March 22, 2021: Deadline-A-Bull

So the NBA trade deadline is approaching; what are the Bulls going to do if anything? We can all agree that there is work to be done with the current roster, right? Yes, the Bulls are light years ahead of where they were last year; this time under Coach Donovan’s watch has been enjoyable. Seeing the guys on our current roster play with real guidance/coaching was important in order to evaluate our talent; what do we have, what do we need? Have we seen enough, have we had enough time to make this proper evaluation? AK is in a great position to do this in my opinion. He’s new enough to get the benefit of the doubt in whatever he decides is best, especially after the surprise draft pick has turned out to be looking really good; one of the two untouchables on this roster? So if Zach and Patrick are untouchable, then everybody else is up for discussion? I think that’s right.

The Bulls currently sit 1.5 games out of the 8th seed, or as some may define it, NBA hell; I don’t see it that way. I think making the playoffs this year, regardless if it’s an 8 seed, is an important growth step for this team. Look, the Bulls are not there yet; I don’t think anybody would disagree with that one either. For as much as they’ve improved this year, there is still that much more to go, to get to the level of competing for an NBA title. Making the playoffs a year removed from the Boylen/Gar Pax era would be quite the accomplishment; again, that is only a step. The long term goal is not just to make the playoffs, but to get to the top of the Eastern Conference. The balance between the short term goal and the long term goal is one that has to be kept in mind at the trade deadline.

For instance, let’s take Thaddeus Young, better known as Thadgic Young. He just played his 1,000th game I believe; that’s a pretty cool accomplishment. That being said, it certainly doesn’t feel like he’ll be here when the Bulls take that next step, but… he could certainly contribute to completing our first step of making the playoffs. To trade or not to trade? Maybe that’s an easy one. Let’s get a little harder: what about Coby White, Lauri Markannen, and Wendell Carter Jr? I like all three of those guys; they’ve all showed flashes of being great, but nowhere near being consistent with it. Are they still “getting there”? Have we seen enough, more importantly, has AK and Donovan, assuming Billy will be involved in this process, to make that decision? If so, then act upon it. If right now, they know that one or more of them is NOT in the long term plans, get the most for them that you can. However, that brings in the other wrinkle. Not only will it effect our short term goal, but what real value do they have right now? I just feel like we’re going to get shorted for giving up somebody that we thought could be a building block here in Chicago. If that’s the case, then hold steady. It may not be the popular thing to do at the deadline, but sometimes the unpopular move is the right one.

I’ve enjoyed the heck out of watching the Bulls this year. Sure, I hate seeing them blow big leads, like to Denver and San Antonio; they still need to get better at closing games out… playing 4 consistent quarters. I knew that Utah would take our lunch; they are really good… a team that the Bulls can strive to be like. The Bulls have proven they’re as good or better than half the league; there’s that other half to go. How do we get there? Maybe this trade deadline will be the next piece of the puzzle… Go Bulls!