Here are Derrick's month by month stats this season: It's been going difficult through the ups and downs, but his play has been on a steady climb upward the entire season. It remains to be seen how this ultimately blends with the play of Jimmy and the team as a whole, but Derrick's quietly becoming an impact player again.
Impressive to see. Also, in Feb, he's getting to the line around 5 times a game. His average on the season is 2.9. He hasn't been over 4 since his last all-star season, 2011-2012. The 3 point attempts are way down from last year, which is good to see. If he can keep the fta around 5 or higher and getting his touch back around the rim he'll be a productive player again. A cynical person would perhaps think that he's revving up the engine for a big contract year next year. He'll take contact and get to the line to get paid.
Even if that were the case, that means you have 1 more year where you can bank on all-star level Derrick. I wonder if Pau would accept a 1 year deal. You could see where the team goes, and if it looks like the core has another 2-3 years left in the tank you re-up everyone. If not then Pau, Taj, Niko, Derrick and Snell are all FA's and you can let most of them walk. You could trade Jimmy who'd still have 3 years on his contract, giving him a lot of value. That'd be a pretty quick way to hit the reset button.
Clearly Rose is playing more and more like an all-star these days and also on the second game of a back-to-back.
Wrong. Horribly troubling depending on motive. Also makes it very tough when it comes time to resign him. Depending on motive.
I don't know about Pau taking a one year deal at his age. This upcoming contact will likely be his last bigger money deal and if a contending team offers him 2 I'm pretty sure he's going to take it. He's come out and said already this Bulls thing hasn't gone as planned. It would fit nicely .... the scenario you present. Worse case Derrick is increasing his trade value I guess. If he has turned some kind of corner and he'll be at least a good player for the next 5+ years than great. Makes it tough to make the resign decision. And if he can't do this with Butler around that's also an issue. He was a 16 PER player last season so its nice to see him putting a string of productive games together. The getting to the line thing is the most important, as it shows he's willing to pay the price again.
Will be interesting to see if Rose keeps the good times rolling against John Wall tonight. Good test of where he's at against an elite player.
Agreed that it'd make sense for him to want a 3 year deal. However, it didn't make the most financial sense for him to come here in the first place, so if the end of the season goes very well he might consider it. I'm pretty sure Pau grew up wealthy and he seems to be lifestyle maximizing rather than salary maximizing with his career moves right now. Maybe a 2 year deal with a player option for the 2nd? We can let him decide how he wants to go about it. Agree again. I actually think Derrick's agility has gone up a notch these last two months. Last year I thought athletically he moved in a straight line moreso than pre-injury and he's changing angles at full speed for the first time before he went down.
Yes, this makes sense. His touch around the rim also looks as if its getting somewhat closer to the good Derrick. That was another one of his remarkable skills. ---- Frustrating last night to arrive at the UC and hear that Derrick wasn't playing. I was looking forward to seeing him square off against Wall.
