NFL
By: Stephen Garner
Thompson was said to have cleared waivers last night, almost suddenly, as the Bulls secured a 125-118 win over the Sacramento Kings.
Albeit unique in its initial informing, it was stamped with even more viable credit.
The news first came from Indiana Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle in his postgame presser:
This was then followed by a tweet from The Athletics Shams Charania:
The Indiana Pacers will waive center Tristan Thompson, coach Rick Carlisle says. Thompson will sign a new deal with the Chicago Bulls after he clears waivers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 17, 2022
In that, it seems as though Arturas Karnisovas has done just as I suggested in my last Bulls-related post, which was to add a viable veteran piece to this solid collection of talent to improve upon the fringes.
My suggestion in that post was Paul Millsap, as he was both targeted by the Bulls over the summer and was also the best-deemed piece amongst the league that was primed for a buyout as he and the Nets agreed to part ways and trade specifically for him was likely to ensue.
He was, however, included as a filler in the blockbuster Harden for Simmons swap between the Nets and 76ers, which presently has him slotted to play a bench role for Philadelphia the rest of this season.
Tristan Thompson
Shortly after the Kings included him in a package to receive Domantas Sabonis from the Pacers, my mind quickly pivoted to him as a legitimate option for the Bulls.
Is Tristan a buyout candidate now?
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) February 8, 2022
Fast forward eight days later and they are adding a player exuding the same intangible dynamics I suggested would benefit the Bulls via Millsap, but is doing so on a taller/wider stature, and has even more experience than the former has compiled, as Thompson has a ring to show from his four consecutive Finals appearances, helping anchor the Cleveland Cavaliers backline with versatility and grit.
The 2021-22 rendition of the now 11th year Texas product is not quite as fleet of foot in the manner that made him a lynchpin in the Cavaliers championship run, but he is however still capable (in limited minutes) in space defensively because of his good footwork and wingspan, performing viably in deploying any of the pick and roll coverages whether it’s drop, at (or near) the level of the screen, or helping put two on the ball.
His potential ball pressure and still solid fluidity moving laterally along with the likes of Ball/Caruso/Green/Dosunmu fighting over screens will be fun to see.
He also presents skill in performing dribble handoffs as he’s been used in said actions at all of his stops in his career, solid IQ in screen positioning and savvy angling to free up ball handlers, short roll playmaking via his dribble after the outlet or via his own secondary pass, soft-touch in finishing (with either hand) with feathery touch and finesse (via hook shots or floaters anywhere from the elbow and in) or power, and rim running to help push the pace and generate offense.
All of these seemingly make him a perfect fit to play in Vucevic’s off minutes and also give a different look when Vucevic is targeted in the playoffs.
Thompson’s ultimate standout, and where he’ll most impactfully add to this team, however, is most certainly his signature offensive rebounding prowess.
He has an infectious motor that will certainly complement the Bulls’ “Floor Burn Kings” in Caruso, Ball, and Green.
That, coming from a bigger frame and a true frontcourt piece, automatically bodes well.
Thompson, since his 4th season, has yet to rank any lower than 90th percentile in offensive rebound percentage (the percentage of his teams missed field goals that he corralled).
To bring even more context, Thompson averaged career-low minutes per game of 15.2 in 30 games with the Kings this season. In those minutes (which nearly cut his career average in minutes per game in half, mind you) he registered his career-best rebound percentage of 15.3% which is good for 96th percentile (7th in the league) this season.
Per 36 minutes a game this season he’s at 5.5 offensive boards a game, and per 100 possessions he’s at an absurd 7.3, both career-best paces.
The Bulls as a team are 29th in offensive rebound percentage this season.
Adding Thompson for virtually nothing aside from waiving an end of the bench player is a potential floor-raising move, as any extra possessions earned for an offense as prolific as the Bulls are is an absolute godsend, especially when the game slows down in the halfcourt on the playoffs stage.
Also, as I mentioned in the Millsap post, the bulls are near the bottom of the league in rebounding when Vucevic is resting. The addition of Thompson also directly addresses that flaw too as he is in the 73rd percentile corralling opposing teams misses this season.
Now he’s not perfect, as he is not a good free-throw shooter (currently at a career-low 51.5% on 2 attempts a night), and he’s also leaves more to be desired in rim protection at times, but the contrast in him being able to move his feet more viably in space than Vucevic, in tandem with the ample strong help defenders the Bulls have compiled, should be plenty enough to suffice in the 14.1-ish minutes he’ll play per night in spelling Vuc, a role he’s flourished in each of the last two seasons.
He gives them more they had in those Vucevic-less minutes prior to his acquiring.
In all, he’s an energy big that’s also tough and is merely an addition to shore up the end of the Bulls rotation in a cost-effective manner, not one to put them over the top of any given team. He’s also a fun personality and respected talent to add to an already fun group.
As his inevitable clearing of waivers is completed and he joins the Bulls squad, expect for him to help fortify Billy Donovan’s playoff rotation as the Bulls grow back whole.
