NLL Insider - Team by Team: Chicago Bulls

by pistolpk, updated on Monday, October 02 2017, 09:00 pm EST

2016-17 Finish: 42-40

Season Highlight:

The highlight for the Bulls was making the playoffs and finishing a impressive 7th on the ladder. The last time the Bulls were in the playoffs was in 09/10, since that season Chicago hadn't finished above 12th in the East.

Season Lowlight:

Chicago started off the season like a bull out of the gate, knocking off some of the top teams. The low point was when the team hit a rough patch in the middle rounds, there was a chance of failing behind the pack and just missing out on playoffs. This was before Daz made a move to bring in a guy near the end of his career, not only did Dirk reinvigorate, the team secured a playoff spot with games to spare.

Best Trade:

Chicago had a few good trades, I think the most important trade made in the offseason just before shutdown, bringing in Robin Lopez to hold down the Centre position. In return Chicago Bulls send Brice Johnson and Jake Layman. Lopez played all 82 matches, averaged a double double, and was huge on defence with his 1.8 blocks and 1 steal a game, while shooting Field goals at 59% at the other end. Giving up a late 1st round and late 2nd round pick was well worth it.

Worst Trade:

The Chicago Bulls send Channing Frye to the Utah Jazz for GM points. Channing Frye was later traded to Miami to start, and turned into a game winner, just didn't get given the opportunity previously. I remember 1 game, it he was in the 4th quarter, he drained like 15 points to bring home an unlikely win against a top team, I have a feeling it was Cleveland.

Other Notable Trades:

Chicago Bulls send Evan Turner, Trevor Booker and a 2nd-Rounder (Hou) to the Charlotte Hornets send Dirk Nowitzki and Caboclo.

This was a great trade, Evan Turners contract was an albatros, Booker I probably rated higher than Daz did, for Dirk and the Brazilian Kevin Durant. Dirk was huge, he revitalised the team to get them back into the Playoffs. Hopefully they can stick onto him and get a bit more value.

Chicago Send Shaun Livingston and 2nd-Rounder (Chi) to the Philadelphia 76ers for Damian Jones and 2nd-Rounder (Atl) to the Chicago Bulls.

Shaun Livingston has been a quality NLL player, he just hasn't lived up to expectations this year. Getting a young prospect was a pretty even trade.

The Chicago Bulls send a 2nd-Rounder (Pho) and 2nd-Rounder (Pho) to the Detroit Pistons for Jose Calderon

Jose Calderon has had a quality career, and was bought in to fill a gap bummer he only lasted 8 games, I think Detroit won this one.

The Chicago Bulls send Tony Allen to the New Orleans Pelicans. The New Orleans Pelicans send Marco Belinelli to the Chicago Bulls.

I would keep Tony Allen over Belinelli every day of the week, so Daz had a master plan, just not sure on this one.

The Chicago Bulls send Jose Calderon, Alonzo Gee and a 1st-Rounder (Den) to the Indiana Pacers. The Indiana Pacers send Jamal Crawford to the Chicago Bulls.

This was cleaning out some rotation players, throwing in what looks like a late 1st rounder for a difference maker. Jamal can flat out score, he can also hold onto the ball and demand it off guys in better positions, I think Jamal is still the better player in this deal.

The Memphis Grizzlies send Mike Scott to the Chicago Bulls for 2nd-Rounder (Atl).

Now this could easily have been the deal of the season, Mike Scott was tearing it up, to bad the run didn't last.

The Chicago Bulls send Marco Belinelli and a 2nd-Rounder (Tor) to the Toronto Raptors for Garrett Temple.

Daz has really been working on his rotation players, this was another slight upgrade at the cost of a Second.

Best FA Signing:

Trevor Booker signs with the Chicago Bulls for $ 9046455 and 2 years. I thought was a great deal for a 77 rated Power Foward, who averaged almost a double double in 28 minutes. It was his 3 point shooting that may have let him down, Booker ended up finding his way out of the rotation in January and eventually traded on February.

Worst FA Signing:

Evan Turner commits to the Chicago Bulls for 4 years and $ 16,393,443. Evan turner can play but that is a crazy contract. He started 37 matches, averaged 12.8ppg but shot at a terrible 18% from behind the arc. The positive from signing Turner was moving him on to get Dirk.

Star:

Stephen Curry is an absolute star of the game, a constant threat from deep and a great facilitator. Last season his points reduced a little which wasn't a bad thing as he got his team mates more involved, averaging almost a double double with assists. The game is starting to take into account Curry's accurate 3 point shooting as he shot at 44% on 398 shots. This is Curryâ€™s team, yet he would be very excited to be joined in the backcourt by his splash brother team mate in Klay Thompson.

Surprise:

Mike Scott, this boy could play and was huge as the starting power forward for the Bulls. If only he could have stayed on the list at the Hawks or quickly found a new NBA team, Bulls had a unique weapon who was hard to stop from behind the arc.

Goat:

Recruiting staff.

The Bulls were never expected to do as well as they did, they jelled exceptionally well. Daz has spent a bit of time on this team moulding it to his vision of success. Making trades at important times kept this team current and were sneaky chance to progress in the playoff.

Draft Report Card:

Chicago didn't participate in the draft, trading out of this draft and the next.

Looking to the Future:

The future looks incredibly bright with Stephen Curry resigning in the NBA on a long term max deal, and should be an easy resign for the Bulls. Daz made a big splash bringing in Klay Thompson to make one of the best backcourts in the NLL will be exciting to watch. Klay is a unique talent with exceptional defence who can play both SG/SF roles. His 3 point shooting will spread the floor, creating gaps for the bigâ€™s down low, the question will be, who will take available of these chances.

Bulls have a projected line-up with Noah and Dirk starting, the risk will be old age and injuries. Will either get managed? Can they stay on the floor? Both are very talented, Noah is a smart big man, a great defender and an avid passer. Dirk is a superstar, with his length and the deadly one-legged fadeaway, he is hard to stop, but age has started to catch up with him.

Bulls have condenced there line-up, it will be interesting to see who they can pickup in free agency to fill out the depth chart.

Upcoming Free Agents:

Stephen Curry

Should be an easy resign, but sides seem very keen to continue their relationship.

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk was very happy to receive his payday last season, and is happy to take a cut this year for the better of the team. No bird rights so not sure if the Bulls can keep onto him.

Thabo Sefolosha

Sefolosha started every game he was available last season, his length can cause all kinds of trouble on offence for opposition teams. He has changed sides in the NBA, so may take a bit of work to bring him back.

NLL Insider - Team by Team: Chicago Bulls

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