We’ve got a lot in store for you this episode. Including: Zach is back! He returned quicker than expected from injury. But should he? Bulls Sign Brandon Sampson to a 2-way deal and waive Tyler Ulis, Post-Game Analysis of Bulls vs Minnesota – Preview of upcoming games this week and What will it take for Lauri to get 20 shots a game? We’ll discuss. Come TANK with us!
Welcome to the Bulls Podcast, coming to you from BullsPodcast.com. This is where we bring you the latest news, reviews, rants, rumors and opinions on the players, coaches and front office of the Chicago Bulls.
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Post Game Wrap-up on the Bulls Vs Minnesota Timberwolves
The Chicago Bulls LOST to the Timberwolves by 25 points – Timberwolves 119, Bulls 94.
Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Luol Deng and Thibs returned to the UC to cheers and fond reminders to the fans on how good we used to have it. At one point in the game with Rose on the free throw line, the UC erupted with M-V-P chants, bringing a visible smile to Derrick’s face.
In his post-game interview, Derrick said “I had to crack a smile a little bit. It made me reminisce about some of the old days. With the year that I’m having, it was very special to come in here and play. He also alluded to the fact that the future is never set in stone, and the possibility of him returning to Chicago is always in the cards in the future, at least in his mind.
As for the Bulls performance, Zach Lavine led all scorers with 28 points in 26 minutes.
Jabari Parker has recovered from his “illness” but was once again benched due to coach’s decision. It’s unlikely that we will ever see Jabari play in a Bulls uniform again.
In terms of Minnesota, Derrick Rose had 24 points in 38 minutes. KAT poured in 20 points and 20 rebounds in 24 minutes. Wiggins had 14, Taj had 16.
This coming week we have games against Washington, Toronto and Orlando. The Toronto game should be a bloodbath. The only game we have a real chance at would be Orlando, which it feels like we’re playing Orlando every other day lately. I’m kind of sick of seeing them.
Bulls Injury Updates:
Though Zach Lavine has made a comeback, he did look to be visibly limping throughout portions of the Minnesota game. We’ve heard no progress in terms of Bobby Portis and his ankle injury. Hopefully Bobby can come back soon and finish the second half of the season in strong form, netting him a fat contract with the Bulls so he can stay here and be productive with the Bulls.
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Coming and Going
Bulls have signed Brandon Sampson to a two-way contract and dropped Tyler Ulis. Sampson (6-5, 184) went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft after playing three seasons at Louisiana State University. He has played in 18 games (18 starts) this season for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League, averaging 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 35.1 minutes per game. At LSU, Sampson played in 85 games (40 starts) from 2015-18. Over his career with the Tigers, he averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists, scoring a career-high 24 points twice in the 2016-17 season. The Baton Rouge, La., native was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Louisiana in 2015. Sampson will wear No. 44 for the Bulls.
Tyler Ulis hasn’t had much time as a Bull. He probably won’t be missed by the team.
BULLS TRADE SCENARIOS:
There have been a number of trades that are being tossed around on various blogs. Let’s take a look at a few and see what our reaction is.
Chicago Bulls Receive: MarShon Brooks, Emmanuel Mudiay, Chandler Parsons, 2020 second-round pick (from Charlotte, via New York), 2021 first-round pick (lottery protection, via Memphis)
New York Knicks Receive: Jabari Parker, Cameron Payne
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., Justin Holiday
Sources told ESPN.com’s Ian Begley that New York is among the teams showing “preliminary interest” in acquiring Jabari Parker, whom Chicago has completely removed from the rotation. That interest, though, figures to be conditional.
The Knicks need to trim money off next season’s bottom line to enter the Kevin Durant discussion. Parker has a team option for 2019-20 and is only valuable to them if he’s coming in as part of a deal for Tim Hardaway Jr. (2020-21 player option) or Courtney Lee (signed through 2019-20).
Chicago ranks among the league’s most attractive salary-dumping grounds, but New York doesn’t have the timeline to surrender a future first-rounder. Finding a third team that might treat Hardaway or Lee as a quasi-asset makes the logistics easier. It also doesn’t leave the Knicks or Bulls many options. That brings us to Memphis.
Paying the balance on Hardaway’s deal (two years, $37.1 million) shouldn’t be a complete turnoff for the Grizzlies. Their offense ranks 26th in points scored per 100 possessions and could use the extra juice. Hardaway isn’t the most efficient scorer, but he’s hitting 40.0 percent of his pull-up triples. He will get shots up off the dribble and fits within Memphis’ window if the team intends to keep Mike Conley (signed through 2020-21) and Marc Gasol (2019-20 player option) in town.
Bringing back Justin Holiday and ditching Chandler Parsons should help the Grizzlies part with that protected first-rounder. Holiday’s efficiency has started to dip, but he’s a solid complementary weapon who can hold his own against most backcourt assignments on defense. Parsons is cleared to play, but Memphis has no plans to use him, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Getting two future picks and a flier on Mudiay should be enough for the Bulls to bite this bullet. Parsons comes off the books after next season, and they aren’t going to compete for anything special before then. And as for the Knicks, jettisoning Hardaway arms them with Kevin Durant money in free agency—plus a whole lot more.
CLOSING:
This coming week we have games against Washington, Toronto and Orlando. We’ll be here next week to give you post-game analysis. You also don’t want to miss Wyse on his channel on YouTube where he breaks down each game, and you get to see Wyse in his Chicago Bulls War Room!
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If you can’t remember any of these, you can check out our show notes for this show over at our website, which is BullsPodcast.com
Until next time, Thank you for listening everyone, Go Bulls!