Bulls sign Mac Mclung

Mikeyk2421 · Post #81 » by **Mikeyk2421** » Thu Jan 6, 2022 5:45 pm

So I'm pretty sure Matt Thomas' contract becomes fully guaranteed tomorrow.. could this move be in connection to that? Maybe they havent been thrilled by what Thomas has brought to the table.

Almost Retired · Post #82 » by **Almost Retired** » Thu Jan 6, 2022 6:12 pm

sco wrote:I would be happy if the Bulls dumped Dotson for him on the 2-way, but I don't think the Bulls will do that. The kid looks so skilled and athletic, reminds me of a young IT. I'm reminded that offensive success in BBall is not about height or length, it's about using those things and/or skills to create space to get your shot off.

I saw a few Texas Tech games on TV down here in Texas last season. Mac looked good but never really got to completely showcase his talent. I know at the combine last year he put up the 7th highest vertical ever recored there at 43.5". Those are serious hops. And he also recorded the fastest 40 yard sprint time (2.94) at the combine since 2001....20 years. So athletically speaking the kid has the goods. I think he's worth hanging on to. Dotson....not so much. I could see BD using him at PG and moving Lonzo to the "3" in certain situations.

TheAlanParsons · Post #83 » by **TheAlanParsons** » Thu Jan 6, 2022 6:17 pm

"Mac McClung" sounds like the name of a plumber or a rogue cop.

bad knees · Post #84 » by **bad knees** » Thu Jan 6, 2022 7:06 pm

I watched three McClung drive and kicks in that one game, and I could see that he has more potential than Dotson.

sco · Post #85 » by **sco** » Thu Jan 6, 2022 7:09 pm

can someone fix the title. Mclung sounds like something you'd order from a body part vending machine.

GoBlue72391 · Post #86 » by **GoBlue72391** » Thu Jan 6, 2022 10:43 pm

He's definitely worth developing over Dotson. They're both about the same size, but McClung has notable athleticism and shot creation ability.

Post #87 » by **HomoSapien** » Thu Jan 6, 2022 11:01 pm

So, January 10th seems like a key date as that’s when Cook, Thomas, and McKinnie get their deals guaranteed for the season. Bulls seem pretty high on McKinnie so I would imagine he’s the safest. Bulls also seem high on Thomas but he hasn’t played that great.

bad knees · Post #88 » by **bad knees** » Thu Jan 6, 2022 11:34 pm

HomoSapien wrote:So, January 10th seems like a key date as that’s when Cook, Thomas, and McKinnie get their deals guaranteed for the season. Bulls seem pretty high on McKinnie so I would imagine he’s the safest. Bulls also seem high on Thomas but he hasn’t played that great.

As I understand it, the non-guaranteed contracts are guaranteed unless, by January 10, the player has cleared the waiver process. So the teams have to initiate the waiver process by tomorrow - January 7 - in order for the waiver process to be completed by January 10. So we will have insight about Thomas and McKinnie - the two unguaranteed contracts - by COB tomorrow. Cook, I think, is on a two-way deal, which is a whole different kettle of fish.

dabig3 · Post #89 » by **dabig3** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 12:18 am

bad knees wrote:
HomoSapien wrote:So, January 10th seems like a key date as that’s when Cook, Thomas, and McKinnie get their deals guaranteed for the season. Bulls seem pretty high on McKinnie so I would imagine he’s the safest. Bulls also seem high on Thomas but he hasn’t played that great.

As I understand it, the non-guaranteed contracts are guaranteed unless, by January 10, the player has cleared the waiver process. So the teams have to initiate the waiver process by tomorrow - January 7 - in order for the waiver process to be completed by January 10. So we will have insight about Thomas and McKinnie - the two unguaranteed contracts - by COB tomorrow. Cook, I think, is on a two-way deal, which is a whole different kettle of fish.

Yeah

Read on Twitter

McKinnie probably stays and I think Matt Thomas's spot becomes an open roster spot for future moves.

I do wonder if they cut Dotson's two way contract to make room for giving Mac one. I think they'd want to keep Cook for frontcourt depth and he's looked pretty decent in his limited time, at least better than Alize was for the Bulls.

Repeat 3-peat · Post #90 » by **Repeat 3-peat** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 12:20 am

I have a feeling Thomas gets waived tomorrow and McClung signs a NBA contract.

GoBlue72391 · Post #91 » by **GoBlue72391** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 12:26 am

Mikeyk2421 wrote:So I'm pretty sure Matt Thomas' contract becomes fully guaranteed tomorrow.. could this move be in connection to that? Maybe they havent been thrilled by what Thomas has brought to the table.

He's shot the ball extremely efficiently ever since he's been getting regular minutes. There's value in having a shooter like that at the end of the bench. If anything, Dotson is the one on the chopping block to make room for McClung on a two-way contract.

GoBlue72391 · Post #92 » by **GoBlue72391** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 12:29 am

Repeat 3-peat wrote:I have a feeling Thomas gets waived tomorrow and McClung signs a NBA contract.

Why? We could just cut Dotson off his two-way and sign McClung to that open two-way spot.

dabig3 · Post #93 » by **dabig3** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 12:41 am

GoBlue72391 wrote:
Repeat 3-peat wrote:I have a feeling Thomas gets waived tomorrow and McClung signs a NBA contract.

Why? We could just cut Dotson off his two-way and sign McClung to that open two-way spot.

One theory: They want to convert Matt Thomas's spot into an open roster spot that they'll fill at a later date. He's a good shooter but there might be more value with that being left open for a buyout later or trade. They will also do a McClung two-way to replace Dotson.

But the reason Mac is being recalled tomorrow is because he'll be replacing Matt Thomas on the bench who might literally get cut before the game. But since Mac is still on a 10 day (???), the Bulls are covered for now and don't have to make a move on Dotson yet. But it's interesting they didn't recall him.

Or maybe the only move happening tomorrow is cutting Dotson and we see both Mac and Thomas on the bench tomorrow night. We shall see.

BullChit · Post #94 » by **BullChit** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 1:38 am

TheAlanParsons wrote:"Mac McClung" sounds like the name of a plumber or a rogue cop.

And his Superior officer is always saying "DAMMIT MAC!"

Jcool0 · Post #95 » by **Jcool0** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 2:36 am

GoBlue72391 wrote:
Mikeyk2421 wrote:So I'm pretty sure Matt Thomas' contract becomes fully guaranteed tomorrow.. could this move be in connection to that? Maybe they havent been thrilled by what Thomas has brought to the table.

He's shot the ball extremely efficiently ever since he's been getting regular minutes. There's value in having a shooter like that at the end of the bench. If anything, Dotson is the one on the chopping block to make room for McClung on a two-way contract.

Thomas is shooting 33% overall and 34% from 3. He has not shot the ball well.

bad knees · Post #96 » by **bad knees** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 2:50 am

Calling up McClung for tomorrow’s game suggests to me that Thomas will be waived by 5 pm and that, in the near future, McClung will replace Dotson on the two-way contract. We’ll create one roster spot and let McKinnie become guaranteed.

GoBlue72391 · Post #97 » by **GoBlue72391** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 7:08 am

Jcool0 wrote:
GoBlue72391 wrote:
Mikeyk2421 wrote:So I'm pretty sure Matt Thomas' contract becomes fully guaranteed tomorrow.. could this move be in connection to that? Maybe they havent been thrilled by what Thomas has brought to the table.

He's shot the ball extremely efficiently ever since he's been getting regular minutes. There's value in having a shooter like that at the end of the bench. If anything, Dotson is the one on the chopping block to make room for McClung on a two-way contract.

Thomas is shooting 33% overall and 34% from 3. He has not shot the ball well.

Have you watched any recent games or did you just look at his statline? He's hit a number of big threes in recent games.

Matt Thomas in November: 6 games played, 27 total minutes, 4-15 from the floor (27%), 1-7 from 3 (14%)

Matt Thomas in December: 5 games played, 94 total minutes 10-22 from the floor (45%), 8-15 from 3 (53%)

It's tough for a shooter to get into a rhythm when their playing time is so sporadic, as it was for him in November. When he was forced into playing more stable minutes he's been a highly efficient shooter, as he has been over the course of his career (41% from 3 in 99 career games).

sco · Post #98 » by **sco** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 7:11 pm

GoBlue72391 wrote:
Jcool0 wrote:
GoBlue72391 wrote:He's shot the ball extremely efficiently ever since he's been getting regular minutes. There's value in having a shooter like that at the end of the bench. If anything, Dotson is the one on the chopping block to make room for McClung on a two-way contract.

Thomas is shooting 33% overall and 34% from 3. He has not shot the ball well.

Have you watched any recent games or did you just look at his statline? He's hit a number of big threes in recent games.

Matt Thomas in November: 6 games played, 27 total minutes, 4-15 from the floor (27%), 1-7 from 3 (14%)

Matt Thomas in December: 5 games played, 94 total minutes 10-22 from the floor (45%), 8-15 from 3 (53%)

It's tough for a shooter to get into a rhythm when their playing time is so sporadic, as it was for him in November. When he was forced into playing more stable minutes he's been a highly efficient shooter, as he has been over the course of his career (41% from 3 in 99 career games).

I think the issue is that good or not, Matt is using a roster spot, and the Bulls are relatively deep at guard. Not having an open roster spot for trade or buy-up pickup flexibility seems foolish.

madvillian · Post #99 » by **madvillian** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 7:28 pm

I don't want to jettison Thomas he's been playing pretty well and you can't go wrong with shooters as the 11th man imo.

Red8911 · Post #100 » by **Red8911** » Fri Jan 7, 2022 7:37 pm

Jcool0 wrote:
GoBlue72391 wrote:
Mikeyk2421 wrote:So I'm pretty sure Matt Thomas' contract becomes fully guaranteed tomorrow.. could this move be in connection to that? Maybe they havent been thrilled by what Thomas has brought to the table.

He's shot the ball extremely efficiently ever since he's been getting regular minutes. There's value in having a shooter like that at the end of the bench. If anything, Dotson is the one on the chopping block to make room for McClung on a two-way contract.

Thomas is shooting 33% overall and 34% from 3. He has not shot the ball well.

How many shots did he actually take to pull out the % numbers ? Thomas has hardly played all season except the recent 4-5 game stretch where he got into the rotation because of Covid .

In that time though he made 3s and was solid for an off the bench role player. Nothing crazy, makes good decisions on offense and can shoot. I think he deserves to stay on the roster, we ll see what AK and Donovan decide. For me Dotson should be the one cut, don’t know why they brought him back this season to begin with.