Tis the Season

The holiday season is upon us and Chicago fans have already received an early gift, courtesy of the front office everyone loves to hate's timely decision to trade Jimmy Butler with his value at its highest. Given the season Kristaps is having thus far, as well as the legend that Dirk is, these numbers even in small sample size should excite you. With very similar starts in age and background, as well as unique skill sets, early signs point to Lauri possibly being further along than either of the other two comparisons upon entering the league. Both physically and mentally, early on Lauri has showed just how "soft" he is by playing above average defense against some of the leagues best big men (Gasol, Ibaka, Aldridge, Davis, Cousins and so on) to this point while averaging nearly a double-double and shooting 43% from the field. The eerily similar complaints Markkanen and Porzingis had recieved from their rookie fan bases upon being drafted is both humorous and ironic. While fans booed and continued to cry about the ineptitude of the Bulls front office Markkanen was headed home to Helsinki, Finland to play for the national team in a FIBA tournament during the summer. Where he once again posted numbers greater than "the Unicorn" Porzingis.

Lauri was playing under one of Nowitzki's former coaches Henrik Dettmann who said the only thing keeping Lauri from reaching a Dirk level of play is his continued dedication to improve. Given Lauri's character and early show of resilience, fans should have no reason to doubt he will continue to improve. Game by game, year by year. The Kraken looks to be a key fixture moving forward for this currently rebuilding franchise. The scariest part is the Bulls have failed to use him to the best of his abilities consistently, yet. With countless mismatches nightly and a starting point guard too scared to take the risk to make the entry passes, Markkanen could easily be averaging over twenty points per game already. We wont even get into the foul calls and lack there of foul calls that could increase his numbers, as well as the teams. But the rookie is soon to earn the full respect of the referees as well as his fellow NBA peers if he continues to improve and maintain these stellar early stats. Already getting praise from the most highly respected people around the league such as Lebron and Popovich for his unwavering confidence this early into his career. There is no way Lauri goes to the bench with the return of Portis versus Toronto (for his first game back from his suspension). Everyone always talks about how much the Bulls love revenue, well Markkanen just gave fans a reason to buy tickets to every home game even before LaVine returns. My hunch is the kid earned the starting job and may never be a back up again. (thank you BP?)



For some fans the return of Bobby Portis may be more of coal in their stocking instead of presents. After the initial reports of Bobby "cheap shotting" Nikola Mirotic in a practice altercation and sending Niko to the hospital with a concussion and fractured/broken face, I would've agreed with you completely. Dropping Portis was a possibility at absolutely no cost to the Bulls because he had voided his contract by hitting a teammate. But as more information continued coming out as the days and weeks went on it became increasingly more clear to me that there had to be more to the story. The reports are Niko charged and shoved Portis twice, on the second rush Bobby threw one punch. His teammates told the media he apologized to them, but that it wasn't really even needed, it was understood. That statement alone makes you wonder what went on in the gym that day. Was it fierce competition gone wrong or something personal? We will likely never know unless one of them talks upon being traded. The in house and league collaborated punishment for Portis was 8 games, with the ability to practice with the team. The majority of the front office witnessed this "altercation" first hand and just like Portis's teammates at least internally felt his actions were both unacceptable but also understood. Anyone who has ever been in a fight outside of an organized ring knows that thrash talking and shoving are the two things that lead to a punch being thrown. John Paxson denied the reports of the punch being a "cheap shot" and the punishment was assessed accordingly. Portis is accepted and liked by his fellow young Bulls who he put a lot of time in with this offseason. So if you're expecting Portis to be traded for half of a penny in the next few weeks, sorry to disappoint you. These are grown men who do not look at things like fighting as something as vicious as the increasingly sensitive public does, and frankly their chemistry is more important than mine our anyone else's opinions. You may not want to build a culture on teammates fighting each other but giving second chances and uniting as a whole during strange/bad times is something to take from this situation (plus Markkanen started because of it). Bobby returns against the Toronto Raptors November 7th, he should add some stability to a rather G-League second unit and hopefully show signs of play that improves his value to the Bulls and other teams around the league. But for now trading Portis for an empty bag of chips wouldn't be ideal.



Speaking of trades the Bulls are linked to one potential legitimate trade for Jahlil Okafor. Who has finally spoken out about his role and the situation in Philadelphia. He is currently seeking a trade or buyout, the 76ers are not willing to give him a buyout even after declining his fourth year rookie option. Which could lead to an early Christmas present for those of us dreading the idea of Felicio as a starter if Robin Lopez is traded (which the Bulls should do for Clevelands 2018 1st). The main hold up is that if traded for, the team he ends the season with cannot offer him more than his declined option of roughly 6.3 million in unrestricted free agency. Meaning if Okafor were to show potential as a starting center consistently the Bulls could easily lose him after this season. Now the opportunities that would be presented to him in Chicago, minutes wise as well as team potential could persuade him to stay in his home town, even if he has to take a minor discount in the 2018 season. Starter minutes and the ability to mesh properly with a new core is just what this big man needs. To do it in his home town would be a plus for him and Bulls fans. The trade would not cost the Bulls much, likely a cap filler player like Cam Payne and a future 2nd round pick. So the risk is much lower than the potential reward given Philly's mishandlings. Now for the unrealistic, yet not so unrealistic, currently imaginary trade for the worst contract in the NBA to acquire Brandon Ingram. Luol Deng has been getting paid close to 18 million dollars this year to be a healthy scratch for the young and improving Lakers. Earlier today (11/6/17) reports of Deng and his agent requesting a trade or buyout to the Lakers front office leaked/surfaced. Deng is due roughly 18 million dollars every season through 2019-2020, given the current cap structure of the league that is almost 20% of the teams salary. It is no mystery to anyone who follows the NBA closely that the Lakers intend to land some big fish in the 2018 offseason. Most notably they would love to draw Lebron James to the Western Conference for the first time in his career. James has a home in Los Angeles already so you don't have to look hard for conspiracy theories that'd guarantee you he is wearing purple and gold next season. But as history would suggest, Lebron would not come alone, he always brings friends.


To play in the Lebron sweepstakes you better have room for 2-3 stars or you can save the embarrassment of placing a bid. Having a player that doesn't even play taking 20% of the cap hinders that plan greatly, even with Brook Lopez and KCP's contracts expiring this year. Ingram and Deng's contracts combined are the equivalent of essentially another max contract. So the question the Lakers front office as well as the fan base has to ask themselves is...Do Brandon Ingram and Luol Deng put them in the playoffs next season? Brandon Ingram has showed solid signs of great potential but he is likely years off from reaching it. The Bulls have time and cap space currently, something that every other team is lacking at least one of. Lakers fans think I belong in a padded room for even thinking this is possible but, I think they belong in the padded room next to me if they think Jordan Clarkson or Julius Randle are good enough assets to take on Deng's deal. Laker nation has to look at  parting with Deng and Ingram as either Paul George or Boogie Cousins (maybe both) coming with Lebron to end their approaching almost decade long playoff drought (will be 6yrs if they miss this season). The situational value of a trade is always the main factor, in this situation it's not what the Bulls can give but what they can currently sacrifice/take. So why would the Bulls even want to take Deng's contract on and likely sit out going after big free agents until 2020 any way?



The Bulls current situation isn't going to be optimal for any of the big free agents in the next 2 years and frankly signing a soon to be over the hill star just to force a playoff showing isn't ideal for the Bulls either. Rushing this process or as I have dubbed it "The Transition" would only put us exactly where we were prior to trading Butler. Even with a big market that has already benefited Zach LaVine with a massive Adidas shoe contract (dunk championships didn't hurt either). The Bulls have failed to bring in the biggest of the big names on the market recently and rebuilding isn't going to improve those chances. So realistically the only way to get stars, or more of what they are looking for currently in young future stars is by trading and drafting. Luckily Ingram and Deng's contracts expire the same year, so picking up the two is legitimately the same thing as giving a player outside of LaVine a max contract to come join us. Their combined contracts are roughly 23 million in yearly salary through 2019-2020, at which time Ingram would be a restricted free agent. Deng would obviously be welcomed with open arms in his return to Chicago as well, especially if he is bringing a new toy along. His veteran presence and contribution to a position at small forward we currently lack depth in would certainly not go unnoticed either. The possibility of ending this season with all recent lottery picks for the starting line up, mainly on rookie contracts is all I want for Christmas this year. With hopefully another top 5 pick to add to the mix with our own 1st round pick in the draft this year. In one year the Bulls could go from mediocre but still irrelevant, to young athletic and full of potential on a proper timeline to take over the league as the two juggernauts (Lebron's team Vs. GSW) wear each other out and diminish over the next few years. In a season that is hard to watch at times and an age where I might get some sox and underwear for Christmas this year, I know what I'm asking Santa Claus for.