The comments from Anfernee Simons were somewhat surprising.
Not only that an NBA free agent-to-be was insisting that he wanted to return to his current team — that’s just smart business — but also how many times Simons said it.
If he were trying to sell the media on his happiness while playing in a Bulls uniform, despite appearing in just six games before a wrist fracture ended his season, it worked.
How realistic is it, though?
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 going on his social-media platforms and making discouraging comments, well, Simons re-signing with the Bulls became a bit more realistic.
But it comes down to this: What do the Bulls get out of 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 if he should drop a spot, and then when No. 15 comes around they grab a rim protector like 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 didn’t have the reputation for ever being a good defender in his Portland days, but bought in on that side of the ball while playing for the Celtics.
Even so, between Matas Buzelis, Wilson or Boozer, and then a Mara or Quaintance, there will be plenty of rim protection behind that backcourt to help out.
If the Bulls stay at No. 9, however, and grab one of the many guards in that area code of the draft, well, it has been nice knowing you, Anfernee.
Mikel Brown Jr. would change things for Simons. Could he come off the bench? Sure, he did for the Celtics. But that’s an easier sell for a championship team like Boston. If that’s the scenario, and the Bulls are looking for veteran leadership and scoring off the bench, that’s where 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 also numerous holes to fill on this roster.
So are Simons or Sexton keepers? That will depend on the draft.
The rest of the free-agent decisions for the Bulls:
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