The Bulls haven’t adjusted to losing Lonzo. If Coby White’s in, then either Demar is left out; or, you start Carter and build an offense around having all of White/Derozan/Lavine off-ball. It’s clear Donovan has lost the locker room.No one on this team believes in their collective selves. Often, their top two fold and look for their own.
I say put them out of their misery. Move Demar ASAP, since he’s the only one who can’t compliment a White/Lavine backcourt, and you want time to evaluate the rest of the roster (before trade deadline). His shots can go to a Lavine/White/PWill big three and they can be properly assessed in more favorable and consistent playstyles and line-ups.
Same with Donovan.
He can get one more chance with a better fitting roster and a trade of the captain to light a fire under everyone. Hopefully they look at the 2014 suns and Jeff Hornacek for some ideas based on the Dragic/Bledsoe pairing. Worst case scenario they lose more games and better their lottery odds while raising the trade value of their players ahead of the deadline.
As for trade partners…
I think the Spurs would be the best fit for him because he answers a lot of their basketball needs, but also: Wemby is the perfect fit for him. In fact, Derozan has never actually played with his ideal pairing mate. That being a tall/athletic big who can hit threes, screen and roll, and iso/create on one end; while protecting the rim AND covering the perimeter on the other. Not a lot of players can do that obviously but that’s what Derozan has always needed to cover his weaknesses in the modern era.
Basketball-wise, they get a ball handler, play-maker and all-nba level scorer. All in a guy who’s played under pop before in the exact role they need. More so, he is aging with a game that should allow him to transition to more of a playmaker/shooter without losing much production. Pop don’t have time to tank again. They would be competitive this season if it worked out. Then Derozan could re-sign, and be The Butler AND The Robin to Wemby’s Batman in his “twilight-prime.”
That’s the ideal fit as fan, hopefully they accept a few seconds just to move him to the right spot and get something back for the expiring. Reuniting with Lowry in Miami would also be nice to see. Milwaukee could be a good fit too with Lillard/Midleton/Lopez spacing.
Spurs aren’t competing this year, possibly not for another couple years. They’re not making a trade for DeRozan