It was great to have family and loved ones on the private jet to and from Atlanta for Sunday’s All-Star extravaganza.
A memory that Bulls guard Zach LaVine won’t soon forget.
What also sat with him as he finished up his first-ever appearance in the actual All-Star Game, however?
There was still some room on the plane.
That’s the mentality LaVine takes back to Chicago for the start of the second half of the season. Not the only one by any means, but seeing more than a few players wearing All-Star gear and having a teammate there with them, that resonated with the seventh-year player.
“There’s multiple guys in this on the same team,’’ LaVine said, when asked what impression he was taking back to his teammates and the Advocate Center. “ So I think it just shows that if you’re in the right, winning mindset and guys on the team are playing the right way you can definitely have fun with multiple teammates in the All-Star Game. I think that’s something you can take away, back to your teammates, ‘Let’s get a couple of guys in here next time.’ ‘’
LaVine’s front office would love that. Because of the financial impact of the coronavirus and the sanctions from China, the full collateral damage of the upcoming salary caps over the next two years are only speculation.
What isn’t a guess, however, is the idea that the days of having a “Big Three’’ to contend for a championship might be slipping to a “Big Two.’’ The Nets are the one exception right now, but the Celtics, the Clippers, the Lakers, and the Sixers are leaning more on that two-headed monster with some key role players around it.
Much more doable for the league’s suits to figure out than what the Celtics did with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, and what Miami created with the “Heatles.’’
So what’s the reality of LaVine having a travel partner for next year’s All-Star Weekend in Cleveland? As the Bulls roster is currently constructed, very slim.
Here are the most logical options:
4. Coby White – Year 3 is when Portland’s C.J. McCollum jumped onto the game-planning radar for the opposition, emerging as the perfect sidekick to Damian Lillard. Could White be LaVine’s Robin by next season? It’s very unlikely.
As good as McCollum’s been, he’s yet to be an All-Star, and this is a guy that’s a much better defender than White, as well as way more consistent offensively.
3. Patrick Williams – The rookie is beyond raw, and is more focused on the defensive end at this point in his development. That’s great for the organization to have a wing with that mentality, but All-Star voters take a long time to warm up to defensive-minded players.
2. Lauri Markkanen – The 7-footer was on his way to “unicorn’’ status back in 2019, when he participated in the All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars Game. His skillset should scream “potential All-Star,’’ but injuries and too many lethargic stretches when he is healthy remain escalating concerns.
Plus, he might not even be a Bull by next season, heading toward the summer as a restricted free agent.
1. Trade acquisition – The Andre Drummond rumors were interesting, but a source told the Sun-Times that the Bulls had “very soft interest’’ in the big man. His skillset is not a great mesh with what coach Billy Donovan necessarily likes from his five.
Now Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic? That changes the ballgame. The Magic big man can play pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop with LaVine, brings a rebounding presence, and is a willing facilitator. The Magic have painted themselves in cap hell with very little to show for it in the standings, so might be willing to move on from the big man.
The only negative for LaVine if that were to happen? More leg room needed on the private jet.
