Options to fix the PF hole

[GoBlue72391]

My view is, what they have to trade realistically, is Coby. I base that on having Caruso, Dosunmu and Green, drafting Terry and signing Dragic. They saw this created a logjam at guard, it's not a surprise. Right now no team will give them an upgrade at the backup PF in exchange for Coby so the plan has to be wait until near the end of training camp.

The Bulls play Coby in the pre season and hope to showcase him so he looks attractive to potential trade partners. At the same time they wait to see which teams have that 2-5 year veteran PF who might be getting pushed to the bench by the rookie they just drafted or the 2nd year player who showed more than expected after an off season workout program. Now that team might think they might as well move on from that veteran on a rookie contract or a RFA deal instead of having him waving a towel on the bench.

It makes a lot more sense to wait until a deal develops than to act like so many posters and think they need to force a trade out of desperation sooner and maybe make a real mistake.

Coby playing well in meaningless preseason games isn't going to sway any teams one way or the other. If we can't get an acceptable PF for him now, then we'll probably never be able to.

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[MrSparkle]

Still think last year was particularly bizarre, how Pat, Javonte, DJJ, Caruso and Lonzo were all out at the same time for a long while. Literally our 5 best defensive players, all missing, leaving a rookie Ayo to be the lone beacon of defensive hope.

It allows this PF narrative to feast on itself.

Don't get me wrong; size with skills wins every time in basketball. You can't overcome size if the bigger team can run and shoot. I'd like a bigger team eventually. I was very happy when Lonzo was our PG. It's great having size advantage (or league-average) at 3+ positions at all times during a game.

With all those injuries, we started having size disadvantage at all 5 spots for big chunks of games, with multiple defensive sieves (Demar and Vuc, plus Coby). That's totally unsustainable, and if we have anywhere near last year's injuries, the same problem will happen, even if you download a generic PF like Thad or PJ. They're low-miinute guys who'd probably be best served playing spot-minutes at C anyway. If we're talking about all-stars like Draymond, Paskal or Davis, then of course it'd be a dream to add them in the Bulls' starting line-up, without having to expend much more than Pat and Coby.

Losing Gallo to Boston was a blow. He would've been a nice cheap addition; killed 4 birds with 1 stone (size, shooting, PF, vet/IQ). I'm certain a two-way 4 is on the Bulls' radar, like Crowder. Gotta be a bargain pickup, because I know that the FO isn't dreaming the impossible with this squad.

Realistically, I have no problem letting this team be a developmental squad it is. The "PF problem" is actually just a 1-8 problem. Our 5 best scorers can't defend, our 5 best defenders can't score, our best 2-way player is injured (Lonzo), and our 4 most talented young players are still really bad NBA players.

If Zach, Lonzo and Caruso stay healthy for 70+ games and are 90-100% in post-season, we'd be a different animal. You could play Javonte and DJJ at PF. With them all injured or hampered, our backcourt is the worst in the league, and it ends up being a Demar iso show with no defense.

[Michael Jackson]

The PF narrative is a problem, there is a lot of weight on Pat's shoulders. I like the addition of Drummond honestly, low money spent well (I get the cap thing and saw what was out there I would prefer something better but it wasn't there) We still need another PF there is no doubt but it wasn't for the taking honestly. Center the Bulls are fine with Vuc/Drummond/Bradley. I don't value the C position much in the modern NBA and Vuc paid dividends in making the team "mediocre" from being absolute bottom feeders. Still don't like him but he was worth the risk. PF seems tough to fill right now and we have nothing. Not sure Gallo was perfect but a better option but the Bulls just lost on that. Crowder would be ideal but the Bulls weren't a real contender and that one addition of a guy like Gallo or Crowder shores up the team but doesn't really put them there. All that being said for the money they had to spend (limited not just because of "tax" but cap rules too) and what was available there wasn't much to be done realistically. Maybe they use the rest of the MLE (wouldn't hold my breathe) at the trade deadline or waiver wire but still not sure much will come of it. We need more than Pat but I can't find a "realistic" solution to it personally.

[ShouldaPaidBG]

Terry is a 4

[prolific passer]

Time machine and get a prime Duncan.

[sco]

Terry is a 4

Terry is a g-league level player right now. He needs a reliable outside shot to become a rotation-level player. And he's not even 200lbs, how is he a 4?

[Muzbar]

Terry is a 4

He's not.

He might be able to play it in very spot minutes/situations but he is far from a 4.

[sco]

I'm still holding out optimism that somehow Lewis' injury prompts AK to make a deal for Crowder. White/Green works dollar-wise. I'd be willing to add a 2nd to it if they take Marko too.

[chitownsports4ever]

There is no hole at PF

Read on Twitter

[sco]

There is no hole at PF

Read on Twitter

He's certainly upped his social media game.

[PJSteven22]

There is no hole at PF

Read on Twitter

Let’s wait until the season starts.

[khufure]

There is no hole at PF

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Let’s wait until the season starts.

4 sure! But some of those moves look legit. Like the dribble under the leg skill and hit the basket from his left. He looks like he's put in some work.

[sco]

https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-ranking-top-25-power-fowards-2022-23-giannis-davis-zion/

I like the list, but only because Lauri is right around the top of the 4th quartile.

Spoiler:

No PWill

[TheSuzerain]

Jonathan Isaac is a name to monitor as a 4/5. Obviously risk involved with his health, but guys of his caliber talent-wise aren't otherwise available in a trade.

Magic getting crowded in the frontcourt with Paolo, WCJ, Bamba, and maybe Wagner as a 3/4.

Good chance Magic retain him, but not unthinkable he gets moved.

[terry]

Jonathan Isaac is a name to monitor as a 4/5. Obviously risk involved with his health, but guys of his caliber talent-wise aren't otherwise available in a trade.

Magic getting crowded in the frontcourt with Paolo, WCJ, Bamba, and maybe Wagner as a 3/4.

Good chance Magic retain him, but not unthinkable he gets moved.

Jonathan Isaac has not played since the 2019-20 season, where he only played 32 games. He has not played in 2 full seasons. No thanks.

[drosestruts]

I'm surprised that with all the off-season workout videos of Williams surfacing there hasn't been exaggerated reports of how much he grew or how much muscle he gained. Maybe that will come with Media Day.

And as much as those same updates get made every year. Basketball-reference lists Williams at 6'7" 215 lbs. How much would he have to grow for you to no longer be concerned that he lacks size at the 4?

[Repeat 3-peat]

They have until the trade deadline to make a move if one is needed.

I'm fine on waiting to see if Pat takes a step forward, and I really liked what DJJ brought to the team last year before the injuries.

[PlayerUp]

Jonathan Isaac is a name to monitor as a 4/5. Obviously risk involved with his health, but guys of his caliber talent-wise aren't otherwise available in a trade.

Magic getting crowded in the frontcourt with Paolo, WCJ, Bamba, and maybe Wagner as a 3/4.

Good chance Magic retain him, but not unthinkable he gets moved.

He makes $17.4m per season. Think the Magic would move on from him now if they received a protected pick for him or an asset. He's turning 25 in October.

[sco]

Jonathan Isaac is a name to monitor as a 4/5. Obviously risk involved with his health, but guys of his caliber talent-wise aren't otherwise available in a trade.

Magic getting crowded in the frontcourt with Paolo, WCJ, Bamba, and maybe Wagner as a 3/4.

Good chance Magic retain him, but not unthinkable he gets moved.

He makes $17.4m per season. Think the Magic would move on from him now if they received a protected pick for him or an asset. He's turning 25 in October.

Yeah, that's a lot to risk on him, but maybe at the deadline as his injury status made his contract guarantee for next season only $7.6 million.

[dougthonus]

There is no hole at PF

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Let’s wait until the season starts.

4 sure! But some of those moves look legit. Like the dribble under the leg skill and hit the basket from his left. He looks like he's put in some work.

You can literally tell almost nothing from these types of videos without understanding the quality of competition and seeing a larger span. Someone posted a video of Andre Drummond crossing people over and dribbling between his legs and doing all kinds of random stuff.

The question is whether can you put all this together to do something great against elite defenders with consistency, and it's simply not one that can be answered with random youtube links.