Nick Friedel

But I am curious to see how it plays out because Matt does have connections in a lot of different places.

I know Micah Norrie's name has popped up.

in the coaching talk and we'll see what happens there.

But I had two thoughts, Marshall, which was I'm happy for Matt if this is actually what happens.

And I thought, of course, this is what happens because it's the Bulls.

Layla, I would tell you the biggest thing that comes to mind even as we're having this conversation now is it's not even so much about Matt as you talk to people around the league.

The biggest question in the last week or so is

We don't really care who the Bulls hire.

Are they actually going to spend?

And what I mean by that is for years and years, the Bulls scouting department was much smaller than others around the NBA.

The analytics department was much, much smaller.

There were times that you'd look around and be like, wait a minute, all these teams are adding all these different pieces all over, and what the hell are the Bulls doing?

I mean, as far as the optics go, they've been the same way for a long time, which is the Bulls don't want to spend at the same level that their peers do across the league.

in Michael's defense, I think, in the last couple years, he has gotten a message, and they're starting to spend a little bit more.

But I don't care if it's Matt Lloyd or anybody else.

The question that any of these execs are going to have is, are you going to spend now?

And that's what the league is watching now.

almost as much as who is the person going to be to run the show now?

Because it's an arms race across the NBA.

And again, I'm not just talking about salaries for players.