The Bulls overhauled their roster by making seven trades ahead of last week’s deadline, but the new-look team is focused more on competing than rebuilding, Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune writes in a subscriber-only story. Seven new players were on the court Saturday against Denver, and even though they had barely practiced together as a group, the Bulls held a seven-point lead going into the fourth quarter before the game slipped away.
“We definitely can be very special,” said Collin Sexton, who was acquired from Charlotte on Thursday. “I feel like for us to have one walk-through and to go out there pretty much jelling and making the right reads and doing this together. … It was super fun. At the end of the day, I know something good is coming.”
The Bulls had lost five of their last six games heading into the deadline, and management had no interest in being a perennial play-in team any longer, according to Sullivan. The purge was framed as “a stage” rather than a full rebuild, with more significant moves expected this summer.
The long-range plan is to build around young talent like second-year forward Matas Buzelis, who is viewed as a franchise cornerstone. Coach Billy Donovan said Buzelis got a “taste of this (league) as a business” at the deadline and was “still processing” all the moves that took place.
“It’s tough, of course, but at the end of the day you’ve just got to accept what happens,” Buzelis said. “That’s just what it is. I’m happy to see these guys here. I think we’ve got something special and we can make it work, but it’s tough, losing all my brothers. It is what it is, and you’ve got to accept it. … Those guys are always going to be part of my circle. They impacted me as a player. I’m never going to forget the relationships I’ve built with them over the years. They were great vets to me.”
There’s more from Chicago:
- Donovan’s up-tempo offense is a better fit for Rob Dillingham than he had in Minnesota, observes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times (subscription required). The No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, Dillingham wasn’t able to crack the Wolves’ rotation, but he played a season-high 22 minutes on Saturday, finishing with nine points and setting up teammates for two impressive alley-oop dunks. ‘‘At times, we’ve struggled to get downhill,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘He’s the one guy, when the ball is in his hand, that can really break people down, play off the dribble and put some pressure on the basket.’’
- With a $27.7MM expiring contract, Anfernee Simons understands that the next few weeks will help to determine his NBA future, Cowley adds in a separate story. Simons plans to take the same approach he did when he was traded to Boston last summer. “I think even before [the trade], it was always going to be a job interview with this being the last year of my contract,” he said. “I’ve just got to make the most out of these last couple of months here, start building chemistry with the guys and see where that goes.”
- Sexton talks about serving as a veteran leader for the young roster in an interview with K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (YouTube video link).
Neither Simons or Sexton will be apart of the team next year, so it doesn’t matter how well they perform. Getting Rob D was great bc he’s still so young and have immense potential. At Kentucky, he was one of the best players on the court. I agree the tempo and pace will help him grow his game. I’m tired of Donovan making Buzelis into Markkannen, he keeps shooting so many 3’s when he has the ability to get to the basket with his athleticism and length. If we can get into the top 7 for the draft, and grab Wagner from Illinois or Ament from Tennessee, I will be excited. Both are legit buckets and have great size as well.
The Bulls will probably take a big like Ament over a guard. Let’s hope they win the lottery or at least get into the top 3!
I like Ament at the next level but Wagler is a bucket and such shot creativity. I like his range and size too, in growing into a solid defensive player.
Not sure why Sexton couldn’t be here. Wagler is special. Summer League next year would be a must watch with Essengue and Wagler and whatever else they get. Signing a FA C would be a must if they draft Wagler. But if they draft Wagler that might even free up a Giddey trade if they really wanted to get creative. Is AK up to it? I have doubts.
I disagree with you. I think the whole purpose was to get a first hand look at each guy to confirm their interest in extending them once their deals expire. Why else would they trade for expiring contracts for expiring contracts all for about the same amount? Sexton they kept while trading the other. I bet you they offer him a deal.
They do need a 6th man off the bench I agree. I rather have Sexton than Simons. Simons is a bucket but Sexton’s energy and motor is contagious. I feel like Simons when his shot isn’t falling, becomes disinterested in the game on both ends of the floor. Sexton, I don’t mind extending him for the right price. We have so much cap space, I’m petrified they might blow it on mid players to stay a mid team.
Like both Simons and Sexton. Much better natural scorers than White and Dosunmu. Hope that the Bulls do offer both two more years if at reasonable money. Simons can score ‘off the bounce’ unlike White and Dosunmu.
You make Simons and Sexton out to be old when they are a decade younger then me, makes me feel like a senior citizen. Thanks. I’ll go to the retirement home and take a nap now.
Celtics really missed Simons last night.
Bench got trashed w/o him on it.
Could Sexton or Simons be a buyout candidate when Giddey comes back? There doesn’t seem like there will be enough PT to keep all their guards happy. My guess is the Bulls will want to get the longest looks at Ivey & Dillingham.
Simons is looking for a new deal. I thought he was a great fit with White in Boston. But I understand trading for a stretch 5. Vuc is probably easier to sign also. This move was made with Tatum in mind.
Giddey and Ivey should be the starting backcourt. With Dillinham backing up. Not much different than Coby starting. Ivey does still have upside. Has a QO for next yr. Gives Bulls time to get a good look.
Also gives them time to get a good look at Dillingham. Who is still on his rookie contract.
I like the Richards move. He should be signed at a reasonable price. He’s a D guy solid rebounder. A good fit in Chicago.
One thing I’d point is that Essengue’s a virtual unknown to the fanbase. His play, his demeanor, etc we don’t know how he will react for next year and beyond. That being said, I truly believe Karnišovas will sell us on Giddey/Buzelis/Essengue on being the next core for the Bulls for the remainder of this decade.
I think Chicago are yet to have their stud. Essengue was a strange pick. Giddey and Buzelis are definitely in Chicago’s future.
I’d prefer experienced bigs myself. I’ve seen to many not work out while passing on stud wings who these days are a stretch 4 and can instantly contributes and tend to develop much quicker. Hopefully nail the next few drafts for Bulls fans.
Nrg82,
We are doomed as a franchise. I have no hope lol sadly. AK has made too many mistakes for us as fans to count he’ll get it right.
Yeah the front office is an issue. Don’t think Jerry helps either. To be fair you haven’t had much luck. Rose era, Lonzo, Zach, DeRozen and vuch wasn’t the wrong play at the time. Extending all of the above and not cashing in to hover around the play in was a mistake.
Sold low on all.
I wanted Aaron Gordon over Vu in 2021 prior to them dealing for Vu. I kept saying they needed athleticism on the front line, but they didn’t, and to make matters worse they gave up a pick that ultimately led to Franz Wagner. Right team, wrong player. Just like Patrick Williams, instead of Scottie Barnes, same draft position just a year apart. Same size and frame too….lmao
Things I’d like to see the Bulls do. Draft a C or PF. The only other person I would consider would be Wagler. I see a a lot of Steph Curry in him and his ability to shoot is special and might free up a Giddey trade even. Wagler, Dillingham, Ivey and maybe Sexton could work.
Think the Bulls could go all in and sign a C like Hartenstein if they draft Wagler. Maybe re sign Collins because they won’t have to pay him anywhere near the 18 million bucks he got this year and he could be a comeback type. Richards and Yabusele? Not sure if they fit but hey if they get nothing else in FA maybe?
Let’s see if AK learned anything at all from this year as far as Okoro, Smith, and Tre Jones are concerned. All on expiring deals. Might be used for the rights to move up in the draft. Smith is a nice player but he’s been here 2 years one injured and bad and one good being this year. Now is the time to sell high.
Simons I like but he might be a bit more expensive than I would pay for just a shooter. The Bulls have other cheaper options.
I’ve only seen him play one game but I don’t see why Dillingham got such a bad rap. Kid is obviously talented. And as an up tempo guy Donovan couldn’t ask for a better fit. He’s as up tempo as it gets. Wish we had a FO and coach to figure out how these nice pieces could fit together. There’s a lot of clay to work with here just needs an artist to make something out of it and they have the money to do it. Maybe, Just maybe they have enough pieces to make a move like Williams and pieces for a risk like Zion. It might work it might not but they wouldn’t be any worse off than they are with Williams. Sign and trades, Pieces plus picks, A lot can be done. Will it? Who knows.
I’d love to get Wagler next to Giddey and Buzelis. 6’8 PG, 6’6 SG and 6’8 Buzelis. I agree we need a center, but there are some slim pickings. I believe they’ll resign Collins to a cheaper 2 year deal, then draft one with the Pelicans pick, Tank has them getting Kansas’ Flory Bidunga who is 6’10 and 235. He needs to add about another 15-20 pounds before the draft.
They are in lottery this yr Cenac a stetch 5 who plays inside too. Is a solid pick for Bulls. With Richards they make a good combo. Cenac is projected 8-12. UH center, check him out in tournament.
I like Cenac alot but he’s rated currently at 21st best prospect. Problem is if we take him in the lottery, it’ll be a reach, and they won’t make playoffs so he won’t be able after the lottery is done. He would be great on the Celtics or Raptors though. Agree with you on Richards as well, I always liked his game. He’s 28 I had no idea, so maybe bring him back for 1 year deal.
Imo he is best center prospect in draft. He is definitely going in lottery. UH could win the tournament. Only other center is Quaintance and he is still raw, more D. Considering where Bulls will pick. Only other player I consider is Lendeborg a PF. Good centers are harder to find. Cenac will be a lottery pick.
I haven’t seen either Patrick Ngongba II (Duke) or Malachi Moreno (Kentucky) yet, but Ngongba is projected to be top 20 pick according to Tank. I like Quaintance he has the size to be a NBA 4. March Madness will definitely make or break some of these lower 1st round picks stocks.
I agree lol. Guys will rise or fall.
Also, I like Koa Pete from Arizona. 6’8 and has NBA body. Could be a Jaden McDaniels type player in this draft. Wouldn’t be upset if we land him somehow.
all I deciphered from all that was that everything happens……at the end of the day…..