Bulls Remaining Roster Spot Discussion

[MGB8]

Can Millsap defend at all on the perimeter at this point?

[RastaBull]

I want Jarred Vanderbilt, Ntilikina, and Markus Howard.

S+T Lauri for Vanderbilt and a minor draft asset.

Sign Ntilikina and Howard with the MLE.

If we are trying to get something back when Lauri goes out, then best thing I'm hoping for is Minny and Jarred Vanderbilt. I really liked Vanderbilt coming out of his draft. (thought in his limited games as a Freshman he had some Iggy vibes/potential).

The minutes were not there at all his first two years. I'm thinking it's in part because he came out as a freshman, but his type of game/role demands developing your body more or at least understanding how to use it in a totally different way again biggest bodies. So it took two years of probably not showing he's ready in practice, before he was able to really earn some minutes.

He's always been 6'9" ~215lbs it looks like. (with a 7'1" wingspan).

But this year he got 18 mpg (60 games, starting 30). What I love from his stats and the limited eye test I saw of him is defense!!! He has the body and length that Pat Williams doesn't quite have. But he delivered this year.

Per36: 11.6 reb, 2.0 stl, 1.5 blk. Also: 122 off rating to 110 def rating (not that you can take a whole lot from that).

If we go into season with two young guys like Bradley and Vanderbilt on the front line I would be ecstatic! Great buy low options on promising one-trick ponies, that have potential for more. And their "one-trick" for both is one that is badly needed around. They have necessary size to body up against offensive big men (Vanderbilt against forwards/Bradley against centers). Will they be the defensive stoppers that I believe every top team needs? Not this year. But they are still so young that they could develop into true defensive stoppers, and to have two of them increases likelihood that one does develop into that higher potential.

[Rose2Boozer]

Omari Spellman will use SL to springboard his way onto the regular season roster.

[RastaBull]

I pray for Lauri to Minny for Vanderbilt and a draft asset (top 20 protected first? That conveys into two seconds after several years).

And then still add Paul Millsap

Millsap+Vanderbilt add perfect compliment to each other for additional forward minutes. Millsap is a vet with lots of playoff experience. He's a strong body, he's used to throwing himself up against star frontcourt players and making them hurt a little even if they are going to get their buckets. He's 36 though, so you need another legit back up forward so you can give Millsap plenty of rest and preserve him for some possibly vital playoff minutes.

Vanderbilt is so young, Millsap can provide some mentorship. Vanderbilt can continue developing in practice and maybe more limited in-game minutes (18-22 mpg, getting more on Millsap rest days). Vanderbilt also has his own injury history, so Millsap and Vanderbilt together are potential covers for each other's.

I think/hope Williams is able to start year at PF, but he's going to logically get a lot of SF minutes too.

Lonzo/Caruso/Ayo
Lavine/White/Green
DDR/Brown
Pat/Millsap/Vanderbilt
Vuc/Bradley/Marko

So much versatility. So much coverage for the missed games that will pop up throughout a regular season.

3 quality PG, and Lavine and White can pop in for minutes (if injuries need them for 2nd unit min.)
2 pure SG (Lavine+White), and another 4 to step in in big or small lineups (Lonzo/Caruso and DDR/Brown)
3 pur SF (DDR/Brown/Pat), and Lonzo and Lavine can play in three guard lineups
Forcing a SF to try PF, but 3 real/capable PFs for backup (Millsap, Vanderbilt, Bradley ... maybe even Marko for some spot stretch 4)
3 CENTERS ready to play

[MGB8]

Omari Spellman will use SL to springboard his way onto the regular season roster.

Quite possible. Or Bey. Or even Baxter, part deux (this time he jumps).

[Almost Retired]

AK, stop your search. I'm available at the ultra-minimum minimum. Make me the 15th dude. You don't even have to order me a uniform. I'd be damn happy in street clothes at the end of the bench cheering the boys on. Just throw in free parking and I'm down. As for stats I'm pretty sure I can still hit about 70% of my free throws. From "3" I'm rusty so figure 10% or so. dude. Hit me up. I'll meet you in Vegas for summer league.

[BahamaBull]

Omari Spellman will use SL to springboard his way onto the regular season roster.

Im ok with that

[Elton_Brand]

I would take a look at Paul Millsap. Yes, he is 36 but we are in win now mode. He was AKs 4 next to Jokic in Denver.

He had a solid season last year...Is an UFA...Not the best option but take a look at the market...Theres not much out there.

He was productive, healthy, great attitude, good presence at practice. If Bulls can afford him, he’d be great. 1 year guarantees, 2nd year option (mitigates risk from injury)

[R3AL1TY]

They most likely will pickup one or two 2-way contract guys after summer league.

[HomoSapien]

Watch on YouTube

Spellman actually looks intriguing and checks a lot of boxes. Why wasn't he in the NBA last season?

[bad knees]

I pray for Lauri to Minny for Vanderbilt and a draft asset (top 20 protected first? That conveys into two seconds after several years).

And then still add Paul Millsap

Millsap+Vanderbilt add perfect compliment to each other for additional forward minutes. Millsap is a vet with lots of playoff experience. He's a strong body, he's used to throwing himself up against star frontcourt players and making them hurt a little even if they are going to get their buckets. He's 36 though, so you need another legit back up forward so you can give Millsap plenty of rest and preserve him for some possibly vital playoff minutes.

Vanderbilt is so young, Millsap can provide some mentorship. Vanderbilt can continue developing in practice and maybe more limited in-game minutes (18-22 mpg, getting more on Millsap rest days). Vanderbilt also has his own injury history, so Millsap and Vanderbilt together are potential covers for each other's.

I think/hope Williams is able to start year at PF, but he's going to logically get a lot of SF minutes too.

Lonzo/Caruso/Ayo
Lavine/White/Green
DDR/Brown
Pat/Millsap/Vanderbilt
Vuc/Bradley/Marko

So much versatility. So much coverage for the missed games that will pop up throughout a regular season.

3 quality PG, and Lavine and White can pop in for minutes (if injuries need them for 2nd unit min.)
2 pure SG (Lavine+White), and another 4 to step in in big or small lineups (Lonzo/Caruso and DDR/Brown)
3 pur SF (DDR/Brown/Pat), and Lonzo and Lavine can play in three guard lineups
Forcing a SF to try PF, but 3 real/capable PFs for backup (Millsap, Vanderbilt, Bradley ... maybe even Marko for some spot stretch 4)
3 CENTERS ready to play

Remember that the BYC rules apply to any S&T involving Lauri or Vanderbilt. In order to do a double S&T, they basically will have to make approximately the same amount of money. I don’t see that happening.

[ArtMorte]

A Lauri sign-and-trade for another PF seems almost inevitable now, I fully expect it to happen.

I know positions are flexible, but Pat's full potential lies in the small-forward role, imo. If he doesn't become that good, maybe then he needs to turn into one of these role player PFs who just sit in the corner three spot and play hard defense.

[PrimzyBulls81]

Yeah, we will almost for sure pick up one of these guys on SL team for backup PF, Spellman or Shittu. It will depend on players wishes, ambitions and team option to offer playing time.
We wont spent more than minimal wage for 3rd string PF, soo thats why we wont get Millsap maybe and also another guy like Vanderbuilt or McDaniels.

I always liked Spellman while he was in GSW, what happened to him last season?

[Andi Obst]

Watch on YouTube

Spellman actually looks intriguing and checks a lot of boxes. Why wasn't he in the NBA last season?

IIRC he has really struggled to stay in shape so far in his career.

[Am2626]

I'm not sure what dollar amount Lauri is looking for, but there were rumors at one point linking him to Minnesota - a S&T that brings back McDaniels, Vanderbilt, and Hernangomez gives us that forward depth we're looking for.

That would be a nice return for the Bulls. If that deal is on the table the Bulls should take it.

[SaNdMiRkS]

I wanted Markus Howard over Devin Dodson last yr when they were doing tail-end draft signings! What a mistake that was. I knew Howard would see success in the NBA. Dodson is the absolute sh*ts. It's painfully ironic that AK's former team snagged Howard...

[Andi Obst]

We're talking about the Wolves, so who knows, but there should be no way they include McDaniels in a Lauri S&T. He's exactly the kind of guy you need next to KAT, is super young and on a cheap rookie deal.

[E-DC]

Last Season's TS Add of Each Player on the Current Roster
156.8 - Lavine
42.5 - DeRozan
29.3 - Bradley
9.2 - Green
-11.7 - Williams:
-17.0 - Caruso
-19.3 - TBJ
-30.7 - Ball
-35.9 - Vuc
-61.9 - White
NA - Ayo
NA - Simonovic

[sco]

So with 2-3 remaining roster spots and 1 2-way, what do folks see as our needs (feel free to comment with and without Lauri)?

With Lauri, I'd look for a defensive 4. Milsap probably wouldn't come if he's behind Lauri, so maybe a guy like Bell. Anyone know anything about Pelle is he a 4 or 5? Also, I think we need an offensively capable guy who could play next to Caruso and Brown...not sure it matters what position of PG, SG, or SF - The best guys, IMO would be Reddick (who may not want to be behind Coby) or Mike James. I'd be fine with guys like Moore, or even (gulp) Valentine.

Without Lauri, I would be still focused on above, plus an offensively skilled big. Milsap would become a viable option. Aldridge would be great too. Fallback would be guys like Vonlehs or Ilyasova.

2-way, looks like we're going outside of our SL roster...not really sure who is floating around that might be good...thoughts?

[nomorezorro]

post-lauri trade, there are two spots left and i think we could benefit from any of the following player archetypes:

1. legit 4/5
2. guard/wing shooter
3. stretch big (could overlap with 1)
4. defensive big (would almost certainly overlap with 1)
5. pure pg

i've been anti-millsap because i think he's pretty close to cooked and would rather chase someone younger, but it's hard to deny that he would probably tick a lot of boxes in the regular season.

looking at the depth chart on paper, the wing depth still seems kind of sketchy, especially because we're lacking reliable shooters. i don't really want to be relying on troy brown as a rotation piece, yknow? in practice, though, i'm sure we're going to see a ton of three-guard lineups, and if coby can establish himself as a catch-and-shoot specialist off the bench then that would shore things up on the shooting front.

if you're a lonzo skeptic and see ayo and coby as combo/shooting guards, we arguably don't have an actual point guard on the roster. i don't actually expect us to make a move here, but it's kinda weird!

in the end, i would guess we're gonna add a PF and save the last roster spot for trades/buyouts.