Options to fix the PF hole

[ChiCitySPORTS#1]

A player that could help us and no one even talks about because of a small mistake is Meyers Leonard. Bulls should step up and give this guy a chance already.

100%.

We have such a problem inside, it’s actually kind of a bad look we went into the season like this

He's not someone who could play alongside Vuc, IMO. Behind him, sure, he'd be an upgrade, although, I liked the little I saw of Bradley last night, and want him to get a real chance.

Yeah he’d be a backup 5

[FecesOfDeath]

It's pretty clear what AKME are looking for in PFs: bigger SFs who can shoot and can guard 2-4 decently. Basically a 3&D 4 PF. Extra credit if they can set screens well.

[drosestruts]

Whatever happened to that random rumor that we were interested in Gabriel Deck - he'd fit into our Trade Exception.

[Salo23]

It's pretty clear what AKME are looking for in PFs: bigger SFs who can shoot and can guard 2-4 decently. Basically a 3&D 4 PF. Extra credit if they can set screens well.

James Ennis?

[fleet]

We cant be choosey. If it’s Bagley or whoever we gotta do it

[bad knees]

Another thought: Frank Kaminsky, who is currently languishing on the Suns bench. He can certainly shoot, he's tall and can rebound, and he was a willing if not entirely effective defender against Giannis in the Finals. He is on a one-year vet min contract.

Along the same lines: Mike Muscala, who is still producing for OKC. He is on a two-year contract at $3.5 M per year, with the second year a player option. He would fit into our TPE.

[RoseTheFuture22]

I said this in the trade thread a while ago but we should see what it would take to get Danuel House from HOU. He is in and out of the rotation because they are clearly trying to play the young guys and he is a FA next year so its very unlikely they keep him beyond then anyway

[sco]

Copied below from PW thread...wanted to comment here:

This flat out sucks. I was looking forward to seeing what Pat could do this year. I think it's not time to panic yet. I would move Alize into the starting 5, DJJ up in the rotation, and keep Javonte as a spark plug off the bench. We have to be working the phones to see what might be out there that doesn't cost too much. We finally have a team to be excited about and are already banged up after 5 games.

Why not just moving Green for the starting unit?It´d be more simple , playing DJJ and Alize from the bench at 4 with Vuc /Bradley playing at center.It´d be a good choice before getting another big man.

Of course Green moves into the starting lineup. This fascination with Alize is incomprehensible to me. He is a backup C, not a PF. That is obvious from the way he plays, and BD has said as much - that Alize has never played or practiced at the 4 for the Bulls because, in the Bulls system, the 3 and the 4 are interchangeable and alike, and very different from the 5. This is why PWill was able to switch from the 3 to the 4. Alize cannot play offense as a 3/4 - he has no outside shot, he does not cut. He is simply a small back-up 5, and not a very good one at that. He is a gimmick. There is a reason that he, notwithstanding his incredible hustle and rebounding skill, has only played more than 20 minutes in an NBA game four times in his NBA career. There is a reason why he did not get a guaranteed contract.

I understand that Alize, has played C for us so far, but that started, IMO out of necessity with Bradley being injured for preseason. I don't get how his game is all that different that many of the guys we're mentioning. IMO, he's strong and quick enough to guard guys like Randle (as well as most) while adding the missing rebounding dimension we've been missing (esp offensive RB's).

I think Green is a better fit alongside Bradley.

[Andi Obst]

This thread has more centers in it than the Sacramento Kings have on their current roster.

[ChiTownNation]

Even before the injury it was clear we were getting killed on the boards this year (ranked last in NBA in RPG). If you look at last years top rebounds per 36 mins leaders, here are a few that may be available. Favors for sure sounds the best, but not sure what he'd cost.

Derrick Favors (13.0)
Mason Plumlee (12.5)
Jarred Vanderbilit (11.6)
Drew Eubanks (11.5)
Chris Boucher (10.0)
P.J. Washington (7.7)

[bad knees]

Copied below from PW thread...wanted to comment here:

Why not just moving Green for the starting unit?It´d be more simple , playing DJJ and Alize from the bench at 4 with Vuc /Bradley playing at center.It´d be a good choice before getting another big man.

Of course Green moves into the starting lineup. This fascination with Alize is incomprehensible to me. He is a backup C, not a PF. That is obvious from the way he plays, and BD has said as much - that Alize has never played or practiced at the 4 for the Bulls because, in the Bulls system, the 3 and the 4 are interchangeable and alike, and very different from the 5. This is why PWill was able to switch from the 3 to the 4. Alize cannot play offense as a 3/4 - he has no outside shot, he does not cut. He is simply a small back-up 5, and not a very good one at that. He is a gimmick. There is a reason that he, notwithstanding his incredible hustle and rebounding skill, has only played more than 20 minutes in an NBA game four times in his NBA career. There is a reason why he did not get a guaranteed contract.

I understand that Alize, has played C for us so far, but that started, IMO out of necessity with Bradley being injured for preseason. I don't get how his game is all that different that many of the guys we're mentioning. IMO, he's strong and quick enough to guard guys like Randle (as well as most) while adding the missing rebounding dimension we've been missing (esp offensive RB's).

I think Green is a better fit alongside Bradley.

Here's the article where BD said that Alize is so far from a solution at the 4 in his mind that he has not even tried Alize at that position. You will note that BD, in his comments on who might replace PWill, spoke of DJJ, Green, Caruso and Lonzo. No mention of Alize. I really don't think that Alize is a viable option. Love him for what he brings, but it is as a back-up (really third string) 5.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-saturday/2021/10/15/22729271/alize-johnson-makes-statement-bulls-roster-decisions-coming

The relevant quotes from BD, which were made in the context of whether Alize would earn a spot on the roster:

Johnson’s one weakness could be whether he’s able to play the four in Donovan’s system.

“I don’t really have that answer,’’ Donovan conceded.

In some systems, the four and the five are interchangeable, but that’s not necessarily the case under Donovan, especially this season, with the offense and defense tailored to what Vucevic does at center and what Patrick Williams does at the four.

“We’ve switched a lot more this year,’’ Donovan said. “So I think if you look at the time [Johnson’s] had defensively on the floor, he’s predominantly been in coverage as a center, been in some form of pick-and-roll coverage. I do think he has the ability to switch, but he hasn’t really done that a whole lot.

“The other part of that [is], offensively, we’ve used our five men as facilitators. So that would require [Johnson] being off the ball a lot more and being a cutter, a mover and a floor spacer, and that’s something he really hasn’t done.”

[Dan Z]

I said this in the Patrick Williams thread: What about Paul Reed? He's not playing much for the Sixers. Maybe he could be had for a minor deal?

[sco]

Copied below from PW thread...wanted to comment here:

Of course Green moves into the starting lineup. This fascination with Alize is incomprehensible to me. He is a backup C, not a PF. That is obvious from the way he plays, and BD has said as much - that Alize has never played or practiced at the 4 for the Bulls because, in the Bulls system, the 3 and the 4 are interchangeable and alike, and very different from the 5. This is why PWill was able to switch from the 3 to the 4. Alize cannot play offense as a 3/4 - he has no outside shot, he does not cut. He is simply a small back-up 5, and not a very good one at that. He is a gimmick. There is a reason that he, notwithstanding his incredible hustle and rebounding skill, has only played more than 20 minutes in an NBA game four times in his NBA career. There is a reason why he did not get a guaranteed contract.

I understand that Alize, has played C for us so far, but that started, IMO out of necessity with Bradley being injured for preseason. I don't get how his game is all that different that many of the guys we're mentioning. IMO, he's strong and quick enough to guard guys like Randle (as well as most) while adding the missing rebounding dimension we've been missing (esp offensive RB's).

I think Green is a better fit alongside Bradley.

Here's the article where BD said that Alize is so far from a solution at the 4 in his mind that he has not even tried Alize at that position. You will note that BD, in his comments on who might replace PWill, spoke of DJJ, Green, Caruso and Lonzo. No mention of Alize. I really don't think that Alize is a viable option. Love him for what he brings, but it is as a back-up (really third string) 5.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-saturday/2021/10/15/22729271/alize-johnson-makes-statement-bulls-roster-decisions-coming

The relevant quotes from BD, which were made in the context of whether Alize would earn a spot on the roster:

Johnson’s one weakness could be whether he’s able to play the four in Donovan’s system.

“I don’t really have that answer,’’ Donovan conceded.

In some systems, the four and the five are interchangeable, but that’s not necessarily the case under Donovan, especially this season, with the offense and defense tailored to what Vucevic does at center and what Patrick Williams does at the four.

“We’ve switched a lot more this year,’’ Donovan said. “So I think if you look at the time [Johnson’s] had defensively on the floor, he’s predominantly been in coverage as a center, been in some form of pick-and-roll coverage. I do think he has the ability to switch, but he hasn’t really done that a whole lot.

“The other part of that [is], offensively, we’ve used our five men as facilitators. So that would require [Johnson] being off the ball a lot more and being a cutter, a mover and a floor spacer, and that’s something he really hasn’t done.”

I remember that article. I'll say, from my eye test during the season so far, Alize looks plenty quick enough to switch on to guards, but BD's comments are more about experience than ability.

[jordanwilliams6]

I think it’s pretty obvious we’ll probably go even smaller. I mean it’s not like Pat was helping us on the glass. I think we’ll give DJJ 15 mins a game and increase Javonte & Caruso’s playing time until Coby returns.

The ideal PF replacement in our team is more an interchangeable SF/PF in the Crowder/Covington mould which I’m sure AKME will be in the market for.

Last night showed that Billy isn’t afraid to put Lonzo onto significantly bigger players. It’ll work against most teams but it will get found out against the Giannis, Durant & Lebron types so we will need to find someone.

[bad knees]

Copied below from PW thread...wanted to comment here:


I understand that Alize, has played C for us so far, but that started, IMO out of necessity with Bradley being injured for preseason. I don't get how his game is all that different that many of the guys we're mentioning. IMO, he's strong and quick enough to guard guys like Randle (as well as most) while adding the missing rebounding dimension we've been missing (esp offensive RB's).

I think Green is a better fit alongside Bradley.

Here's the article where BD said that Alize is so far from a solution at the 4 in his mind that he has not even tried Alize at that position. You will note that BD, in his comments on who might replace PWill, spoke of DJJ, Green, Caruso and Lonzo. No mention of Alize. I really don't think that Alize is a viable option. Love him for what he brings, but it is as a back-up (really third string) 5.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-saturday/2021/10/15/22729271/alize-johnson-makes-statement-bulls-roster-decisions-coming

The relevant quotes from BD, which were made in the context of whether Alize would earn a spot on the roster:

Johnson’s one weakness could be whether he’s able to play the four in Donovan’s system.

“I don’t really have that answer,’’ Donovan conceded.

In some systems, the four and the five are interchangeable, but that’s not necessarily the case under Donovan, especially this season, with the offense and defense tailored to what Vucevic does at center and what Patrick Williams does at the four.

“We’ve switched a lot more this year,’’ Donovan said. “So I think if you look at the time [Johnson’s] had defensively on the floor, he’s predominantly been in coverage as a center, been in some form of pick-and-roll coverage. I do think he has the ability to switch, but he hasn’t really done that a whole lot.

“The other part of that [is], offensively, we’ve used our five men as facilitators. So that would require [Johnson] being off the ball a lot more and being a cutter, a mover and a floor spacer, and that’s something he really hasn’t done.”

I remember that article. I'll say, from my eye test during the season so far, Alize looks plenty quick enough to switch on to guards, but BD's comments are more about experience than ability.

I hear you. And I understand your right and ability to analyze what a player might bring. Guess this is one of those situations in which I trust BD's capacity for analysis of Alize's ability. BD has been searching for an answer to the PF situation, and the fact that he thinks that it's not even worth giving Alize a shot there says a lot to me - both about Alize's abilities and, even more strongly, whether he will in fact provide help for us at the PF going forward.

[erlim]

Wow, this is devastating news for a young guy like PWill. First and foremost, I hope he can come back full strength and continue developing a long and fruitful career.

It's tough because we are so stocked at every position on paper, but PF is definitely like when we were trotting out Keith Bogans at SG or Ronald Dupree/Linton Johnson at SF.

The movie fan in me wishes Joakim Noah did lace up in Unforgiven style, but deep down I know a 36 year old dude couldn't keep up to any efficient degree in the NBA in 2021/2022. Is there any people we could grab from Europe?

I mean, could we wrassle away Taj Gibson from the Knicks?

[panthermark]

I hope we don't go smaller. We are already getting killed on boards, and mini-munchkin ball will get more players hurt over the course of the year. You can't spend the season having your guards defend the other teams PF's.

[fleet]

I think it’s pretty obvious we’ll probably go even smaller. I mean it’s not like Pat was helping us on the glass. I think we’ll give DJJ 15 mins a game and increase Javonte & Caruso’s playing time until Coby returns.

The ideal PF replacement in our team is more an interchangeable SF/PF in the Crowder/Covington mould which I’m sure AKME will be in the market for.

Last night showed that Billy isn’t afraid to put Lonzo onto significantly bigger players. It’ll work against most teams but it will get found out against the Giannis, Durant & Lebron types so we will need to find someone.

Yeah, but that back line D is gonna be rough. The guards are gonna expend a lot more energy blitzing and pressure.

[BahamaBull]

Brandon Clarke.
Christian Wood.

We're not a major threat with Patrick Williams as our starting PF.

Houston would trade Wood?

No way!! We will not loose a player for injury like paw and get a better one in return.

Houston would never do it...

I still cant believe PAW is out for the season:(

[Red8911]

Play Alize Johnson at the power forward position.

Yeah, this strikes me as the first thing they should try. He's a decent fit alongside Vuc.

Then I'd try DJJ whenever they find the key to the doghouse he's locked up in. That dude is a pogo stick.

I think Green is the first option right now, he has earned the spot to start but as we’ve seen almost every game so far Caruso is the one who finishes games. Maybe Alize plays the 4 off the bench with Bradley or Derrick Jones gets into the rotation. There’s also Simonovic who hasn’t played at all yet. We ll see what they do but right now again I’m guessing Green starts and Caruso finishes games.