![]() ![]() ![]() So yes, Hulk-like, there never has been as physically an imposing a player in the NBA. Which makes Shaq that much more impressive to have accomplished as much as he did. Sure, Embiid is more skilled with basketball requisites like shooting and ball handling. Sam: Let’s not get too carried away since Embiid isn’t quite Shaq yet. I expect changes with the Bulls, but I cannot even guess at this time what they may be. You never know what is going on within a team, and rival executives don’t know, either, until they get a call asking if they’d be interested. I expect that to be the agenda as the trading season and free agency unfolds and players become available. But as we saw in the summer of 2021 when he added DeRozan, Ball and Alex Caruso, he seems like the kind of executive who is flexible and willing to quickly recalibrate. I believe Karnišovas when he said at this point he is mostly committed to the players he has. But more so adding a young player to the current core without too many major changes. Which wouldn’t mean going all into the draft and trading away veterans. 1, which surely will be Victor Wembanyama, that would likely set a new direction. If the Bulls happen to get a top-four pick and No. I believe the Bulls are at the early stages of their development for the 23-24 season, which starts with the lottery next Tuesday. Plus, it seems like Lopez, Kuzma and Poeltl are committed to resigning with their teams. Sam: Unless the Bulls were to release Vučević and trade DeRozan into cap room (basically giving him away for nothing or draft picks) they would not be far enough under the salary cap to acquire top free agents. I’d try to retain Vučević and build more offense through him. He has potential, but he alone would be too much risk, it seems to me. But now they don’t have much but Ayton’s $32 million salary. But they obviously were holding out for Durant. I thought if you packaged up DeRozan and Vučević with some veterans like maybe Alex Caruso you could quickly remake your team and the Suns would be in better position for the short term to get the first title in franchise history. Will they? I was doing some lobbying for Ayton before the trade deadline when it looked like you maybe could get him in a package that included Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder and maybe a pick. They can save $45 million on his $60 million/two years if they release him next month. ![]() By the way, it’s obvious you can’t count on Paul by playoff time with injuries. He hasn’t produced in the playoffs, but they rarely run much for him with Booker and Durant dominating everything with Chris Paul out. Myles Turner deal? Then Ayton came to camp and said he never spoke with the coach about the benching. Remember, he got benched at the end of their also blowout closing game loss to Dallas last season and then the Suns only matched his free agency offer from the Pacers. He will be the scapegoat, and already has been among the fans in Phoenix. Sam: It does seem like it’s the end there for him and sitting out Game 6. The appealing part as put on display in these playoffs is the Bulls with a few changes really may not be that far away given the incredible parity as play-in teams like Miami and the Lakers play for a chance to actually win the championship. Because after a year and a half out and with little likelihood Lonzo Ball will at least play next season or if he were to at any similar level, it’s difficult to make a case this group is better than a play-in candidate team. But if not, some who is a more natural facilitator. I've suggested previously about maybe running more offense through Vučević that could allow Coby White to be a point guard in the Denver model. And if they want to stay more in the half court with someone like DeRozan, then definitely more shooting. If it’s more in transition, then they need some rebounding size. But I do believe management and the coach has to get on the same page about the way the coach wants to play. There seem to me enough there still to be a good core. I agree with Karnišovas not the blow it up kind. Sam: Or you are what your record says you are? I don’t believe they were, which is why I believe some substantial change is necessary. ![]()
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