Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA Offseason Wrap Up, Part 2: A Wild LeBron-less Eastern Conference

By Daniel Schmahl

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second half at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second half at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 11: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Taurean Prince #12 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 11: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Taurean Prince #12 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

11. Chicago Bulls

Key additions: Jabari Parker (FA), Wendell Carter Jr. (draft)

Key losses: Jerian Grant (trade)

JOHN PAXSON WAS PROMOTED from the broadcasting booth to VP of basketball operations of the Chicago Bulls in April ’03 after longtime GM Jerry Krauss retired. He suffered through six seasons of post-Jordan, pre-Derrick Rose era mediocrity before Gar Paxson was appointed GM in the ’09 offseason. As a result, GarPax was born.

For all the criticism the duo takes, the Bulls were one of the best teams in the NBA from ’11-’14 (that team still resides, but now in Minnesota). I’m sure there are members within the organization that believe they would have won a championship had Rose never tore his ACL in the ’12 playoffs. The tandem has also drafted well, selecting Taj Gibson, James Johnson, Jimmy Butler, Tony Snell, Gary Harris, Jusuf Nurkic, and Jordan Bell (he looked great in summer league but the jury is still out on rookie Wendell Carter Jr.) in their ten drafts together, none with a pick higher than 16th. All have turned out to be quality NBA players.

That being said, GarPax has had its share of sobering moments throughout it’s tenure. Here are some of the highlights that promptly led to this billboard going up in Chicago’s West Loop:

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Former Indiana Pacers' player signs with Chicago Bulls
Former Indiana Pacers' player signs with Chicago Bulls /

8 Points, 9 Seconds

  • Offseason Report Card: Bulls get an A, three Bs and a C for summer moves Pippen Ain't Easy
  • NBA Trades: This Bulls-Heat-Blazers-Clippers-76ers deal would be historic Hoops Habit
  • NBA Rumors: Chicago pursuing the best remaining free agent Hoops Habit
  • Chicago Bulls Rumors: Zach LaVine speaks out against trade talk Da Windy City
  • 3 Ways the Chicago Bulls can utilize their disabled player exception Hoops Habit

    • It’s also strange that a major market like Chicago hasn’t been a more desirable free agent destination. Carlos Boozer is the biggest name the GarPax administration has signed, and he was amnestied before the end of his contract.

    History aside, I like the Jabari Parker signing. At 2 years, $40 million and a team option for year 2, the Bulls can evaluate him at their own pace. $20 million a year seems pricy for a guy who hasn’t proved he can do anything but score and is coming off of two major knee surgeries. But he’s only 23, was the best prospect in his high school class, and will be playing in his home town. There’s potential Parker could thrive in Fred Hoiberg‘s system, breaking out as a 23 point-per-game guy who can overpower smaller wings and blow by bigger ones.

    There’s also potential Parker never returns to his pre-injury self, gets frustrated with basketball the same way Rose did, and bottoms out as a Michael Beasley-type guy. In that case, all GarPax would have to do is waive his contract for ’20, no strings attached. Plus, the Bulls were about $20 million under the cap for ’19, so almost all the money invested in Jabari next year would have been dead money whether they signed him or not. This was a good move for Chicago and Parker, who desperately needs a fresh start.

    Parker joins an interesting core of Kris Dunn, newly re-signed Zach Lavine, Lauri Markkanen, and Carter Jr. in what hopes to be a year of progression for Chicago. He will start at the 3, and although he is better suited for the 4, Markkanen’s ability to space the floor (he was the fastest player ever to hit 100 3s) negates a lot of fit-concerns. Also aiding Parker’s defensive shortcomings will be Carter Jr., who projects as a high-level, switch-everything defender. At 6’10, 260 pounds, he doesn’t have many weaknesses as a player. His full potential is something along the lines of Al Horford.

    The playoffs aren’t that much of a far-cry for the Bulls. They have a good blend of youth and GarPax is really excited about the product this team has to offer (I can understand if that doesn’t necessarily excite Bulls fans). If a few lower-end East teams suffer some injuries and Parker fits well, Chicago could sneak in as an 8 seed. By 2022, they could be one of the best teams in the East no matter what administration is in charge.

    Bulls projected record: 34-48

    Bulls chances of making the playoffs: 20%

    Bulls chances of winning the East: <1%

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