Options to fix the PF hole

[jordanwilliams6]

How's that there Maxi Klieber guy doing?

What do you Bulls fans think of a Maxi + DFS+ center of choice for PatWill + filler? Probably not the sexiest package but Maxi and DFS are very good role players and could be huge in a championship run if that's the goal. Not sure how highly PatWill is valued here so don't flame me if this is way out of touch for you guys.

PWill is only getting moved for an all star back in return, not a couple of role players. His value far outstrips his current production though.

Maxi would be a good fit as a low usage shooter and plus defender for this team but Mavs aren’t going to trade him unless they get something that improves their team. Any interest in Coby White?

[Tutupa]

You can't reacquire a player you traded in the same season you traded him, so Thad is off the table.

Is that also applicable for Theis as he was sign and traded?

[Tutupa]

I really think Boucher can be a target.

- He is expiring, which makes him expendable for Toronto and interesting for us and our future payroll.
- Matchable contrat at 7M
- Rim protector
- Can spread the floor
- He is getting less minutes on the court for the Raptors (13.6mpg VS 24.2mpg last year). Birch and Barnes are getting minutes from him and you need to insert Siakam in the lineup soon (maybe in November?)

[Maverick41]

PWill is only getting moved for an all star back in return, not a couple of role players. His value far outstrips his current production though.

Maxi would be a good fit as a low usage shooter and plus defender for this team but Mavs aren’t going to trade him unless they get something that improves their team. Any interest in Coby White?

Understood, thought as much but wanted to gauge interest.

As for Coby, what's the deal with him? Would have thought he would be a very important cog on your bench. Mavs need another playmaker badly so someone like Coby would definitely be of interest.

[BullChit]

PWill is only getting moved for an all star back in return, not a couple of role players. His value far outstrips his current production though.

Maxi would be a good fit as a low usage shooter and plus defender for this team but Mavs aren’t going to trade him unless they get something that improves their team. Any interest in Coby White?

Understood, thought as much but wanted to gauge interest.

As for Coby, what's the deal with him? Would have thought he would be a very important cog on your bench. Mavs need another playmaker badly so someone like Coby would definitely be of interest.

Shoulder injury back maybe November...

The board is very split on Cobys importance and or impact on the team and id say the front office is too.

He is definitely probably the best piece we have for a possible trade but AK will want some time to see how he goes in a bench microwave scoring role.

[BullChit]

I really think Boucher can be a target.

- He is expiring, which makes him expendable for Toronto and interesting for us and our future payroll.
- Matchable contrat at 7M
- Rim protector
- Can spread the floor
- He is getting less minutes on the court for the Raptors (13.6mpg VS 24.2mpg last year). Birch and Barnes are getting minutes from him and you need to insert Siakam in the lineup soon (maybe in November?)

I'm a huge Boucher fan and think he'd be perfect for a back up role off the bench.

Klieber is my "probably“ attainable guy that would slot into the starting role really really well.

[Maverick41]

As a Mavs fan who watches Maxi on a daily basis, I think he would be the perfect fit on the Bulls. Limited player but does his job and doesn't make mistakes. Doubt we would give him up unless Cobi or PatWill is coming back through. Or some form of 3 way trade.

[aramada]

Pat is our primary wing defender (he got assigned Ingram and OG so far) with the size to take PFs (like Randle tonight). Players with Pat’s profile that are an upgrade on offense are not cheap, and a traditional PF or C wouldn’t work too well alongside DDR and Zach. I would give a look at Javonte Green first - his energy contrasts with Pat and he plays bigger than his size + his stint with starters in preseason was successful

[dougthonus]

You can't reacquire a player you traded in the same season you traded him, so Thad is off the table.

Is that also applicable for Theis as he was sign and traded?

I assume so, but I'm not 100% certain.

[biggestbullsfan]

I’m only disappointed that we struck out on 2 PF options and then said forget it. Aldridge/Milsap

However, Patrick Paterson is a free agent. Could be serviceable.

Cousins has matured and could be some size off the bench in limited stretches if he just wants to play.

[MGB8]

If you were looking at a trade for a serious player, you'd have to look at teams who are themselves not looking to succeed this season and willing to give up a fairly veteran player for younger assets. That lends itself possibly to Christian Wood - but he's more 5 than 4 - and also Jerami Grant (who is smaller than Pat and may not fit well with the rest of the Bulls).

For many other teams that might be in this boat down the line, it's too early. Washington has a bunch of combo forwards but they are playing well. Toronto might well be willing to trade Boucher - but are probably looking to move Siakam (for a load) first. Cleveland has Lauri and, what, Cedi Osman? And if the Bulls wanted Lauri at that price - a deal likely would have been done. But fit, etc.

If Jonathan Isaac is healthy, he could be a target out of Orlando... but he's doesn't even have a timetable to return to action (and would be a huge gamble - and then there's the vaccine complication).

If there's still a serious issue and the Bulls are basically desperate - well, first, take a look at DJJr.

If he's not good enough, the Bulls are better off looking at current FA 4 options and kicking the tires on them - despite the slim pickings. DJ Wilson wasn't able to beat out returning depth PF Jeremiah Robinson Earl or Isaiah Roby behind Bazely and Poku (and some wings) at the 4 for the Thunder, but he has played well in the past and has talent.

Jakaar Sampson, Marques Chriss and Dragan Bender are out there (and Bender played pretty well in a short stint for a bad Warriors team 2 years ago). James Ennis is a wing but at least brings energy as a poor-man's Jae Crowder. Alfonzo McKinnie is similar. Cam Oliver looked playable for the Rockets last year in a short stint - but didn't make the veteran Lakers. Rodion Kurucs looked good in his first couple seasons in the NBA but seemingly hasn't progressed (or even has regressed). Harry Giles (probably more a 5) was beat out by Hartenstein. The repentant but no longer young (and much more a 5) Meyers Leonard would likely be better than Giles.

[MGB8]

I’m only disappointed that we struck out on 2 PF options and then said forget it. Aldridge/Milsap

However, Patrick Paterson is a free agent. Could be serviceable.

Cousins has matured and could be some size off the bench in limited stretches if he just wants to play.

Cousins reportedly can't move well enough (and consistently enough) any more to defend - and he was never a good defender to start with. Patterson is toast. Like Mike Scott and Anthony Tolliver and John Henson (who is relatively young), there's a reason why he, despite having proven years as "playable" in the NBA, is not on a roster.

[FriedRise]

I don't think a trade is likely any time soon since we're still finding our rotations, but it might be tough to play modern ball with the roster that we have.

Ideally we play Bradley at backup 5 because of his size, but if we do that, we also can't play Alize because then there'd be no spacing. Neither of those guys shoot; Alize is a higher impact and more productive player, but Bradley has the size.

You can put a high energy guy like Green or DJJ at the 4 if we're to lose Alize's impact (with Bradley at the 5), but again, we'll be going small and spacing will be limited since opponents will likely give them the Kris Dunn treatment.

Another option is - since we play DDR with the bench unit anyway - have him play the 4 so at least you'd pull out the PF defender to guard him since he'll be on-ball. You space the rest with Caruso, TBJ, and Green. Those guys are decent enough shooters that can hit it from deep if left wide open. But I think that's what we've been doing anyway (DDR = 46% at PF according to basketball-reference), tho it's been almost exclusively with Alize and not Bradley. Maybe Billy does need to try a DDR/Bradley front court and see what happens.

We need to try out all these different player combinations since there's so many new guys. Where's the leadership council when you need them?

[biggestbullsfan]

I will say this. This front office seems to have a plan so I’ll trust it or at least try to. We still have the Theis Trade exception and the bi annual exception. I’m sure they are aware of our size issues and will have a plan to address it now or in the future. Maybe they have targets in mind, but if this becomes an issue in the near future i expect rotation changes first before we make personnel changes.

[biggestbullsfan]

In terms of actual size, we have Marko and Tyler Cook in the roster. Hopefully they can actually contribute if we need to get some bodies down low and not get killed.

[drosestruts]

Mike Scott and Ersan Ilyasova are free agents right now. I think both could help more than a Matt Thomas

[chefo]

I'd suggest a defensive demon that just shut down 2 premier big wings back-to-back, currently playing a bit out of position at SF. Pretty tall, rebounds better than Pat (who doesn't?), but unlike Pat, can't hit the broad side of the barn from deep and generally has struggled to put the ball in the hoop the first 5 games... like really, really struggled. May be good for a poster dunk or two on any given night, but that's been about it this season on O. Then, he's also kinda' pricey, but the D may be worth it...

... of course I'm talking about Lauri

[Bullstuff]

someone who can shoot threes. honestly, lauri

Heck, why not WCJr.? Stats from his last game (admittedly a loss...) : 20 points 10 rebounds - including 2/5 from behind the arc...

[TheSuzerain]

Bol Bol would be interesting and potentially cheap

[patagonia]

People are really ready to give up on Pat after 4 games when he missed the preseason?