As Bulls' opener looms, Hoiberg faces some tough calls on playing time
The Chicago Bulls' strategy for the coming season seems simple enough: Develop a few young guys while landing the highest draft pick possible.
But coach Fred Hoiberg will have some tough choices about the playing rotation when the Bulls open the regular season in Toronto on Thursday.
Hoiberg said Sunday he plans to use 10 players and it appears one of their big guys will need to be pushed aside. Since rookie Lauri Markkanen is going to play as long as he's healthy, it could mean Bobby Portis or Cristiano Felicio may see limited court time. Power forward Nikola Mirotic and center Robin Lopez are expected to start against the Raptors.
"Haven't made a full decision," Hoiberg said before practice at the Advocate Center. "We've tried to play different combinations. We played Lauri a little with Niko the other night. We played Lauri a little with Bobby the other night. And we played him with Cris as well with that second group. I've liked different things I've seen out of all those combinations."
While the Bulls may have an extra big man to deal with, the issue could take care of itself. Lopez figures to play less against teams that use smaller lineups.
"Really, the traditional big, there's not a lot of them anymore," Hoiberg said. "So you can get away with playing smaller guys, maybe more skilled lineups out there."
Paul Zipser missed Friday's preseason finale with a sore back, but he returned to practice Sunday and appears to be on pace to start the season opener. Denzel Valentine will share the small forward slot.
Until Kris Dunn returns from a dislocated finger, the Bulls will start Jerian Grant at point guard with Ryan Arcidiacano backing up. David Nwaba seems likely to be in the rotation early this season, backing up shooting guard Justin Holiday.
Of course, everything will change when Zach LaVine returns from a torn ACL in his left knee. If all goes well, LaVine may be ready for game action in December.
Hoiberg mentioned he's looking forward to playing LaVine and Holiday together when the time comes, which would move Zipser into a bench role.
Before practice began, LaVine could be seen running through offense against no defense. At one point he cut to the basket and finished a soft dunk, so he is recovering well from the knee injury.
"We have to make sure he is 100 percent healthy, even though he feels no symptoms right now at all," Hoiberg said. "He's got no soreness in that leg. But he can't wait, his teammates can't wait and the staff obviously is very excited to get him back out there."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls