There are fewer than than three weeks until Bulls training camp. And there’s plenty of optimism and intrigue surrounding the season. Your questions, for the most part, reflect that.
Any chance we make the playoffs this year? — Dave H., Chicago
Um, sure? I’ve predicted over the summer that I don’t see it. I’m thinking 35-37 victories and the ninth or 10th seed. But I’ve also detailed here many times how bad I am at sports predictions. Look, if healthy, the Bulls should be more competitive. They’ve drawn widespread praise for their offseason moves. But moving from 22 victories to the playoffs is a big jump. And the rest of the Eastern Conference got better.
What do you expect the point guard rotation will look like? Will Coby White get 20 minutes a night? — “27th overall,” Chicago
You’re close. I’d guess he averages in the 20-24 minutes range. And, of course, on hot nights or nights he or the offense has it rolling, he’d go past that. Jim Boylen owns a ton of flexibility with the fact White, Tomas Satoransky and Zach LaVine can play on or off the ball. This is where Kris Dunn struggled the most last season. He never seemed to adjust to playing off the ball, particularly since he’s not an adept 3-point shooter.
If Tomas Satoransky starts, do he or Zach LaVine defend the opponent’s best offensive backcourt player? As you can tell, I’m concerned about Sato’s defense. — Johnny, West Haven, Conn.
Isn’t it Saty? I’ve seen both. But you want answers on his game, not his name. I’ll answer with my own question: You’re not concerned about LaVine’s defense? Even LaVine is since he proactively raised his need to improve in that area during his season-ending interview. There’s no reason LaVine can’t be a capable team defender. He’s athletic, long and quick. His issue has been awareness, particularly off the ball. As for Satoransky, I’ve yet to watch him play nightly. What I’ve seen in Bulls-Wizards games and on film is that he’s conscientious about transition and always willing to dive to the floor for loose balls. Like a lot of people his size, he struggles to guard smaller, quicker guards. But I have less concerns about his defense than you.
I’m curious what you see as the ceiling for Zach LaVine. I know he has his defensive deficiencies but with his athleticism and shooting stroke, it just feels like he could really tap into becoming a more efficient, higher caliber player. Do you see potential for that or think he doesn’t have another level? — Izzy, Frankfort, Ill.
His ceiling, to me, is All-Star but probably not All-NBA. LaVine took a jump with his efficiency, playmaking and decision-making last season. He puts the work in, so why can’t there be another? The fact he increased his free-throw attempts from 4.5 to 6 per game is an encouraging sign. He didn’t settle for hero shots as much and attacked the rim. His ability to score in big spurts is essential to the offense.
Does Bulls ownership prioritize winning a championship anymore? I can’t help but look at some of the other teams around the league and the willingness to win. Would Bulls fans be better off if ownership sold the team? — David, Los Angeles
First off, that’s not happening. Second, you’ve never watched Michael Reinsdorf during a game. He gets so emotional, often to point he has to leave his suite. What raises this question occasionally is the fact the Bulls only have paid the luxury tax once despite the franchise, like most sports franchises, rapidly gaining in value. The salary dump of Luol Deng to the Cavaliers to exit luxury tax territory in the wake of Derrick Rose’s second knee injury and season-ending surgery didn’t help. But that’s the thing: That’s the Reinsdorf’s stance. Get in championship contention and they’ll pay the luxury tax.
Before the luxury tax existed, they (rightfully) paid Michael Jordan back-to-back single-season salaries north of $30 million. With the take-a-shot signings of Dwyane Wade and Jabari Parker, they’ve even strayed from their typical philosophy of being mostly prudent with their spending. This team has a chance to be more competitive, so I’d expect the financial commitments like the ones to Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky to keep coming.
What is the goal for Lauri Markkanen this season? I’m starting to think he might be Niko 2.0. — Patrick, Chicago
Stay healthy is first. He has averaged 60 games through his first two seasons. The second goal is to recognize and take more advantages of his matchups. With a second straight offseason of added strength, which, in theory, won’t be lost to an elbow injury this training camp, he has the potential to overpower defenders down low. His shooting already is respected. And the Bulls need to do a better job of getting him the ball. That’s where Satoransky and Young could be great additions. Both are unselfish players who pass well. Mirotic had some solid stretches for the Bulls; his main issue was consistency. I see Markkanen’s ceiling as higher.
With Otto Porter Jr.’s player option looming, how well would he need to perform to validate opting out and renegotiating a new contract in what is forecasted to be a slow free agency summer in 2020? And how do the Bulls budget their money planning for many of their young guys finishing their rookie contracts soon in addition to Porter Jr.’s expiring contract? — Brian, Madison, Wis.
It’s less a question about how well he would need to perform and more whether he wants long-term security following this season. It was widely assumed, including by me, that Porter would automatically opt in because the $28.4 million salary for 2020-21 is so large. And he still very well may. But he’d certainly make more guaranteed money, albeit at a lower annual salary, if he opted out and signed a longer-term deal. Which is at least one scenario in which you could see the Bulls keeping him. As for the rookie scale contracts, it’s looking like a Kris Dunn extension isn’t an issue. And the way the Bulls structured this offseason signings, with partial guarantees on the deals for Young, Satoransky and Ryan Arcidiacono in the third seasons, has the future in mind. Trust me when I say management knows how to budget. They weren’t derisively called “the financial champs” by some in the fan base for nothing.
Why haven’t the Bulls shed Kris Dunn yet? Both sides want it to happen. Is it simply a matter of the Bulls not wanting to take any salary back without giving up draft picks to dump him? I would think they could trade him if they took back another player on a one-year deal. — Jimmy, Springfield, Oregon
It’s that well-worn adage: It takes two teams to make a trade. Demand isn’t high. I’ve written before that I’d be surprised if Dunn is still here past the February trade deadline. At that point, more teams could be motivated to make a deal. As for your scenario, I wouldn’t think adding a player on a one-year deal would dissuade the Bulls. In fact, they’d likely jump at that opportunity.
With injuries popping up for Chandler Hutchison already, what, if any, moves do you see the Bulls making to shore up their small forward depth? Are there any likely wing candidates that the Bulls could trade for with a package centered around Kris Dunn? — Nick, Glen Ellyn
As widely praised as Bulls management has been for their offseason, wing depth remains a legitimate question mark heading into camp. Not only do Hutchison and Denzel Valentine need to prove they can stay healthy, they need to produce consistently. Valentine played well, particularly as a starter, his second season. But he’s coming off an missed season to ankle surgery. Hutchison showed some flashes right before he went down with his season-ending toe fracture but needs to do more than rebound and push the ball in transition. Shaq Harrison can play some small forward, but his offense needs to improve. I don’t hear much trade value for Dunn currently.
Seeing a lot of excitement and high expectations for Wendell Carter Jr. this season from fans. I’m still irked by his offseason surgery and expecting him to have a year similar to last season. How much will this surgery set him back? — Brando, Barrington
Carter is nine weeks removed from surgery to repair a core muscle injury, basically a sports hernia. The issue had plagued him since high school and finally became painful enough to address. At the time of the surgery, the Bulls said rehabilitation would be six to eight weeks and he’d be ready for training camp. Recent photos posted by the Bulls show Carter working out at the Advocate Center.
And Carter also has spent considerable workout time with Chris Johnson, Jimmy Butler’s former on-court trainer. Carter still has plenty to prove, but I can tell you the internal optimism for his game, particularly defensively, remains super high. He can be a game-changer at that end with his advanced instincts.
