This morning, Chicago Bulls VP, John Paxson, was featured on 670 The Score with Mully and Hanley to talk about the moves that have been made this offseason. Needless to say, Paxson is very optimistic about the moves the team has made and cannot wait for training camp.
Let’s start by taking excerpts from the interview and breaking them down.
#Bulls' John Paxson: "What excites us more than anything is in 13 months we've adding six young players who have talent. The difficulty is finding how they work together."
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) July 17, 2018
This time last year Gar Forman and John Paxson had a press conference and they both finally picked a direction. “Young and athletic.” Honestly, that’s what they have made this Chicago Bulls roster. The Jimmy Butler trade brought back Kris Dunn, Zach Lavine, and the 7th pick which turned out to be Lauri Markkanen. That’s the first three that GarPax added.
Kris Dunn showed flashes last year of a menacing defensive point guard, who can also get his and create for others on the offensive end.
Lauri Markkanen made the All NBA Rookie First Team. He also has the record for being the fastest player in NBA history to make it 100 three-pointers made.
Zach Lavine was the key piece of the Butler trade. Bulls fans didn’t get to see much from him last year, due to him coming back off a torn ACL. Zach can score lights out and has so much potential to grow into a star. One game comes to mind on why many Bulls fans believe this.
The last three added were Wendell Carter Jr., Chandler Hutchison, and the hometown kid, Jabari Parker.
Carter Jr. has the potential to fit in with Hoiberg’s offense by spacing the floor and being able to play inside. He can also help protect the team on defense with his size and athleticism.
Chandler Hutchison will fight for playing time to start the season, but competition brings out the best in many players. Hutch showed flashes of a very talented wing player in the summer league.
John Paxson: "We feel we have some players that have (star) potential. We're gonna try to develop & get the most out of them. We know that this is a star league & stars win. We're gonna continue to work hard finding that talent in regards to free agency down the line." #Bulls
— Carlos Douglas Jr. (@TheRealC_Los) July 17, 2018
The Jabari Parker deal certainly was the icing on the cake. The Bulls are going to give him a shot to play the small forward position and prove himself after coming off another torn ACL. Jabari is a dynamic scorer and the deal was just too good to pass up on.
John Paxson: "In this league, you have to have star basketball players to win at a high level. That's on us (to add)."
Paxson believes #Bulls have taken swings with young players and can still add in 2019 free agency.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) July 17, 2018
This was one of the more interesting thoughts from the interview. It’s something that all of us Bulls fans already know. 2019 NBA Free Agency has a great class, as well as 2020. The Bulls are going to be in prime position to add not one, but two max contracts if they want to. If Parker doesn’t work out they can decline his team option for the 2019 season. Omer Asik will also be off the books by then. Flexibility is key.
Another quote from Paxson that should have Bulls fans smiling is that he realizes they still have a ways to go within the rebuild.
"We're in a position still in the rebuild of just trying to get talented young players."
— John Paxson on #Bulls adding Jabari Parker
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) July 17, 2018
It’s not just about putting bodies in seats anymore, Paxson and company want to win. The moves that they have made this offseason are excellent in the case of the rebuild. The direction that was picked was the right one. It will be interesting to see how this team meshes together, and it will be exciting to watch.
