Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

NBA: A blueprint moving forward for the 6 worst teams in the league

By Evan Dyal

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 111-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 111-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 26: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls moves against Mike Muscala #31 of the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center on October 26, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Hawks 91-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 26: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls moves against Mike Muscala #31 of the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center on October 26, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Hawks 91-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bulls

Here is the good news for Bulls fans. They hit in this year’s draft with Lauri Markkanen. He will be a stud for years at power forward for the Bulls. That’s one foundational building block. The rest of the roster is bleak, and Chicago must decide who is going to be there long term.

At center, they have the super solid Robin Lopez, who is 29 and has two years left on his deal.

They should probably look into moving Lopez for young guards or more picks. The Bulls need to embrace the tank. Besides Markkanen, the only players who fit in the Bulls long-term plans are Zach LaVine (who is injured) and maybe Denzel Valentine. The other either are veterans, unproductive players, or Bobby Portis, who punched a teammate in the face.

Portis is good, but could be on the move – Chicago will likely trade one of Mirotic and Portis. But even if the Bulls elect to keep Mirotic, he will likely walk in the summer. And keeping him with Markkanen on the roster doesn’t make much sense anyways.

One idea for a trade might be Lopez to Cleveland for Tristan Thompson and Iman Shumpert. Chicago would get a younger starting caliber center and some wing help in Shumpert. The move would give Cleveland more defense and some cap relief (in the future). If they move Portis or Mirotic, they need guards and perimeter players desperately.

Jerian Grant and Justin Holiday should be bench players on a good team. They should play Kris Dunn more to see what they have, but I am not an optimist. Kay Felder and David Nwaba are also back up guards at best. Paul Zipser has been a disaster at small forward. Quincy Pondexter is barely playable. With so many holes, Chicago will need more than this year’s draft to save them. Good news is they will have money to spend this summer. A lot of it.

Bottom line: I would look to move Lopez, Portis, and Mirotic and get either picks or young guards/wings. Besides that, be patient. Wait until the offseason, nail the draft and try to get one starting caliber free agent. Accept that this will be a process. Like the Hawks, the Bulls play hard and they should all year. It is essential to build winning habits during losing times. At the same time, they should tank by getting rid of players who don’t fit their timelines.

One more trade idea: Bobby Portis and Jerian Grant to the Magic for Elfrid Payton. Orlando gets a solid frontcourt reserve in Portis, plus a backup point guard. Chicago receives a young point guard worth taking a chance on. The only catch is Payton is a free agent this summer.

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