In Fred Hoiberg’s perfect world Derrick Rose is not his point guard.
The former MVP is still on the floor for the Bulls, just not dominating the ball every possession.
That would move Jimmy Butler to the small forward spot, as well as limit the decision making Rose seems to struggle with at times in “Hoiball.’’
But for that perfect world to exist, there would need to be a realistic option at the point in free agency or a draft pick that can walk in right from the college game and play Hoiberg’s philosophy. Both will be tough gets.
Not that this draft doesn’t have talented point guards in it. There’s a handful of those, starting with Providence’s Kris Dunn. The problem is picking at No. 14 in Thursday night’s draft, the well could dry up fast for general manager Gar Forman.
That’s why, according to one source, the Bulls were working out a heavy number of outside shooters late in the process, looking to swing in that direction if a point guard doesn’t fall to them.
What is very clear heading into the draft?
If the Bulls thought they were losing distance to Cleveland in the talent race throughout the regular season, well, the playoffs reiterated just how far the Bulls have fallen behind LeBron James and Co.
Yes, the Bulls went 3-1 against the World Champion Cavaliers in the regular season, but once the spotlight came on the Cavs when it mattered most in May and June, different team.
The Cavaliers are busy taking ring sizes right about now, while the Bulls are still trying to figure out if they can actually get Butler and Rose to work out together in Los Angeles next month.
First things first, however, and that means Forman overcoming an inconsistent recent draft history and grabbing the right player in that first round.
2015 – Bobby Portis – The big man from Arkansas fell to the Bulls at No. 22 last season, detracting them from their plans to grab a point guard. He is high-energy, but also raw with a questionable shoot-first mentality. Portis has been working out at the Advocate Center daily, and has been working on his defense.
2014 – Doug McDermott – The shooter showed some signs last season, and is willing to put the work in to improve his game, especially on the defensive end. McDermott said last week that he was once again looking to work out with Butler this offseason in taking those steps.
2013 – Tony Snell – Former coach Tom Thibodeau wanted active big man Gorgui Dieng, but Forman wanted Snell. They should have listened to Thibodeau. Snell was all but unusable at the end of the season for Hoiberg, and is a realistic option to be part of a trade package if the Bulls go in that direction.
2012 – Marquis Teague – Thibodeau and former assistant Ron Adams wanted Draymond Green, but Forman wanted Teague. They again should have listened to Thibodeau. Teague had one of his better seasons this past year, averaging 15.7 points. Unfortunately, that came in the D-League for the Oklahoma City Blue.
2011 – Jimmy Butler – The last really good pick Forman has made, grabbing Butler with the 30th pick in the first round. Butler is a franchise-changer, and player development also played a huge part in his emergence.
Whichever direction the Bulls go, coming off a 42-40 season in which they missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years is not a good look.
It’s a team in serious need of a repair job, starting on Thursday.
