Marc

Eversley

Denver assistant Wes Unseld Jr., Philly assistant Ime Udoka, Milwaukee assistant Darvin Ham and former Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson are among the coaches who have had strong interviews so far, Shams adds. It’s hard to go wrong with any of these names but Atkinson seems like a dream fit for the rebuilding Bulls after his success with the young talent in Brooklyn -- Bulls GM Marc Eversley made it clear that his top priority was to bring in a coach for player development.

“I was surprised to find there was one player development coach on the staff,” Eversley said. “That’s a hell of a job for one person to take on ... We were the second-youngest team in the NBA last year, and I really believe it starts with a foundation of player development.” No decisions have been made on the coaching front, but the emphasis on youth is good news for guys like Wendell Carter Jr., Coby White, Daniel Gafford, Shaq Harrison and Denzel Valentine. It may also result in a better role for Lauri Markkanen, who has often been marginalized by coach Jim Boylen.