Anfernee Simons’ comments were somewhat surprising.
Not only was a free agent-to-be insisting that he wanted to return to his team — that’s just smart business — but he said it many times.
If he were trying to sell the media on his happiness in a Bulls uniform, despite appearing in just six games before a wrist fracture ended his season, it worked.
But how realistic is it?
A month ago, not very. The 26-year-old shooting guard seemed to be buried behind a line of guards who were younger — and cheaper in some cases — but that was when the Bulls were still invested in restricted free agent Jaden Ivey.
Once Ivey started making discouraging comments on social media, Simons’ re-signing became a bit more realistic.
But it comes down to this: What will the Bulls get from their two first-round picks?
Say the Bulls get lucky and hit No. 4, draft North Carolina big man Caleb Wilson or Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and then when No. 15 comes around, they grab a rim protector such as Aday Mara or Jayden Quaintance. That bodes well for Simons.
His ability to play next to Josh Giddey in the backcourt would give the Bulls a solid 1-2 scoring punch. Simons never had the reputation for being a good defender with the Trail Blazers, but he bought in on that side of the ball with the Celtics.
Even so, among Matas Buzelis, Wilson or Boozer, and then Mara or Quaintance, there will be plenty of rim protection behind that backcourt.
But if the Bulls stay at No. 9 and grab one of the many guards in the draft, well, it was nice knowing you, Anfernee.
Mikel Brown Jr. would change things for Simons. Could Simons come off the bench? Sure, he did for the Celtics. But that’s an easier sell on a championship team like the Celtics. If that plays out and the Bulls look for veteran leadership and scoring off the bench, Collin Sexton might be a better option. He’s only a year older than Simons but likely would come cheaper.
The Bulls have $58 million to spend, thanks to adding a second first-round pick, so money won’t be that much of an issue. But there are still numerous holes to fill.
So are Simons or Sexton keepers? That will depend on the draft.
Here’s a look at the rest of the Bulls’ free-agent decisions:
C Zach Collins — If the price is right, Collins is a keeper. The injuries are a major concern, but the physicality he brings off the bench and the high IQ make him a great mentor for young frontcourt players. A solid two-year deal to pass the baton? KEEPER
C Nick Richards — The Richards Experiment had a few flashes but far too many down moments. Sure, he’s a rim runner and alley-oop guy who the Bulls haven’t had in years, but he seems to have borrowed the hands of Cristiano Felicio far too often. PASS
F Guerschon Yabusele — Nice guy who played hard out of position for an undersized Bulls frontcourt, but Yabusele was a fill-in for a team that needed bodies to finish out the season. There is bigger game to hunt this offseason than “Le Bear.” PASS
F Leonard Miller — There’s definitely something there for Miller, who has a team-friendly $2.4 million option. It will be a no-brainer to pick that up, as Miller could develop into a high-energy rotation forward. KEEPER
G Mac McClung and G Yuki Kawamura — These two are in the same boat as two-way players and should be kept in that capacity depending on the market. They are both great end-of-the-bench locker-room guys but also replaceable. KEEPER (One or the other for filling out the roster and fulfilling the need a two-way player.)
C/F Lachlan Olbrich — It was great to see the rookie end the season with a triple-double and he does play with an edge, but if the Bulls draft and use their money wisely, he becomes very expendable. He was on a two-way contract. PASS