Rival teams are keeping an eye on the Bulls amid their slow start, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Friday on “NBA Today” (hat tip to Bleacher Report). Chicago is 13th in the East with a 3-6 record, leading to speculation that changes could be coming soon.
“In talking to some people around the league, the scouts are jamming themselves into Bulls games because they realize that at some point, the Bulls may break this team up,” Windhorst said. “And they’re all gathering intelligence like, ‘What’s gonna happen with the Bulls?'”
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are expected to be in demand if Chicago decides to shake up its roster. There has been speculation that the Sixers may pursue LaVine with the assets they got in the James Harden deal, although one subsequent report said the Bulls have “no intention” of trading the high-scoring guard. DeRozan is playing on an expiring $28.6MM contract and hasn’t been able to work out an extension, so the team may be more inclined to part with him if it becomes a seller.
There’s more from Chicago:
- Alex Caruso would be a valuable trade chip if the Bulls decided to move him, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. Even though he comes off the bench and his value is primarily on defense, Caruso has been the team’s most valuable player so far this season, according to Mayberry. Caruso would be a valuable addition for anyone aiming to win right away and he’s signed for one more year at a team-friendly $9.9MM, Mayberry adds. A Caruso deal could help the Bulls replenish their depleted draft capital.
- Dalen Terry, a first-round pick in 2022, has been assigned to the G League several times already this season while rookie Julian Phillips has remained with the Bulls, but coach Billy Donovan said that’s not reflective of their standing on the team, Mayberry states in the same piece. “Dalen had a whole year last year with the group,” Donovan said. “He was down in the G League some but not necessarily a lot. I think getting Julian acclimated to NBA life, around our team, practices, the flow, those kinds of things, is important. There will be a time when he’ll end up going down there and playing in games.”
- DeRozan said he never liked Jevon Carter as an opponent because of his tenacity on defense and his mismatched shoes. Carter explained to Mayberry that the different-color sneakers were a way to get attention for the AND1 brand when he wasn’t playing regularly.
Good thing it took the Bulls a couple of seasons to realize this roster wouldn’t work…
Could have broken the team up and gotten a boatload of picks for Derozan, LaVine, and Vucevic during last season. Instead, they kept them all and even extended Vucevic. Sucks with Balls’ injury, but the Bulls might be spinning their wheels for a while.
At some point GMs need to know when to fail fast, but job security I guess is an issue. The Bulls are a good example that the chemistry wasn’t there. Luckily for them the Vucevic signing isn’t too bad – the cost per year is very reasonable.
The Bulls are a perfect example of the pieces are more Valuable than the collection.
Pretty much anyone that really watches hoops could have told you this team was going to suck.
Except those that looked at the fact that the Bulls had the 5th best rated defense last season and went 46-36btje season prior with pretty much the same core guys on the squad.
I have to think a post like this has KnickerbockerAl smiling from ear to ear!
He is prob putting on lipstick too like the guy in Billy Madison lol
It’s just not that I want DeM. I’ve been saying since Ball went down. Quickley can solve a lot of their issues. I’m sure they can get a good deal done with Knicks. DeM is a FA to be. So it makes sense to retool around Zach. Williams can play his natural position. And now you can get a real 4.
I know Thibs wouldn’t want to give up Grimes. I would cause I believe DeM makes us a contender for next 3-4 yrs.
Quickley, Grimes, Fournier should be enough. But I believe in his fit with Knicks. I’d give up Knicks #1 pick next yr also.
Stop. Quickley and Grimes are improving, DD is declining. By next season DD will be the least effective of the three.
I doubt you understand this game. So I’ll leave your weak take alone.
Do you watch the Knicks ????
Do you know DeM ????
Apparently you don’t.
1. DeRozan and Drummond for Hayward, Richards and 3 second round picks
Hornets need depth at SG and to clear Hayward so Miller can run the 3 spot. They would definitely benefit from adding 2 solid experienced veterans to this young team. DeRozan can help Miller develop his game as cam Drummond help Williams. Terry Rozier does fall back into the sixth man job along with Bridges when he returns that will be a fun unit to watch.
Bulls get Hayward a more natural SF than can play at PF if needed who will be keen to preform well on his expiring deal. Nick Richards he’s a solid young centre and then a bunch of picks…
Bulls should go and get Bagley. He’s from Chicago and still young enough to get better. He’d come cheap. Plus playing at home should pump him up. At worst he can be a solid rotation piece. He’s worth the gamble to me.
DeM DeR >>>> to Knickerbockers ……
They should trade ayo
No way. Ayo is one of like 3 bulls that I know actually gives a s**t