On Sunday, the Chicago Bulls mounted a semi-respectable effort during a 127-121 defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers. Chicago had its chances, but a questionable coaching decision to let time tick away in the Bulls’ final possession without fouling ultimately ended the contest.
While Nicolas Claxton rejoined the team for the first time this year, there was one notable player absence that seemed to, well, help Chicago: All-Star shooting guard Norman Powell.
Defense-first wing Isaac Okoro was plugged into first-year head coach Tiago Splitter’s starting unit and made a quick impact. Okoro is a versatile defender and a far more deferential scorer than Powell. The 26-year-old also registered a +1 plus-minus, fourth-best among active Bulls players. He took just five shots all game in 25 minutes — fewer than all but one of the 10 players who notched rotation minutes.
Powell holding onto the rock and forcing up tough jumpers has clearly rattled Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, while Okoro seems to fit more comfortably alongside them. Giddey and Buzelis looked so much better next to Okoro than they had next to Powell.
Which makes one wonder if Splitter should make the move permanent…
Chicago Bulls guards Norman Powell and Isaac Okoro and center Jalen Smith react.A Permanent Bulls Change Could Bolster Their Two-Way Play
CHGO Bulls analyst Will Gottlieb explains how more Okoro minutes, especially next to current starters Giddey, Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and Jalen Smith, could unlock some intriguing two-way potential for the unit.
Okoro’s limited shooting makes him less of a threat than Powell, but he’s able to set screens and cut to still make defenders pay from totally zoning out when they cover him.
On the other end, he’s the Bulls’ best point-of-attack defender, capable of pressuring lead ball handlers, navigating effectively around screens, and limiting passing options. Extended run for lineups with him and Noa Essengue along the perimeter and Nicolas Claxton inside could actually grade out as plus-defensive units.
The Bulls have been getting out and running through their first nine games this year. Their 104.0 pace ranks first in the league (they finished second last season under Billy Donovan) — but they still have just the 25th-best offensive rating in the league.
Latif Love of Love My Takes cautions that removing Powell from Splitter’s first five would also eliminate a lot of key ingredients in the club’s offense.
Love notes that the Bulls’ offensive efficiency would suffer without Powell’s frequent long-range shooting (he’s taking 6.9 triples a night, although he’s converting just 30.9 percent of them), his 8.6 foul shots a night (which he nails at a 79.7 percent clip), and his relatively strong ball control (he coughs up just 1.8 turnovers a night). Love adds that Powell has appeared in a whopping five of Chicago’s seven positive lineups that have logged 10 or more possessions.
Chicago insider Drew Stevens observes that the Bulls’ net rating with Okoro in lineups next to Powell, Caleb Wilson, and Matas Buzelis is an encouraging +3.7. On a team sporting a -16.2 overall net rating, it may be worth suiting up this foursome together more than the 49 minutes the group has shared so far.
We already know that Splitter appreciates the impact of Okoro, too. According to Gavin Dorsey of Roundtable, Splitter acknowledged that he considers Okoro to be “probably our best perimeter defender.”
The 1-8 Bulls are quite awful, sporting the NBA’s worst defensive and net ratings, the most opponent points allowed in the league, and just the 25th-best offensive rating. They’re not clinging to much. A shakeup might do them some good.
Chicago Bulls wing Isaac Okoro.So… Who Should Start for the Revamped Bulls?
In terms of priorities, the development of Wilson and Buzelis is key. Both are athletic, talented young forwards on rookie-scale contracts. While Rookie of the Year contender Wilson clearly has All-NBA potential, Buzelis (prior to Sunday, at least) had looked like one of the league’s worst high-usage players — though his rim-rocking jams remain something to behold.
Relegating Buzelis to the bench while keeping both Okoro and Powell in the starting lineup would make some rotational sense, but Splitter (and Bryson Graham) likely want to keep Buzelis out there next to Wilson for now.
Giddey, still just 24, is on his second contract and in the midst of his sixth NBA season. While he may still have room to grow, it seems like he thrives in very specific circumstances — and that teams have to mask for his weaknesses as a defender or reliable 3-point threat. But he’s also the highest-upside lead ball handler on the team. Swapping him out for Tre Jones could be an option, but that doesn’t solve the Bulls’ defensive woes along the perimeter.
A long-term first five of Giddey, Okoro, Buzelis, Wilson, and Claxton would ostensibly equip that opening Chicago unit with the best perimeter and post defenders on the roster, while still showcasing the team’s three most important long-term pieces. The Bulls would lose some of Powell’s offensive creativity, but the defensive upgrade to Okoro might be worth it. Powell, on a team-friendly, one-plus-one deal, is also the Bulls’ best trade chip — although Chicago losing this much has to be tanking his value around the market.
Will we see that group on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs? After sitting out Sunday, Powell is considered questionable to return from low back spasms. Claxton will only be suiting up for his second game of the year after a hamstring ailment, and may still be a bench option while on a minutes restriction.
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