Projecting Bulls' rotation based on Donovan's philosophy

Three of Lu Dort’s four highest playing time totals from his rookie season came during the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, including 34 minutes, 45 seconds in a Game 7 in which he guarded James Harden.

Dort began last season on a two-way contract and didn’t even appear in a game until December, but eventually started 27 of the Thunder’s final 28 games, missing one with a right knee sprain.

This is instructive on a day Billy Donovan said he ideally likes to have a nine- or 10-man rotation, a decision he is “still evaluating” for the Bulls. That means five or six players initially will be outside Donovan’s rotation once it’s set.

That said, the backdrop of COVID-19, which looms on top of the inherent grind and injury of any typical season, will make this an NBA campaign like no other.

“You can have a situation where you feel like you’ve got a pretty good rotation, you’re playing nine or 10 guys, and, all of a sudden, three or four guys in that rotation test positive and you’re having to utilize someone else,” Donovan admitted. “I think you have to be prepared for those situations.”

And this is where Dort’s situation comes into play. Two injuries provided the chance he seized and never relinquished.

Obviously, readiness to play and remaining professional falls on the player. But what is Donovan’s philosophy for keeping players engaged who are outside the rotation?

“You just can’t play 12, 13 guys,” Donovan said. “So there’s the level of communication you’re going to have to have. You have to help them keep ready. I think we have to make an investment as a coaching staff.

“The worst thing that can happen as a player is if a player is out of the rotation and off on an island by himself. He’s coming in the gym working out by himself. He’s not getting the proper player development program that’s put in place. This is all part of the development piece for not only the guys in the rotation but the guys that are out.

“It’s a long season. A lot of different things happen. I think the worst thing that happens is when a player maybe is upset or disappointed he’s not in the rotation and then when the opportunity comes to get in the rotation, they’re not ready to handle it because they hadn’t prepared themselves for it. So I think it’s a collaboration. It’s a working together with the coaching staff and the players.”

Donovan’s Thunder teams typically went 10 players deep, but roles changed throughout each season. In other words, some players who initially began the season outside the rotation entered it either through production or injury issues.

“Listen, these guys are competitive guys. The reason they are playing is they really are competitive. I would not expect anybody to be satisfied or happy if they are not in the rotation,” Donovan said. “They want to be out there. But it’s also how you respond to those circumstances as well. It doesn’t mean they’re not important.

“A big part to our (Thunder) team in the middle of the year was Lu Dort. If our team stays healthy, who knows if he even gets an opportunity to play. And he ended up being a starter and did a tremendous job defensively for us for the time he was in there. I just think if you have the ability to mentally keep yourself ready to know an opportunity is going to present itself and when it does present itself are you ready not only to capitalize for yourself but are you ready to help the team, that’s really important. They’ve got to stay ready for each other.”

Along those lines, Donovan said he likes to talk to his starters about the merits of staggering their minutes to play with reserves. He seeks input on this process. That typically determines whether it’s a nine- or 10-man rotation.

“If you stagger players, if you take starters and you put them in the second unit, I think what you end up doing is playing nine players,” Donovan said. “If you have a true second unit where you are playing just five players and they’re all playing together, then you are going to be able to play to 10. I think that’s something I’m probably still evaluating.”

Donovan cautioned to not take too much away from the starting five for the Bulls’ preseason opener Friday, or the way he manages minutes throughout their four-game slate, saying they’ll use those games to “look at some different (lineup) combinations,” gauge competitiveness and continue installing his preferred offensive and defensive schemes. 

But, for when the games begin to count: Here’s a handicapped look at Donovan’s potential initial rotation.

The Locks

Zach LaVine, Coby White, Otto Porter, Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr., Tomáš Satoranský, Thad Young, Patrick Williams

Analysis: This group features the presumed starting five, although the way Donovan keeps talking about the need to preserve Porter, perhaps starting Young at small forward or Chandler Hutchison or Williams comes into focus. Young and Satoranský provide veteran presence and reliability, another word Donovan has used frequently. Williams is young, but his defensive mindset and the need to play for the future makes him a fit.

In the Running

Daniel Gafford, Chandler Hutchison, Garrett Temple, Denzel Valentine

Analysis: One or two of these players will certainly be in the rotation whether it’s nine or 10 deep. Gafford showed plenty of promise in his rookie season and likely will see regular playing time if the rotation extends to 10. But Donovan also has plenty of potential to play smaller lineups with Young and Markkanen playing reserve center minutes. 

One, if not two, of Hutchison, Temple or Valentine will emerge and ultimately be in the above “locks” category. Hutchison is probably the best bet to start in a pinch. Temple and Valentine provide the always-valued shooting, but they’re both starting from behind due to Temple’s positive COVID test and Valentine’s tweaked hamstring.

Staying Ready on the Outside

Ryan Arcidiacono, Luke Kornet, Cristiano Felício 

Analysis: Donovan tried hard to recruit Arcidiacono to Florida and epitomizes the stay-ready dependability that all coaches seek. Kornet is salvageable in the right situation, particularly because of his unique, stretch-five ability. The biggest value for Felício is his expiring deal at the trade deadline.