and a lot of staring at things before it becomes clear. But there are so many possibilities now with, as you note, players like Zach in position to be more effective, if not to score as much, and more conundrums for the defense. That's it, more 12 footers!

Ayo dropped in the draft because he is mostly a mid-range type of player. Doesn't shoot many three pointers but is still effective. I can't help but think that DeRozan is the perfect mentor for Ayo!

I'm not much into the mentor thing since the best experience is to play. It seems problematic now for Ayo with the offseason guard additions of Ball and Caruso, and Coby White will be back after maybe missing just the start of the season with that shoulder surgery. And Javonte Green is around, another 6-4, 6-5 defensive guy. But it's a long season, guys get hurt, load management, so you never know. Plus, with a second round selection it's usually more about next year or the year after. And with the Bulls without many upcoming draft picks, it would seem more a season of seasoning for Ayo with the Windy City Bulls returning after sitting out the G-league bubble last season.

Would Paul Millsap take the vet min to join us?

That's just the kind of addition I can see Karnisovas pursuing. I know this calculation never works when we say isn't $200 million (career salary for Millsap) enough? But we have come to understand status and talent also are measured by salary. Not that they can do anything more with the money, but it's also a recognition of your place. Like in most work places. You're good with your salary until the coworker who you know is inferior gets a raise to make more than you do. With his experience Millsap would be eligible for about $2.5 million minimum. Might even be worth traveling around with a good veteran group for a season. And there's per diem. LaMarcus Aldridge out of retirement? Biyombo? Oh no, not Boogie.

Not that Lowry is a goon, or any of those guys really, in the way the Riley Knicks where, maybe PJ Tucker. But Riley seems to want to turn the clock back to the 90s and have some 84 to 83 games. I wouldn't mind that, much as I hated it back then, I am interested to see what happens. There is a lot of talent on the Bulls now, and it's up to Donovan to best utilize it all. Defense could be an issue, but Ball defends, and Levine said he wants to defend. I am looking for PW to be the D anchor, as well as start to realize how good he can be all around. He could definitely handle himself with any goons.I think Donovan has his work cut out for him. There are a lot of shots to go around with this much O talent. And then there's defense

I believe a part of this roster makeover was that the Bulls seemed to have too many guys somewhat averse to standing up for themselves, as if the officials would always make it fair. Yes, it's an offense-oriented team, but it is also a team with players who have been in these battles before. DeRozan knows Lowry well and isn't going to take anything. Caruso was that stick-his-nose-in-there guy teams love to have, like Garrett Temple but younger. Patrick Williams isn't being pushed around. Someone mentioned it in an email earlier, but there was that game last season when Embiid and Simmons sat out and then with the 76ers Tony Bradley crushed Carter and the Bulls. When Karnisovas came in he talked about being high on players like Carter. It likely was games like that which changed his mind. That Denver team Karnsiovas helped build isn't dirty, but it's tough and physical. He obviously wants players like that. Actually, John Paxson always did, but when they are 19 and highly acclaimed you never know until you have them. That's also why the draft is so difficult now. Who's tough at 19 coming out of AAU ball and a year in college when nobody makes you do anything you don't want to? The East with teams like Miami and Philadelphia is tough. The Bulls finally can match that with size an attitude.

I'd never heard of this European rule that Draymond Green took advantage of in the Gold game. It does make the foul shot more entertaining for the audience. Do you know its history and reasons for adoption?

I don't know the history, but European FIBA basketball always has been that way, that once the ball hits the rim it's live and can be batted away. U.S. players generally forget to do it; tough habit to break. Since Draymond can't do much else, he doesn't have much to think about.

It's hard not to get excited about this upcoming season. The Bulls now have 4 starters that are all-star caliber or close to it and an up and coming young player to boot. If Williams makes a jump this season to an average-level player... this team could be a serious threat in the East.

Some of the blame has to be on Markkanen since he hasn't stayed healthy. But yes, terrible coaching set him back. I think he's still got all star potential. Kinda disappointing it never happened for us, but at least we got Zach in the Jimmy trade!

Lauri will always be a mystery because he sure looked like something. Maybe not super special, but he was close to 20 and 10 as a second year guy, making big plays in Madison Square Garden, with a hard-to-defend driving drop step move and bank shot that seemed like something to develop. He looked like he’d wake up and fall into 20 points. Yes, there were injuries, several the freak kind, but they did keep happening. He did try to play through them or come back early. Despite his bland personality and casual urgency, he did seem like he wanted to compete. We’ll never know the impact of Boylen’s dismissal and poor usage of him and how much he gave up on himself—assuming he did—when he couldn’t gain much traction with Donovan. The soft thing became a self-fulfilling prophesy. Was it mental? Physical? Lost opportunity? There are just too many players who play like him—several Bogdanovics, Bertans—for Lauri not to find success in the NBA. I’m at least curious to watch his progress. I also think he can be productive, if not the All-Star the Bulls imagined a few years ago. If he’s with the Bulls this season it will likely be on the one-year qualifying offer and you assume you get his best if he wants to be an unrestricted free agent next summer. It’s a wise addition for the Bulls to keep him another year given his size and shooting for a reasonable price. There’s need on the front line for now.

I was reading about all the every other year rules around the Bulls 3 first round picks in trades due to the "Stepien Rule". I briefly remember him as an idiotic owner who traded all the Cavs first round picks and has to be stopped by the league. While he was ahead of his time in Cleveland logo team name changing, his slow pitch softball was renamed the Cleveland Stepien's! Crazy ball drop off a skyscraper injuring a lady, not enough whites on the team and inviting NBA writers over to watch porn (I assume you didn't go). Do you remember anything about him and how the league got rid of him?

I know I should have answered when the call was coming from 216. You mean the change to the Karnisovas Rule. But Arturas didn't trade two firsts for Richard Washington and Jerome Whitehead and release Whitehead after three games as Stepien did. Stepien was basketball's Steinbrenner of that era, personally running his team and shopping for names. The draft picks he traded (they were four year college players then) basically built the excellent Mavericks team of the early 80s and got the Lakers James Worthy. Though it was more than just the draft pick trades. He was a bully and a segregationist, erratic and mean. But he also wasn't doing something that unusual for the times. There basically was no outside TV money in that era, so teams needed gate receipts just to stay in business. A half dozen teams including the Cavs might not have, which led to the pioneering salary cap, the first in American pro sports in 1983. It's also why five teams passed on Larry Bird in the 1978 draft. Teams needed players immediately. So Stepien wasn't nuts about that part. But he was so divisive with the players and the community that the NBA sent in its young lawyer/fixer David Stern to broker a sale and get Stepien out of the league. David Stern made things happen. Stern had a passion for the NBA that a parent has for a child. When someone was damaging the NBA, he might not exactly follow proper procedure. But the league would be better. And it was when Gordon Gund bought out Stepien in 1983.

So basically... The Bulls signed DeRozan to a 30year contract, which ends when Zion Williamson becomes a free agent. The Pelicans will probably hire 2 more head coaches by then. They already traded Zions great friend Lonzo. After 3 more years of disappointment in NO... Zion will want to reunite with Lonzo in a big market.... Chicago. Great job AK and ME.

ask-sam-mailbag-derozan-lonzo-everything-about-bulls-free-agency

Ask Sam Mailbag: DeRozan, Lonzo, everything about Bulls free agency

It's safe to open your eyes and be bullish on the Bulls again.

In a matter of a few days of NBA free agency, the Bulls may have gone from a sub-.500 Eastern Conference hopeful to a veteran, All-Star laden team that should compete with most of the elite in the conference, perhaps not unlike the 2010 free agency makeover that vaulted the Bulls from a playoff hopeful to the winningest record in the NBA.

The Bulls now will start three All-Star players in their primes, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic from the trade with Orlando in March and DeMar DeRozan, the four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA player who comes to the Bulls via free agency in a sign-and-trade maneuver.

The Bulls in the frenzied free agency week also established the franchise with a new brand in acquiring restricted free agent point guard Lonzo Ball, the former No. 2 overall Lakers draft pick, from the New Orleans Pelicans and dynamic guard Alex Caruso from the 2020 Lakers champions.

The cost spread around to the San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets included a future first round draft pick, three second round picks, Thad Young, Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, Al-Farouq Aminu and Daniel Theis. Ryan Arcidiacono's team option was not picked up. Cristiano Felicio signed overseas and the Bulls gave up their Bird rights with Denzel Valentine. Lauri Markkanen still remains on course to play next season on a one-year qualifying offer.

Several of the departing players were valuable contributors for what became a disappointing Bulls season in 2020-21.

It thus leaves the Bulls with just four players, LaVine, Coby White, Markkanen and Patrick Williams, among the 15 who were on the opening day roster last December. It's one of the most complete and remarkable transformations in franchise history and gives the Bulls their strongest lineup since that free agency remodeling in 2010.

Coming off a .500 season in 2009-10, the Bulls anchored by Derrick Rose remade the roster with the additions of Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, Kurt Thomas, Omer Asik, Kyle Korver and Keith Bogans. It was an initial disappointment because of the failed recruitment of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.

But that scrappy overhauled Bulls team with scoring and depth won the most games in the NBA, a 21-game improvement from 2009-10 and appeared on the verge of an NBA title the following season when Rose suffered a serious knee injury in the first game of the 2012 playoffs and was lost for a year. Still, the Bulls persevered and in 2014-15 knitted together their last star driven team that resembles this group assembled by Vice-president of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas and his staff. That 2014-15 Bulls teams with three All-Star level players with Rose, Pau Gasol and an emerging Jimmy Butler won 50 games, knocked out Milwaukee and young star Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round of the playoffs and then held a 2-1 lead against Cleveland in the conference semifinals. But in a bizarre close, James made a winning Game 4 shot to match Rose's from earlier and the Cavaliers won in six games. The Bulls came apart the next season and missed the playoffs, trading Rose in 2016 and then Butler in 2017 to begin the rebuild.

Under the leadership of Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls have been completely rebuilt in a short period of time.

But after three inept season and two coaches, the Bulls hired Karnisovas to reconstruct the organization. He hired coach Billy Donovan and then in March traded two first round draft choices and Wendell Carter Jr. for Orlando All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. The team was unable to regain its footing when LaVine had an extended absence because of Covid-19. But the Vucevic addition was just the appetizer.

Karnisovas dug in for the main course once free agency began last week.

First, he addressed the yawning omission of a high level point guard to buttress the scoring of LaVine and Vucevic. Karnisovas put together a sign-and-trade package that enabled the Bulls to acquire 23-year-old Lonzo Ball, the swift 6-6 fourth-year point guard who last season for New Orleans averaged 14.6 points and 5.7 rebounds. Ball fixed his awkward jump shot enough to shoot 38 percent on threes and raise his free throw shooting percentage to 78 percent from below 50 percent his first two NBA seasons.

Ball, who also is a recorded rap singer, is an excellent transition offensive player who could recreate the former Clippers hip hop Lob City game with the high flying LaVine. Ball is excellent against pressure defense, which confounded the Bulls last season, and a top defender against the opponent's point of attack.

Lonzo Ball, formerly with the Pelicans, defends a driving Zach LaVine.

Though the surprise coup was the addition of the 6-6 DeRozan, who was sought by several teams and rumored to be joining the Lakers at the request of James. But Karnisovas put together a package for the Spurs and an appealing contract that effectively enabled the Bulls to acquire two of the top 10 free agents from this class in Ball and DeRozan.

DeRozan, 32 earlier this month, is one of the game's elite scorers, having averaged more than 20 points per game in his last eight seasons as as much as 27. He joins LaVine as a player who has scored at least 50 points in an NBA game while Vucevic has scored more than 40 points several times. With that Big Three trio, the Bulls are capable of being one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA to match any in an era when scoring is so much emphasized.

DeRozan also gives the Bulls an alternative with his mid range game that is regarded among the best in the NBA, and also being a player like LaVine who is adept at taking big, closing game shots.

LaVine and Vucevic can stretch the floor with their excellent three-point shooting, both around 40 percent last season, while Ball can provide change-of-pace play with his fast break offense and passing.

With second year phenom Patrick Williams likely at power forward and showing offensive prowess in Summer League, the Bulls can boast high level offense and defense from Ball and Williams.

Not to balance too heavily to the offensive side, Karnisovas dragged the popular 27-year-old Caruso away from the Lakers. The 6-4 point guard fond of head bands was not only a fan favorite but a favorite of LeBron James for Caruso's unrelenting play on defense. Though primarily a reserve, the Lakers relied on Caruso to start and play more than 30 minutes in their championship winning Game 6 in 2020. Both Jimmy Butler and Duncan Robinson had sub-par scoring games amid Caruso's defensive harassment. Caruso isn't a prolific scorer, but he shot 40 percent on threes last season.

With the loss of the popular Theis to the Houston Rockets as a free agent, the Bulls remain in the market for a big man and have several possibilities idling. Plus, the primary new additions are coming off their best or near best seasons.

Ball had his highest scoring and shooting season in 2020-21, DeRozan still averaging 21.6 points had a career high 6.9 assists as he continued to develop his game as a point forward type who can both score and create for others. Now with Ball, LaVine, Vucevic and DeRozan, the Bulls have four players with high level passing abilities. Vucevic ranked fourth among centers in assists behind only MVP Nikola Jokic, Bam Adebayo and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The team still has to live up to its new expectations. They come at it with eyes wide open. Ours, too, once again.

a-new-era-of-bulls-basketball-demar-derozan-lonzo-ball-and-alex-caruso-join-chicago

A new era of Bulls basketball: DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso join Chicago

Bulls Basketball Chief Arturas Karnisovas spoke to the Chicago media during his end-of-season press conference where he reflected on the trade for Nikola Vuevic, the lack of winning against quality opponents and the "three constant problems" the team couldn't overcome on the floor.

"We will not settle for mediocrity here," Bulls Vice-President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas said Monday in his first end-of-season media conference.

It's not the NBA's post season; just the Bulls. Which is the difficult part.

"We're going to add talent to our roster and from there get better and come back improved and better so we don't have to sit out another postseason," Karnisovas reiterated. "I don't like to watch postseason games now just because I'm not happy that we're not in it. I'm a competitive guy. Talking to all the players, they're disappointed. We're disappointed. And we're going into the next season to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Watch Arturas Karnisovas' full end-of-season press conference call with the media.

So perhaps Bulls fans may roll their eyes and say they heard that one before, mostly the last three seasons just before most of the NBA started the playoffs. This season it's particularly painful because the NBA expanded the format to add two teams for a play-in tournament beginning Tuesday. Though no one made any predictions, it seemed likely for the Bulls when the season began. And then almost certain when Karnisovas pulled off one of the biggest and most impressive Bulls trades in years, acquiring Orlando All-Star center Nikola Vucevic in late March with the Bulls still solidly in the top 10 and just three games out of fourth place in the conference.

But while the Bulls were looking up, someone opened a trap door of Covid absences and practice complications and rotation and playing style changes that enabled the Washington Wizards—then three and a half games behind the Bulls—to pass the Bulls, who finished 11th in the conference at 31-41.

It was the best Bulls winning percentage in four years, equivalent to about a 35-win season in a regular 82 games. But it was far below Karnisovas' apparent expectations and anticipation for his first season managing the Bulls. His makeover of the franchise hit all the right notes with a respected coach in Billy Donovan, aggressive and daring personnel maneuvers trading for Vucevic and Daniel Theis and signing Garrett Temple and drafting Patrick Williams. It all added up to a much improved team.

Which is why it's less science than circumstances sometimes.

All the right moves still can produce all the wrong results.

"I was mainly disappointed for our players and fans, that we are not still playing," said Karnisovas. "We lost a lot of close games early and throughout the year. Gradually dug ourselves into a hole we couldn't quite recover from. There were lots of games that we played for three and a half quarters. Learning to win often requires a transition period. That is part of what we are going through here. Consistency is the mark of a mature, developed team, a team that adapts to adversity. I get it, it's (Covid) protocols, lack of practice time, lack of rest. But every team was in the same situation. Resilient and mature teams rise above challenges. Our three constant problems, indicated by Billy as well, were turnovers, we were 27th in turnovers, fouling and not getting to the free-throw line. We were last in the league in getting to the free-throw line. That's aggression.

"Following the All-Star break," Karnisovas added, "we took a significant dip on offense. We stopped making shots. Actually, we finished defensively 12th in the league in efficiency. A lot of people were indicating that we struggled defensively, but the numbers are saying the last 15 games we were sixth in the league. And since the All-Star, we were eighth in the league. Defensively, we were fine. I thought that our biggest struggles were offensive droughts. You have to make shots to win games. We did not do that.

Zach LaVine, Daniel Theis, and Nikola Vucevic - the latter two being new additions to the Bulls via trade.

"We place expectations on our team about winning games," said Karnisovas. "We are certainly not satisfied. But we will learn from it, adjust and make sure what did not go well does not happen again. We will continue being aggressive in our efforts to make this team better whether that's through trades, free agency or the draft. We have an important summer coming up. We will evaluate this season and line up our priorities for the offseason."

So even based on Karnisovas' small sample here with bold coaching and player moves, expect a summer of personnel turmoil.

The only players likely assured to return are Vucevic, Zach LaVine, Coby White and Williams. It's conceivable given Karnisovas' home run approach to management that 10 of the 15 players on the roster may not return next season. That's because there are so many free agents and players with team options or contracts not fully guaranteed.

The Bulls can create more than $20 million in salary cap room to pursue free agents, but that would require a massive roster overhaul. They gave up their 2021 and 2023 first round picks in the Vucevic trade, though if the pick is top four this year the Bulls retain it. While that would be a coup with the trade for Vucevic, draft picks count on the salary cap. So the Bulls then could opt to go over the salary cap, sign or retain some players and use cap exceptions to add players. The Bulls have a second-round draft pick this season and last year's Marko Simonovic, who is still playing overseas. Karnisovas said it's possible he could be added, though that's also uncertain for now.

It suggests an anxious offseason with the draft lottery June 22 and the draft July 29. There's also going to be a Summer League in August, at which Williams said he'll participate, and likely a return to a regular schedule with training camps possible in October.

There's no denying this season's result was disappointing for the Bulls, and as much unexpected, especially with the acquisition of Vucevic, who averaged 21.5 points and 11.5 rebounds and shot 39 percent on threes as a Bull. LaVine remained one of the highest scoring players in the league, though he missed 11 games late in the season with Covid.

"The disappointment is short term, which is we assume that if you add another All-Star to your roster, usually you get better and improve your record," said Karnisovas. "It's a result-driven business. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. But we are happy to add ‘Vooch' into this equation. It's very seldom you get an opportunity to add an All-Stat and we went after it.''

Nikola Vucevic averaged 21.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in 26 games played for the Bulls.

That opportunity was often mentioned as the serendipitous reasoning for the trade. But Karnisovas indicated there was more to it the way the team was playing. Less than Vucevic falling into the Bulls hands, it seemed just as much that Karnisovas sought a major change watching the team play the first half of the season.

"We go 16-18," Karnisovas pointed out. "And all our 16 wins are against .500 and below teams, right? We come off the All-Star break. We start 3-6 and the three wins are against Toronto, OKC and Detroit. In our losses, a bunch of times we had no chance."

In other words, you were going to need more than development to go anywhere with that talent. So Wendell Carter Jr. became part of the Vucevic trade, and Lauri Markkanen and Coby White were benched. Though White fought his way back into the starting lineup and averaged 17.6 points and shot 40 percent on threes in those last 18 starts.

But Karnisovas also said the team's immediate flaws were obvious, which suggests the direction of personnel moves. Karnisovas focused on poor shooting and the lack of scoring and being tougher and more aggressive in getting to the basket. His comments acknowledged some new realities of the NBA, that you have to match scoring first because of the three-point line and teams being so adept offensively. And a modicum of defense is enough the way the NBA has mostly legislated defense out of the game with so much scrutiny on perimeter contact.

So look for the Bulls to concentrate on a wing scorer; perhaps a so called 3-and-D player who is catch-and-shoot oriented and a scoring point guard. Or if White serves as the scoring point guard with Vucevic doing considerable playmaking inside, then a wing/small forward playmaker/scorer to fill out the starting five.

"I think when you have a foundation of let's say two All-Stars in one place, I think it's easier to add additional things that we need," said Karnisovas. "So we're going to discuss the needs of the team and we'll attack it during free agency.''

Karnisovas is not permitted to address contract specifics and personnel possibilities by league rule. Plus, transactions are not permitted until teams are out of the playoffs. The playoffs could stretch to July 22. Karnisovas did offer some observations about the team's main players:

On Lauri Markkanen: "I thought Lauri had a good year. I thought he was more efficient. He's a 40 percent three-point shooter. You know shooting comes at a premium in our league, and I think Lauri is an essential part of our team and we hope he is a part of what we're building here. So I'm looking forward to free agency and talking to his representation.''

Coby White: "Coby went through a lot this year, ups and downs. I think there was a lot of growth. Coby coming off the bench and then coming back again to be the starter and adjusting to the addition of Vooch. That settled his game a little bit to catch-and-shoot. Minimized his turnovers. I think it's a great year for Coby overall. I think he's going to have a big summer. He knows exactly what he needs to work on. What is point guard these days in the league? All point guards have to score, right? He's going to keep on adding things to his game. He fought for the starting job. He showed some improvement. So I'm expecting him for next year to show up and be better than he was this year."

Patrick Williams: "Regarding Patrick, we're very excited for him. He's been through a ton this year. Learning experience, 19 years old. I don't think there's a player on the team that was asked to do more than Patrick. He guarded always the best player on the other team. And defensively, he was actually switching and playing different coverages, different positions. Usually when you get a young player, you build his arsenal. You add certain things to his skill set. Pat has a lot of those skills. It's just when he is going to choose to use them. We saw glimpses in the Brooklyn game of what this kid can do (career high 24 points). I think the sky is the limit for him. He's going to have a summer for the first time. He knows again what he needs to work on. I'm looking forward to seeing his growth. He came in a situation where winning is important besides the development piece. All that pressure he was facing this year I think will benefit him."

Zach LaVine: "Obviously, we're looking forward to talking to Zach in the future (about an extension and his future). I think looking at his numbers and how well he played this year, he improved in points, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free throw percentage, assists, rebounds. He was a much better player this year. We're going to ask players to do more. Because obviously the results are telling us it's not good enough. He's looking forward to the challenge."

arturas-karnisovas-we-will-not-settle-for-mediocrity-here

Arturas Karnisovas: "We will not settle for mediocrity here."

Bulls basketball chief Arturas Karnisovas met with the media prior to Chicago's Monday night game against Denver where he spoke about his thoughts on Billy Donovan, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and more.

Lonzo Ball? Andre Drummond? J.J. Redick? Kyle Lowry? John Collins? Al Horford? P.J. Tucker? Victor Oladipo? George Hill? Hassan Whiteside?

It sounds like the Bulls' concerns for the rest of this season are Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr, Wendell Carter Jr. and Coby White. And, sure, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, Thad Young and Tomas Satoransky.

"Right now we're focused on winning games because the separation between fourth and 10th place is a game-and-a-half. So this group is doing pretty well," Bulls Executive Vice-president of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas said Monday evening in his first media comments since the start of the regular season. "Hopefully we can get Lauri (Markkanen) back and OP (Porter) and see what we can do with this team. We had a pretty good month in February with a winning record.

"When the trade deadline comes (March 25), I think now 12 or 13 are in (the playoff mix) in the East," said Karnisovas. "So I just think teams are going to try to improve and there's not going to be a lot of sellers. I think we're just going to focus on our guys and how to get them better.