NBA Notes: Bulls, Norman Powell, Nets, Julius Randle, Kings

Bulls

The Bulls finally appear serious about rebuilding. That means some familiar roles may not look so familiar anymore.

Elias Schuster of NBA on SI pointed to Norman Powell, Josh Giddey and Leonard Miller as three players whose jobs could shift this season.

Powell is the interesting one. He was an All-Star last season and averaged 21.2 points for Miami, but Chicago isn’t exactly entering the season with championship-or-bust expectations. The Bulls are trying to develop Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson, which could eventually mean fewer shots and more of a supporting role for Powell.

Giddey may face an adjustment, too. The previous front office gave him a four-year, $100 million deal and clearly viewed him as a foundational piece. The new regime didn’t make that commitment. So this season may be as much about proving he fits as anything else.

Miller, meanwhile, could be headed in the opposite direction. He averaged nearly 15 points and 7.3 rebounds over his final 18 games last season after arriving from Minnesota. At 22, he’s exactly the type of player the Bulls should want to see more of.

So yes, Chicago may lose plenty. But at least this time, there appears to be an actual point to it.

Nets

If we’re buying imaginary Nets stock, NBA on SI’s Jed Katz has a few suggestions.

Egor Dëmin and Day’Ron Sharpe are the buys. Terance Mann is the sell. Julius Randle is apparently a hold.

Honestly, that sounds about right. Dëmin averaged 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists as a rookie and enters Year Two with considerably more opportunity. Sharpe should finally get his chance as the starting center after Nic Claxton left for Chicago.

Mann could be squeezed by Brooklyn’s army of younger guards, while Randle is the wild card.

We’ve seen Randle carry offense before. We’ve also seen things get messy when the fit isn’t quite right. Now he’ll share a rebuilding Nets team with Michael Porter Jr., which at least makes them more interesting than your typical rebuilding team.

Nobody says you have to buy the whole portfolio.

Kings

How long before the Kings start thinking about pulling the plug? Hopefully longer than Halloween.

Will Zimmerle of NBA on SI examined that possibility after Sacramento won just 22 games last season. The Kings still have veterans such as Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Malik Monk, but they’re also clearly moving toward something younger.

If the losses pile up quickly, Sacramento could accelerate that process.

Last season, the Kings waited until around the 60-game mark before really shifting toward development. This time, you’d think they’d reach that conclusion earlier if things go sideways.

Coach Doug Christie could also be part of the conversation. Zimmerle noted that Christie enters his second full season with a team option for next year and no long-term security.

Recent Kings history suggests patience isn’t always the organizational specialty. Mike Brown lasted 31 games before being fired. Luke Walton lasted 17.

Nobody should be predicting Christie’s dismissal before training camp even starts.

But if Sacramento opens 6-19? Well, we’ve seen this movie before.