The Bulls are giving Collin Sexton a spotlight that he might not have expected when he was traded to the team last month, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times writes in a subscriber-only piece. The veteran guard played 38 minutes on Thursday at Phoenix and responded with 30 points as Chicago posted a surprising road win.
‘‘Definitely very appreciative,’’ Sexton said. ‘‘At the end of the day, I always take one day at a time, one second at a time, one minute at a time. At the end of the day, I always tell myself [to] be where my feet are at and be grounded and focus on the now. Don’t focus too far in the future. I appreciate the team, as well as the organization, giving me the opportunity and trusting me down the stretch with the ball but also to make plays for others. I appreciate that.’’
Holding a nearly $19MM expiring contract on a team with an abundance of guards, Sexton may not be in the Bulls’ plans beyond the rest of this season. And while it’s probably in Chicago’s best long-term interest to lose as much as possible over the next five weeks, Sexton is focused on doing all he can to win games and build a strong relationship with coach Billy Donovan.
‘‘I appreciate Coach,’’ Sexton said. ‘‘He’s been going through a lot [the death of his father and mother-in-law in the last month], and I’ve been praying for him, my family has been praying for him. And for him to come out each and every day with a smile on his face and trying to encourage us … he’s had a lot going on.’’
There’s more on the Bulls:
- Jaden Ivey didn’t travel with the team on its 10-day road trip and is undergoing treatment on his left knee that may determine if he plays again this season, Cowley states in a separate story. “That’s going to be really, really critical,” Donovan said. “He’s made strides and he’s gotten better, but the medical guys want to see some improvement in that strengthening. Two weeks passed a few days ago, now he’s got this third week, and he’s gotten stronger, but to make another jump there are certain things the medical guys are going to want to see and have him cross some thresholds.” Ivey has only appeared in four games since being acquired from Detroit at the deadline, and Cowley notes that the Bulls’ decision-makers would like to see him in action a little more before he becomes a restricted free agent this summer.
- Australian big man Lachlan Olbrich approached his first NBA season without any expectations, Cowley adds. After signing a two-way contract last summer, he has seen limited playing time in 21 games. “I didn’t know what to expect coming into it, obviously, but I feel like I built a really strong foundation,” Olbrich said. “I’ve been talking a lot about foundation and hopefully in the next couple seasons I can really build on it. That’s really been the focus. I’m not worried about the minutes or the games played, anything like that. It’s just been a massive learning experience for me in my first year, which has been good for me.”
- The Bulls were missing five rotation players on Thursday, but Donovan expects Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Patrick Williams to all be available for Sunday’s game at Sacramento, according to Cowley. Jalen Smith (calf strain) and Anfernee Simons (left hand injury) both remain sidelined with no set timetable to return.
There are three NBA big time 4s in draft. Who are all hurt right now. Could Bulls take one ?? Or just settle on best available.
Caleb Wilson — broken thumb
J T Toppin — torn ACL will be out all year.
Jayden Quaintance — coming from ACL
Imo all three should go in 1st round.
link to bleacherreport.com
If it’s an injury that has a great chance at a full recovery then I can understand why the bulls would focus their attention on one of those guys..But if they want to fully embrace the rebuild..then they need to stack the best talent available. That means focusing more on the healthy players as well.
Noa Essengue was essentially drafted to be the future 4 for this team. I don’t see them getting another 4. Thats borderline retardation from this front office, unless Boozer is there for the 4.
They’ll most likely a shot creator off the ball or get a 5. They are set at PG and whatever hell the position Buzelis plays these days bc Donovan doesn’t know a damn thing about his own roster.
They’ll offer Ivey a Q/O to justify the trade for Bulls fans. Let Simons go because you won’t be able to win consistently with a Giddey Simons starting backcourt.
I’d target Dash Daniels if Portland picks becomes the Bulls pick. Great size and you know defense runs in the family. Thats my sleeper pick.
Those 4s are ready to play now. Essen gue is not. Big difference. Imo all three are better prospects . will be nice talent there either way. Mostly guards.
Well yeah, thats the thing about him even before he was drafted. He was a project for atleast 2-3 years. He’s not a 3 and he’s too small to be a 4. It’s just a wasted pick to anyone but AK and Donovan. LOL
Well that’s what the Bulls do. I haven’t really looked at the draft much yet because we don’t even really know who’s coming out this year yet anyway. But that’s what the Bulls do. They draft a PF who has no power and can’t rebound and try to make him something he’ll probably never be. And if you’re counting on the Bulls Doctors to fix Ivey’s knee he’s toast and you might as well launch him now. The last thing you want the Bulls to do is draft a guy who already has a torn up knee. That’s not gonna end well.
Caleb Wilson has a broken thumb lol. I doubt he’ll be there for Bulls. But if he is. They better take him. Plenty of guards this draft. I like Toppin a lot. But he had a serious injury. He will drop in draft
Agreed. The bulls would be wise to take Wilson or Boozer if those guys are available. But I think they should steer clear of the guys with bad injuries like acl tears.
Exactly!! I already stated that the bulls have enough players riddled with injuries. So, the Ivey experiment failed..and that’s ok. Let him go in the offseason and bring in talented players that are ready to prove themselves now. Conclusion: Draft a Foundational Piece..whether that’s a shot creator or a defensive Ace, doesn’t matter as long as management gets the right pieces to start winning again
Yes can’t miss this year. Big key there.
Imo Noa will be a forward someday. He just needs to get stronger and develop his shot more. He’s got a slender frame like kd or when rookie Scottie Barnes first got drafted
Good comp, great analysis