East Notes: Bulls, Zach LaVine, Hornets, Pistons

Bulls

The Bulls deserve low marks for their offseason following the trade of DeMar DeRozan to the Kings, per Kevin Pelton of ESPN. For the record, a “D” grade is what’s warranted for Chicago.

“The Bulls ended up with an expensive roster that doesn’t look capable of competing for a playoff spot after the loss of DeMar DeRozan in free agency,” Pelton wrote.

He wasn’t finished on giving reasons as to why they have done nothing to improve.

“The Bulls were unable to attain value from the sign-and-trade that sent DeRozan to Sacramento — adding more salary could have pushed them in the luxury tax,” Pelton added. “But they paid near the top of the market to re-sign restricted free agent Patrick Williams (five years, $90 million) and bring in backup center Jalen Smith (three years, $27 million). The Bulls are also betting big on Josh Giddey as the sole return for valuable role player Alex Caruso and will look to extend Giddey ahead of restricted free agency.”

• That said, Lonzo Ball could be set to return for next season, as we relayed here. For whatever that’s worth.
• As for guard Zach LaVine, there’s a sense he will begin the season with the Bulls despite their continued efforts to trade him. We have that full story here.

Hornets

The Hornets earned a “B” from Pelton, which is the first sign of promise around Charlotte in quite some time.

“After picking a direction by moving Terry Rozier and P.J. Washington before the trade deadline and bringing in both a new lead decision-maker (Jeff Peterson) and head coach (Charles Lee), the Hornets are now operating like a rebuilding team,” Pelton wrote. “They added three second-round picks to take on Reggie Jackson‘s modest salary and nabbed Josh Green for a second-rounder as part of the Klay Thompson sign-and-trade.”

• Of course, they are also keeping talented forward Miles Bridges. “Guaranteeing Bridges a three-year, $75 million deal after his 2022 no-contest plea to felony domestic violence charges was more questionable,” Pelton wrote. “From a basketball standpoint, however, Bridges’ descending contract should increase his trade value over time.”

Pistons

There’s been plenty of change and veteran additions with the Pistons. Nonetheless, a “D” grade is all they could muster from Pelton.

“Although the Pistons avoided the worst missteps that have put them in the lottery for five consecutive seasons, they failed to take advantage of the most cap space in the NBA,” Pelton wrote. “They acquired veterans Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris, the latter signed after a disappointing season for the third-largest annual salary among players who changed teams, plus they won a waiver claim for Paul Reed.

“There will be more shooting around Detroit’s recent lottery picks, including newly extended 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham, but the Pistons haven’t added any long-term rotation players.

• Of course, Detroit also hired coach J.B. Bickerstaff, fired after five-and-a-half seasons with the Cavaliers. “The Pistons’ most important newcomer might be acclaimed shooting coach Fred Vinson, tasked with improving Detroit’s past two first-round picks, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland,” Pelton wrote.