Whether it’s a fake pump to get the defender airborne for the blow-by or a last second jump-pass to find a better option, a good shooter always leaves himself an out.
Obviously, John Paxson can still shoot it.
The Bulls vice president of basketball operations spoke to individual media outlets 10 days ago, and made more than a few headlines.
However, buried in all the talk of job security for head coach Jim Boylen, as well as the idea of staying the course with the current roster, was a somewhat vague quote from the long-time executive.
“What’s fair to say is if we stay consistent in how we’re working, Jim and the staff, and the players are working to get better, then I think it has to get better,’’ Paxson said. “If it doesn’t then that allows me an opportunity to weigh a lot of different things.’’
There was the fake pump. There was Paxson’s out.
Yes, the ship will still sail, but all cargo is expendable if they continue taking on water.
The ongoing question remains does that include general manager Gar Forman? From COO and president Michael Reinsdorf on down, the belief throughout the organization is that Forman’s biggest strength has come on draft day.
But 32 games into Year 3 of the rebuild, what exactly has Forman done with the first-round picks still making up this current roster?
2016 NBA Draft – Denzel Valentine – Guard/Forward – 14th overall
Still a tweener, Valentine has found a role off the bench, giving the Bulls a three-point threat that they sorely need. He will be a restricted free agent this summer, however, and there are serious questions about the Bulls keeping him. The 2016 draft was a relatively weak class overall, with more misses than hits for most of the league.
Key Players Who Went After Valentine: Caris LeVert (20th overall) and Dejounte Murray (29th overall)
Forman’s Grade: Considering where the Bulls were picking and the lack of impact players overall, give the GM the B-.
2017 NBA Draft – Lauri Markkanen – Forward – 7th overall
The Bulls were supposed to have No. 16, but obviously that all changed when they traded Jimmy Butler to Minnesota and grabbed Markkanen with the No. 7 pick they received in a package that also included Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn. Markkanen has been inconsistent this season, but still has a chance to be a foundation piece for this rebuild.
Key Players Who Went After Markkanen: Donovan Mitchell (13th overall) and Kyle Kuzma (27th overall)
Forman’s Grade: Markkanen was a no-brainer at seven, but still a very good pick and gets Forman the A-.
2018 NBA Draft – Wendell Carter Jr. – Center – 7th overall and Chandler Hutchison – Forward – 22nd overall
It’s hard to overlook that Luka Doncic and Trae Young went before Carter at seven, and knowing both could have solved the point guard dilemma for the next decade. There were rumors that the Bulls and Mavs were talking trade leading up to that draft, but it obviously never happened.
Key Players Who Went After Carter: Collin Sexton (8th overall) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11th overall)
Key Players Who Went After Hutchison: Aaron Holiday (23rd overall) and Landry Shamet (26th overall)
Forman’s Grade: It’s hard to debate much on Carter at No. 7 besides being undersized at center, but Hutchison is still a head-scratcher, so give Forman a B-.
2019 NBA Draft – Coby White – Guard – 7th overall
“Green Light’’ White has had some memorable rookie moments, but the concern is the Bulls selling him as a point guard on draft day. If he can’t make the transition to that spot it could be a major miscalculation.
Key Players Who Went After White: PJ Washington (12th overall) and Tyler Herro (13th overall)
Forman’s Grade: It’s early in the process for White, but considering what some of the other rookies are doing it’s a B.
