The Chicago Bulls currently sit 11-19 in the eastern conference slotted as the 11th seed, 2 games behind the 8th seeded Magic. Both teams are below .500 for the season which means that again teams at the bottom of the eastern conference standings can have a losing record and still make the playoffs. Thus, leading me to write that if the Chicago Bulls do not make the playoffs this year a lot of people will have to be fired all throughout the organization.
However, the point of this blog is to highlight what I think the Bulls should do to help turn this season around before it is entirely too late.
Option 1,
The Chicago Bulls Trade
Lauri Markkanen
2020 First Round Pick, Top 10 protected
2024 Second Round Pick, unprotected
to
The Denver Nuggets For
Michael Porter Jr.
Torrey Craig
I have seen a lot this year from Jim Boylen encouraging Lauri to be a facilitator after he catches the rebound on the defensive end. He is encouraging Lauri to play more like a new era power forward, which is to follow the model of Draymond Green. However, consistently Lauri shows a lack of ball handling skills, vision, and passing ability, that leaves his attempts undesirable even when there are times it goes right. With a trade for Michael Porter Jr., the Bulls will have a natural player that can handle the ball, create shots for others and himself, and discontinue the Markkanen experiment for that role.
Markkanen would be a better option for Denver at the PF position because he offers more floor spacing, as he would present a better and more consistent shooting threat on the perimeter than Jerami Grant, who is struggling with being a good rebounder off the bench and shooting 61% from the free throw line. Markkanen would be a great back up to Paul Millsap in Denver because honestly that is where I see Markkanen having his best success in the NBA for right now. A good role playing big man. In Chicago, however, Markkanen's expectations are far greater than just being a good rotational piece.
Option 2,
The Chicago Bulls Trade
Lauri Markkanen
Ryan Arcidiacono
2020 First Round Pick, Top 3 protected
2022 First Round pick, unprotected
2024 Second Round Pick
to
The Philadelphia 76ers for
Ben Simmons
This would be great for the Chicago Bulls to pull off because again it would solve their issue with the lack of playmaking ability they have at the PF position with Markkanen. With Chicago, Ben would be the unquestioned ball handler, surrounded by guys who can space the floor, with Satoransky, Lavine, Porter Jr, and Carter Jr all being able to shoot around the perimeter. This will allow him to be the most deadly pick and roll player outside of Giannis in the East because if you double him he will find knock down shooters, or if played honestly attack the basket without the threat of a shot blocker in his way.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, it would solidify the power struggle between who is the best player and star of Philly. Most would suggest that the best player in Philly is Joel Embiid, but that is usually countered with the notion that Philly will only go as far as Simmons's jump shot would take them. So if you swap Ben with Lauri you make Embiid the unquestioned focal point of the offense. Allowing him to work out in the post to mid range area where he can take total advantage of his size and skill. Along with having the ability to pass to his shooters if he is doubled being Markkanen, Harris, Richardson, and Thybulle. Ryan Arcidiacono will serve as a rotational point guard off the bench who can shoot spot up 3's and play good defense.
Option 3,
The Chicago Bulls Trade
Kris Dunn
Chandler Hutchinson
2024 Second Round Pick Swap
to
The Detroit Pistons for
Derrick Rose
2024 Second Round Pick Swap
This would be a trade that would only happen if the Detroit Pistons ownership decide they are ready for a rebuild and open up to the fact that Detroit has no chance as constructed to be a contending team in the East. If they accept that Blake and Drummond can't coexist and they're willing to clean house then the Bulls should make this offer. Bringing Rose back now with the team presently constructed would take a lot of pressure off him to score. He will have players around him at every position to score, which will allow Derrick to do what he does best and that is breakdown the defense, find an open scorer, or finish at the rim. Not to mention it would be a nice coming home feeling, due to the fact that this year Derrick is playing phenomenal and is showing forms of his MVP days.
The Detroit Pistons would be getting two young raw prospects with chips on their shoulders to prove doubters wrong. They will be young defensive minded players like their Coach Dwane Casey likes and it can start their rebuilding process with young prospects, already a few years into the NBA. I'm sure within this process they will be able to grab more young prospects and first round picks for trading Drummond and Griffin. Helping to fast track their rebuild especially with this years draft coming up, with prospects like LaMelo Ball, Cole Anthony, James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards, and others coming into the NBA. If they elect to clean house and start from scratch there are a lot of NBA prospects in this coming NBA draft at the top who could be potential cornerstone pieces to a rebuild. Leading the Pistons to do what I feel is best for them to do, become competitive losers for a year.
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