Bulls want to develop Teague

With Marco Belinelli reportedly verbally agreeing to a two-year, six-million deal with San Antonio on Thursday, supporters of the Italian shooting guard probably are wondering why the Bulls didn’t retain him.

Though Belinelli, who is a solid acquisition for the Spurs and should fit right into their mix of low-maintenance players, had a solid stint in Chicago and offers more of an ability to create off the dribble than the player who will essentially become his replacement, Dunleavy is a better shooter, which is crucial for floor-spacing purposes with Derrick Rose’s return to the lineup next season.


Additionally, because backup Kirk Hinrich, who has been rehabilitating at the Berto Center since the season ended, can play both guard positions, it creates more of an opportunity for 20-year-old Marquis Teague to develop, similar to how the departures of sharpshooter Kyle Korver (who surprised many observers by remaining in Atlanta, reportedly agreeing to a four-year, $24-million contract with the Hawks) and especially swingman Ronnie Brewer last summer paved the way for Jimmy Butler’s emergence, particularly if the point guard can make similar developmental strides over the course of the offseason, both in his ongoing individual workouts in Chicago and in the NBA summer league later this month in Las Vegas.

http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls-talk/bulls-plans-clear-free-agency-approach

 

I understand the logic behind a team drafting Teague with the 29th pick. Teague has good length and quickness and that's a decent start if you have the patience to develop him over a number of years. What I still don't get, what I don't understand, is how the pick makes any sense for the Bulls. Why would you pick such a project at your superstars position? Especially when you plan on giving Hinrich a decent contract in free agency.

I think Thibodeay has license to be pissed at the selection. Gar basically dumped a giant project in his lap at the floor leader position and asked him to go through all the work developing the player when there was little to no chance that he would have a long term future on the team.

It just doesn't make any sense.

 

And.... getting a guy like Teague takes up a roster spot, necessitates having to pay a guy like Hinrich more than he's worth to be the only guy that can play the point other than Rose, and since that money is pissed away, true impact players like Asik are lost.

That being said, if he develops a jump shot, he'll probably be pretty good. This team needs a backup point guard though. Teague should be in the D league while he works on his game.

 

I think the jury's out. Thibs surely would prefer playing a veteran, but he's also developed guys like Rose and Jimmy rather nicely.

The Bulls' record of drafting is mixed (Tyrus, James Johnson), but when they draft a guy like Teague without all the hype (Taj, Jimmy), it seems like they do pretty good.