Earlier in the season one of the big problems the Chicago Bulls were facing was the fact that their frontcourt was too deep and they couldn't get their promising rookie Bobby Portis regular minutes. These things typically have a way of working themselves out and in this case they have but unfortunately for the Bulls it has been by way of injuries. Nikola Mirotic is the latest big man on the Bulls to be injured and that may mean some time at power forward for Doug McDermott, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
The Bulls have already lost Joakim Noah for the season after he underwent season ending surgery on his shoulder but now they are without Mirotic for some time after he had an appendectomy. Mirotic is expected to be out until after the All-Star break, according to NBA.com, and his absence leaves Chicago somewhat thin in the frontcourt.
The Bulls still have Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson and Portis available but head coach Fred Hoiberg has liked to use a four man rotation in the frontcourt this season which is where McDermott comes in. McDermott has spent just 15 minutes at the power forward position so far this season compared to over 900 at the small forward spot. The 6-foot-8 forward is not exactly a physical presence or much of a defender so it would be interesting to see how it works out but it would increase his personal versatility and he would help stretch the floor like Mirotic does.
Hoiberg said they were working on McDermott playing the four before Thursday's win over the Lakers and he also mentioned that Jimmy Butler could see some power forward minutes as well. On Thursday neither McDermott nor Butler played any power forward but it could be coming in the near future.
The idea of McDermott playing power forward now might actually help him maintain minutes when the Bulls get everyone back healthy later this season. If the second year pro shows he can handle playing the four he could possibly earn some time there as he is set to lose minutes when Mike Dunleavy finally returns from his back injury. On the surface it doesn't seem like McDermott is a great fit for the power forward spot but Hoiberg may give it a try to see how it goes. If it doesn't work out it is no big deal but the worst that can happen is McDermott increases his versatility which is never a bad thing.
