Re-signing restricted free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu to a three-year, $21M contract was a shrewd business decision by the Chicago Bulls, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
The Bulls like Dosunmu’s aggression, competitiveness and work ethic, according to Johnson, and bringing him back at $7M per year could be valuable if Chicago decides to make moves in the future, as mid-sized deals can come in handy when negotiating trades. That isn’t to imply the team wants to deal away a player it is retaining, it’s just a reality of the business.
With Zach LaVine, Coby White, Alex Caruso, Jevon Carter, Dosunmu, Dalen Terry and the injured Lonzo Ball already in the backcourt, Johnson believes Carlik Jones will likely be released. Jones’ deal is currently non-guaranteed, but becomes partially guaranteed for $250K if he makes the Bulls’ opening night roster. The team’s next free agent addition will “almost certainly” be a frontcourt player, Johnson adds.
Here’s more from the Central:
- He may not be as well known as his younger brother, but Cleveland Cavaliers big man Isaiah Mobley, who is on a two-way deal with Cleveland, made his mark during Las Vegas Summer League, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link). Mobley hit an overtime game-winner in the team’s fifth game against Brooklyn, with the Cavs going on to finish 6-0 and leaving with a championship.
- James L. Edwards of The Athletic recently took a stab at projecting the Detroit Pistons‘ depth chart entering 2023-24, with a possible 10-man rotation of starters Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren alongside reserves Monte Morris, Alec Burks, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Livers and Marvin Bagley III. Notably, that group does not include James Wiseman, with Edwards writing that Bagley is the superior screener and roller and better at creating his own shot. It also doesn’t include Killian Hayes or Joe Harris. That said, with the obvious caveat that it’s only July, I agree with Edwards.
- In another article for The Athletic, Edwards evaluates trade proposals from readers. One fake trade was a complex four-team deal where the Pistons receive Tobias Harris; the Los Angeles Clippers receive James Harden and a 2029 first-round pick (from Philly); the Philadelphia 76ers receive Bogdan Bogdanovic, Norman Powell, Marcus Morris, Danilo Gallinari and 2028 and ’29 first-rounders (from the Clips); and the Washington Wizards receive Bagley, a 2024 second-rounder (from L.A.). Edwards thinks the Sixers would decline that proposal and likely the Wizards, too, though the latter might be more interested if another second-round pick or two were added.
More must-reads: