How Long Can This Go On?

The Bulls travelled to the Great North Woods, where they vanquished the Timberwolves, 120-115. Think David over Goliath or, better yet, the wee folk toppling a roster full of Paul Bunyans. Trust me when I say Nikola Vucevic looked kind of puny matched up against the T-Wolves’ frontcourt. So, great win, and Josh Giddey is back (fingers crossed, prayers going out for his hamstring). Now what? Does Billy Donovan spend the rest of the season playing the hand Arturas Karnisovas has dealt him, or does Karnisovas start moving some of those expiring contracts and bevy of guards he’s accumulated? You tell me. I do know that I love guard Tre Jones, a cleaner version of the late, great Norm Van Lier. What Jones lacks as a defender (and he he’s OK) compared to Stormin’ Norman, he more than makes up as a playmaker. Last night, with just 31 seconds left in the game, Jones—all 6’ 1” of him—drove the lane, Bunyans be damned, for what proved to be the game-winning basket. This is not a player to be undervalued. Ditto center/forward Jalen Smith, who contributed seventeen points in a starting role. If Vucevic gets dealt, Smith steps in as center, with Zach Collins as backup, assuming Collins’ big toe ever heals. As with Jones, Smith is a talent worth keeping. Who, if anyone, should go, then? My vote would be Coby White, who’ll be testing free agency come the offseason. You have to appreciate White for his determination; this is someone who willed himself into an offensive force. Only he doesn’t play much defense, and he’s prone to the big turnover. Giddey and Jonest make more sense. With Ayo Dosunmu spelling either of them off the bench? Yes, but Dosunmu will be joining White in the free-agent ranks. It’s all so complicated. Best just to sit back, watch (tomorrow the Celtics come to town), and wait.