Chicago Bulls Training Camp Preview
The Bulls open up training camp Monday with their media day. Camp will have a few battles that will be interesting as players fight for playing time and a spot on the team. Let’s discuss some of those battles that will be happening during Bulls camp.
The Bulls enter camp with 19 players so far, I expect they will sign one more player by Monday as they are one under the max amount of players they can bring into camp. The Bulls can only bring 15 players into the regular season, with an additional two as “Two-Way players”. Let’s go ahead and discuss the first battle, which will be the 15th spot on the NBA roster.
Players battling for last spot on roster: Shaquille Harrison, Milton Doyle
Favorite to win: Harrison
Fifteen players make the regular season roster like I stated earlier. The Bulls have 14 players under guaranteed contract, and I expect all 14 of those players to make the team unless a trade happens. Harrison and Doyle both are signed to non-guaranteed contracts, and I expect both to battle it out for that 15th spot. Harrison is a favorite of coach Jim Boylen, who played him in 73 games last season with 11 starts. Harrison averaged a near 20 minutes per game under Boylen, and was a favorite because of his defense and hustle two things we know Boylen and most coaches value. Those two things plus Boylen’s trust with Harrison will make him a favorite over Doyle.
I’ll admit I am not too familiar with Doyle’s game, but I found this scouting report video on him. It doesn’t cover weaknesses which I am not fan of, but it does highlight what he is good at. Milton seems to be a combo guard, with enough quickness on the defensive end to not make him a liability on that end. Seems to me both players bring different things to the Bulls. Harrison more defensive/rebounding, Doyle more scoring potential. The Bulls need a bit of everything, so I don’t see why either player’s skill will help them standout more. But because of Boylen’s trust in Harrison, it’s hard to imagine he doesn’t make the team over Doyle. Doyle will have to really impress to make this Bulls team. But Doyle is two-way eligible. Which brings me to another battle, the battle of the last two-way spot.
Players battling for last two-way spot: Doyle, Justin Simon, Perrion Callandret.
Favorite: None
The Bulls don’t have to fill the last two-way spot, they can go into season with only one (Adam Mokoka currently). Technically, they don’t have to bring in any two-way players, so there probably isn’t a favorite for this battle. Doyle, Simon, and Callandret will have to stand out in camp for the Bulls to offer them a “two-way” spot. The Bulls went into the last two seasons with both “two-way” spots filled(Antonio Blakeney/Ryan Arcidiacono and then Rawle Alkins/Tyler Ulis), so I assume the Bulls will look to do the same. Using training camp to determine if any of the fore mentioned players are worthy and if not maybe someone else.
Let’s now discuss the starting point guard battle.
Players battling for starting point guard spot: Tomas Satoransky, Kris Dunn, Coby White
Favorite: Satoransky
This will probably be the most interesting and important battle of training camp. The Bulls used the seventh overall pick in 2019 draft to select a point guard in Coby White, who showed some good things in summer league, but mainly showed he is probably a long ways a way from being ready to handle the starting point guard position. Putting him in the unlikely category of winning this battle. It really is down to Satoransky and Dunn. A few weeks ago it seemed the job will be Satoransky’s to lose, although the Bulls describe it as an open competition. Reports say Kris Dunn has looked really good working out with the Bulls this off-season, leaving many to believe he is a strong possibility to win this battle. But Dunn struggled last season, and mainly him and Zach LaVine struggle with each other. LaVine is expected to carry a heavy load this season, so who ever wins this battle will play a lot of minutes with LaVine. Dunn’s main problem pairing with LaVine is his floor spacing. Dunn while not a terrible shooter isn’t the most respected by opposing defenses. Opposing defenses are not afraid to sag off Dunn leaving more attention and less room to drive for LaVine. Also Dunn is more effective as an on-ball player versus off ball. With LaVine, Dunn plays more off ball which is not putting him in the best position to succeed. Satoransky plays very well off ball, not to mention a more respected/confident shooter. While Dunn’s defense is good, Satoransky is respectable in his own right. Matched with skills better paired with Lavine, this should be Satoransky’s job to lose. But with Dunn heading into a critical season for his career, he will be extra motivated to not only win the job but play at a high level this season.
The last battle is for a spot in the regular season rotation. Most coaches like to go 3-to–5 deep off the bench. Earlier on coaches like to start with a 10-man rotation and ideally trim that down to eight or nineas the season progresses. Assuming the Bulls will start with a 10 man rotation and also assuming that Thaddeus Young, Coby White, and Kris Dunn are locks to make the rotation. The Bulls have two spots open for competition. Back up wing, backup center.
Who is battling for back-up wing/center: Denzel Valentine, Chandler Hutchison, Luke Kornet, Daniel Gafford.
Favorite: Valentine/Kornet
It’s entirely possible Valentine can play backup shooting guard minutes while Hutchison plays back up SF. But with Dunn reportedly looking great, plus the fact he is not a bad player despite down year last season, he likely will get playing time in some capacity. The Bulls invested a 1st round pick in White, I imagine they want to see him out there. Paxson alluded to playing him and Dunn together. As long as White isn’t terrible in preseason, I also assume he will get some minutes to start the season. That leaves Valentine and Hutchison battling it out for back up wing minutes.
Valentine missed all of 2018–19 with ankle issues, but it wasn’t long ago when Valentine was useful to the Bulls. Valentine in 2017–18 was a solid player for the Bulls averaging 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists. He shot 38% from 3, and played solid team defense. If the Bulls can get that Valentine he should be a lock to get minutes in the rotation. His shooting is good, he rebounds, and he moves the ball well. He understands team defense even if he lacks the athleticism to be good on that end. These are all qualities that can help the Bulls win, and pair well with some of their other players.
Chandler Hutchison’s rookie season was cut short after suffering a toe injury. He played in 44 games and overall really struggled. What was mainly clear is Hutchison’s shot is not where it needs to be. What was where it needs to be was Hutchison’s defense and rebounding. Hutchison’s potential defensively is what separates him from Valentine, but his poor offense is also what separates him. Hutchison played in summer league for the Bulls, and they expected him to be one of the better players out there. Simply put though Hutchison’s performance was forgettable. But most disappointing was he didn’t stand out. And as a former 1st round pick going into his 2nd season, it shouldn’t be difficult to stand out in summer league. Hutchison’s summer performance was discouraging and didn’t leave a lot of confidence in him going into the new season. If he wants to beat out Valentine, he will have to show his shot is not a liability out there. But if not at least let his defense stand out, something that did not happen this past summer league.
Back up center is between Kornet and Gafford. I have Kornet as the favorite for now. Gafford was drafted with 38th overall pick (second round). Gafford showed some good things in summer league. He runs the floor, finish strong at the rim, and has a motor you can’t teach. He was everywhere on the court. But his skills are raw, they need work. Half court offense might be a struggle for him other than hustle. Also he is a rookie and will need time. Kornet is a two-year pro, and probably more ready to contribute right away. Kornet’s strength is his ability to stretch the floor as a big, but can also protect the rim with his 7-foot frame. Both players bring something different to the team, so both could be used under different circumstances. But seems to me Gafford will have to earn his minutes throughout the season. Until then, Kornet will handle a majority of the back up center minutes.
The Bulls enter training camp with plenty of questions that need answers. As the Bulls look to take the next step, training camp will determine the right players to help them take that step. At least for Game 1 of the season. This will be one of the more exciting training camps of late not only because expectations are slowly growing, but because there will plenty of players motivated to show up but, most importantly, stand out.
