VJ Edgecombe Named 2026 Rising Stars MVP
Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe was named the 2026 Rising Stars MVP after closing out two straight wins for Team Vince en route to the Rising Stars championship.
In Game One between Team Melo and Team Austin’s G League rising stars, Dylan Harper (Spurs) hit the game-winning shot to get Team Melo to the target score of 40 points. Team Austin had the top two scorers in the game in Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Clippers) and Yang Hansen (Trail Blazers), but Team Melo’s balanced scoring attack, led by Reed Sheppard (Rockets) and Donovan Clingan (Blazers) with nine points each, was too much for the G League stars to contain.
In Game Two between Team Vince and Team T-Mac, Edgecombe exploded for 17 points, including the last 10 and the step-back game-winner over Cam Spencer (Grizzlies). Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers) led Team T-Mac with 10 points and Tre Johnson (Wizards) added eight while facing off against teammate Kyshawn George. Team Vince came away with the 41-36 victory.
The Rising Stars championship game, with a target score of 25, kicked off with back-to-back Clingan three-pointers while Matas Buzelis (Bulls) carried Team Vince early with a one-handed dunk and a smooth post move. An Edgecombe rebound and putback brought the game to 23-22 for Team Vince, prompting a Team Melo timeout.
After a Stephon Castle (Spurs) putback dunk, Edgecombe was fouled by Clingan on a drive, heading to the free throw line, where he knocked down the game-winning free throws. Carter Bryant (Spurs) contributed five points while playing against his teammate Harper, who led Team Melo with eight points.
Kevin Durant, John Wall, Kyrie Irving, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Jamal Murray, Cade Cunningham are among the future All-Stars who have won the Rising Stars MVP award over the past couple decades.
Celtics Notes: Tatum, Vucevic, Simons, Garza, Queta
Monday’s practice with Boston’s G League affiliate represented the first time that Celtics forward Jayson Tatum had taken part in a 5-on-5 scrimmage with NBA and NBAGL players – as opposed to coaches – during his Achilles recovery process, ESPN’s Shams Charania said during an appearance on NBA Today (Twitter video link). Charania hears that Tatum looked “great,” but cautions that there are still several more checkpoints for the 27-year-old to pass before he could suit up for an NBA game.
“I’m feeling good,” Tatum said after his first practice with the Maine Celtics, per Brian Robb of MassLive. “… (Tuesday) is 39 weeks (since the injury), so it’s been a long journey. And it’s just like the progression of rehab. It was the next step. Doesn’t mean that I’m coming back or I’m not. It’s just following the plan. So it’s just another step.”
The 35-19 Celtics hold the No. 2 record in the Eastern Conference despite not having Tatum available at all this season. He said this week that there had been “no doubt” in his mind entering the season about the club’s ability to play at this level while he recovered from his Achilles tear, adding that it’s been “really fun and cool” to see what his teammates have done. He also spoke positively about Boston’s pre-deadline trade to acquire veteran center Nikola Vucevic, as Robb relays.
“Vuc is a hell of a player,” Tatum said. “Obviously I’ve competed against him for the last eight years. I’m excited about the things he brings to this team and the different dynamic. So we’re all excited to have him.”
We have more on the Celtics:
- Less than a week after being traded from the Celtics to the Bulls for Vucevic, Anfernee Simons was back in Boston on Wednesday as a visiting player. Before the game, the veteran guard spoke glowingly about his brief stint with the Celtics and said he could “for sure” see himself returning to the team later in his career if the opportunity arises (Twitter video link via Bobby Manning of CLNS Media). Simons added that he understood why Boston made the trade, referring to Vucevic as a “great player” who will give the C’s another floor-stretching option in the frontcourt.
- After using a double-big starting lineup featuring Neemias Queta and Luka Garza in the first three games since trading Simons, head coach Joe Mazzulla made an adjustment on Wednesday, moving Garza back to the bench. As Robb writes for MassLive.com, the move helped get the Celtics’ offense going but resulted in Garza playing just seven minutes, his lowest single-game total since early December. That could be a trend going forward with Vucevic likely to eat into his playing time.
- In a mailbag for MassLive.com, Robb considers whether or not Vucevic will eventually find his way into the Celtics’ starting lineup and argues that it makes more sense for Queta to hang onto that spot because he’s steadier on the defensive end.
Spurs Agree To Waive Jeremy Sochan
The Spurs have agreed to grant Jeremy Sochan his release, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). The team officially announced in a press release that the fourth-year forward has been placed on waivers.
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Sochan had fallen out of San Antonio’s rotation since December and was viewed as a change-of-scenery candidate ahead of last week’s trade deadline. The club reportedly gave his representatives permission to explore a potential move leading up to February 5.
The Spurs, one of three NBA teams not to make an in-season trade, didn’t make a deadline deal involving Sochan, but he’ll still get a chance at a fresh start before the summer. Assuming no team places a waiver claim on the forward and his expiring $7.1MM expiring contract, which is probably a safe bet, he’ll reach unrestricted free agency and will have the opportunity to sign outright with any NBA club. According to Charania, multiple teams are expected to have interest.
Sochan made 149 starts and averaged 27.3 minutes per game in his first three seasons with the Spurs, contributing 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest during that time.
Although he’s a solid, versatile defender who earned a regular spot in Gregg Popovich‘s and Mitch Johnson‘s rotations for several years, Sochan has struggled with his shot, having made just 28.7% of his career three-pointers. It also never seemed as if the Spurs entirely figured out how they wanted to use him — at various times, he was deployed as a point guard, a small-ball center, and almost everything in between.
Jared Weiss of The Athletic reported after the trade deadline that Sochan wasn’t expected to negotiate a buyout with the Spurs and would likely finish the season in San Antonio, but the 22-year-old’s plans changed within the past week as he remained out of Johnson’s rotation, Weiss tweets.
It will be interesting to see whether Sochan draws more interest from playoff contenders looking for help in the short term or from retooling teams who view him as more than just a rest-of-season addition. The Spurs reportedly discussed possible Sochan deals with the Suns, Bulls, and Knicks prior to the deadline, though it’s unclear whether all of those teams had legitimate interest in him as a player or were intrigued by his expiring contract for cap-related reasons.
Because he’s in his fourth NBA season, Sochan technically remains two-way eligible, so that could be an option if he isn’t offered a standard contract or wants to join a team without a 15-man roster spot available.
Post-Deadline Rumors: Morant, JJJ, Bulls, Missi, Celtics
The fact that Ja Morant wasn’t traded at last week’s deadline came as a bit of a surprise to him, according to Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints, who says the Grizzlies weren’t willing to accept a package similar to what Atlanta got for Trae Young.
The Grizzlies talked to the Heat, Timberwolves, and Bucks about Morant, but didn’t come close to making a deal, Azarly writes. League sources tell ClutchPoints that Ryan Rollins was a player Memphis and Milwaukee talked about, but the Grizzlies were averse to taking back Kyle Kuzma and/or Bobby Portis, who are both on multiyear guaranteed contracts.
According to reporting last week, Memphis signaled a willingness to take on long-term salary if it came attached to first-round draft compensation, but there’s no indication the Bucks would’ve put their lone tradable first-rounder on the table for Morant.
The expectation is that the Grizzlies will try to trade Morant again in the summer, and Azarly suggests that the point guard should be able to return from his left elbow injury not long after the All-Star break. As Azarly explains, even though Memphis has pivoted to a full-on rebuild and would benefit from piling up losses down the stretch, both the team and Morant himself would appreciate the opportunity to have the 26-year-old rebuild his trade value with a strong finish to the season.
Here are a few more leftover rumors from last week’s trade deadline:
- In addition to Golden State and Toronto – whose talks with the Grizzlies were previously reported – the Pistons and Hawks also “checked in” on Jaren Jackson Jr. before he was dealt to the Jazz, while the Suns and Hornets also had interest, says Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. There’s no indication that any of those teams made any real progress toward acquiring Jackson from Memphis.
- The Bulls, who acquired a total of eight second-round picks in their various pre-deadline deals, made an effort to flip some of those second-rounders to the Pelicans last Thursday in a deal for second-year center Yves Missi, Siegel writes. However, New Orleans was holding out for a first-round pick and ended up retaining Missi through the deadline.
- Sources who spoke to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) viewed the Celtics‘ swap of Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic as a “clear indicator” that Boston thinks forward Jayson Tatum will be able to return before the end of the season. Simons’ was the team’s fourth-leading scorer prior to the trade, but would’ve likely seen his role reduced in a rotation that featured a healthy Tatum.
Collin Sexton Fined $35K For Inappropriate Gesture
In one of the most unusual fines in NBA history, Bulls guard Collin Sexton was docked $35K for making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court, the league office tweets.
The incident occurred with 1:31 remaining in the third quarter of the Bulls’ 123-115 loss to Brooklyn on Monday. Sexton missed a free throw, then made the second attempt. As the ball was being inbounded by the Nets, Sexton stared at the rim and made a middle finger gesture toward it.
Sexton was appearing in just his second game with Chicago after being traded by Charlotte last week. He finished the night with 21 points and five rebounds in 32 minutes.
The fine is only a small portion of Sexton’s $18,975,000 salary. He’s a free agent at the end of the season.
NBA Teams With Open Roster Spots
A number of free agent signings have been finalized in the days since last Thursday’s trade deadline, but there are still many teams around the NBA with one or more open spots on their respective rosters.
For clubs with just a single standard or two-way opening, there’s not necessarily any urgency to fill those spots, especially ahead of the All-Star break. But the clock is ticking for teams who have two or more openings on their standard rosters to make a move, since clubs are only permitted to carry fewer than 14 players on standard contracts for up to two weeks at a time.
These situations remain fluid, with more roster moves being finalized each day. But with the help of our roster count tracker, here’s where things stand for all 30 teams around the NBA as of Tuesday morning. As a reminder, teams are typically permitted to carry up to 15 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals.
(Note: Teams marked with an asterisk have a player on a 10-day contract.)
Multiple open roster spots
- Teams with multiple 15-man openings:
- Boston Celtics
- Denver Nuggets
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Teams with one 15-man and one two-way opening:
- Golden State Warriors
- Sacramento Kings
The Celtics entered trade deadline week with 14 players on their standard roster and sent out four players (Anfernee Simons, Chris Boucher, Xavier Tillman Sr., and Josh Minott) while only taking back one (Nikola Vucevic). They promoted Amari Williams from his two-way contract to the standard roster to get to 12 players, but they still have three roster openings.
Given how tight their margins are below the tax line, the Celtics will likely use their full two-week allotment and wait until February 19 before making two additions to get back to the roster minimum of 14.
The Nuggets dipped to 13 players on standard contracts by trading Hunter Tyson last Thursday and also have until Feb. 19 to get back to 14. Two-way standout Spencer Jones has reached his 50-game limit and is the obvious candidate to be promoted into that spot, though he’s in the concussion protocol for now, so Denver may not to need to make that move until after the All-Star break.
The Timberwolves went from 14 players to 13 when they sent out Mike Conley on Tuesday of trade deadline week, so they have until Feb. 17 to reach the roster minimum again. It sounds like their old 14th man will likely become their new 14th man, with Conley expected to re-sign in Minnesota after being dealt twice ahead of last week’s deadline.
As for the Warriors and Kings, both clubs both briefly went down to 13 players, but they’ve since promoted two-way players Pat Spencer and Dylan Cardwell, respectively, so they’re back to 14 and there’s no urgency for them to make additional moves. Still, it’s worth noting that both teams technically have multiple roster openings, since they’ve yet to sign new two-way players to replace Spencer and Cardwell. Both Golden State and Sacramento are carrying 14 players on standard contracts and a pair on two-way deals.
One open roster spot
- Teams with a 15-man opening:
- Brooklyn Nets
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Houston Rockets
- Indiana Pacers
- Miami Heat
- New Orleans Pelicans
- New York Knicks
- Orlando Magic
- Phoenix Suns
- Utah Jazz
- Washington Wizards *
- Teams with a two-way opening:
- Detroit Pistons
- Los Angeles Clippers *
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Philadelphia 76ers **
The Nets, Cavaliers, Rockets, Pacers, Heat, Pelicans, Knicks, Magic, and Jazz are all carrying 14 players on full-season standard contracts and three on two-way deals, with no reported signings pending. They’re each free to carry that open roster spot for as long as they want to, though some figure to fill it sooner rather than later.
The Suns, meanwhile, are in the same boat as those teams but might create a second opening on their 15-man roster in the near future — the expectation is that they’ll waive newly acquired guard Cole Anthony. If they do so, they’d have 14 days to add a replacement.
The Wizards have perhaps the most fluid situation of any team in this group. They have 13 players on standard, full-season contracts, with Keshon Gilbert on a 10-day deal that will expire during the All-Star break. It’s also possible that D’Angelo Russell, acquired in the Anthony Davis blockbuster, won’t be on the roster much longer, with buyout rumors swirling around him. If Washington parts ways with Russell and doesn’t re-sign Gilbert, the team would have three 15-man openings and would need to fill at least two of them.
The Pistons, Clippers, Bucks, and Sixers all currently have full 15-man rosters and one open two-way slot, but L.A. and Philadelphia will soon open up standard roster spots.
The Clippers have Dalano Banton on a 10-day deal through next Monday, while the 76ers have Charles Bassey and Patrick Baldwin Jr. on 10-day pacts through Saturday. Both teams are at or near their limit of “under-15” games for two-way players, so if they want to continue using their players on two-way contracts, they’ll need to ensure they maintain full 15-man rosters.
No open roster spots
- Atlanta Hawks
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Dallas Mavericks
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies *
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Portland Trail Blazers
- San Antonio Spurs
- Toronto Raptors
The Hawks, Hornets, Bulls, Mavericks, Lakers, Thunder, Trail Blazers, Spurs, and Raptors are all carrying 15 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals. If they want to make a free agent addition during the season’s final two months, they’ll have to cut a player to do so.
In some of those cases, there’s an obvious release candidate on the roster. For instance, it’s believed to be just a matter of time until Toronto officially waives Chris Paul. A few of those clubs will also need to make room on their 15-man rosters to convert two-way players — Ryan Nembhard in Dallas and Sidy Cissoko in Portland are among the top candidates for promotions.
As for the Grizzlies, one of their 15 standard players – Lawson Lovering – is on a 10-day contract. His deal will expire after the team’s Feb. 20 game, opening up a roster spot in Memphis.
Central Notes: Cavs, Giannis, Thomas, Giddey, Jones
It was a disappointing first half of the season in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers opened the year with a 24-20 record after going 64-18 a year ago. However, the team has won nine of its past 10 games and appears to be rejuvenated by a trade deadline shakeup that saw James Harden, Dennis Schröder, and Keon Ellis added to the roster, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required).
“There’s definitely a different energy,” center Jarrett Allen said on Monday after the Cavs eked out a 119-117 win in Denver. “Everybody feels a new energy and another belief that we can go even farther than we did last year. The belief is around the team. The last few games we have proven that we can be an amazing team down the stretch and during the game. There’s just a whole new belief and confidence. When you see change, you believe things are going to be different and things are going to go in a new direction.”
Schröder (+22 in 17 minutes) and Ellis (+20 in 17 minutes) played key roles off the bench against their former team in Sacramento on Saturday as the Cavs won for the first time with their new-look roster. On Monday, Harden came up big against the Nuggets, with 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.
Donovan Mitchell, meanwhile, scored 35 points against the Kings and 32 in Denver, prompting head coach Kenny Atkinson to tell reporters that Harden’s arrival has given Mitchell “a different energy.” Mitchell didn’t dispute the idea that bringing in the 36-year-old star has created a greater sense of urgency for the Cavs.
“I think you understand what’s at stake,” Mitchell told Fedor. “You see what’s here. There’s a window. This is the window. This is the time. In a sense, the team is going all in. It’s time to go. When you make that move, understanding James’ age and where he’s at in his career, the time is now. There is no ‘runway’ in a sense with a group like that. You sacrifice even more. You believe even more. You go out there and feel it even more.
“I love the pressure of it. I love the expectation of it. I love the questions that have come from it. I love it. We need that. Embrace it. I think it’s a little bit of a jolt for everybody. When you make that move, what are you making it for? To win a championship. That’s what it is. The organization is basically saying, this is the time. And I love it. Now we have to go out there and do it. We are not running from that as a group.”
We have more from around the Central:
- While the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo will likely revisit their discussions about his future in the offseason after no trade materialized last week, the club is facing a more pressing Giannis-related decision in the short term as the two-time MVP works his way back from a calf strain, writes Jamal Collier of ESPN. If Antetokounmpo is ready to return sooner rather than later, as head coach Doc Rivers recently suggested, will the Bucks activate him and try to push for a play-in spot or delay his return to action in order to improve their draft position? “Everything they do is in service of Antetokounmpo,” one Western conference executive told ESPN. “It will absolutely be in their best interest to play for a draft pick, but if Giannis wants to try and make the play-in, they’ll try to make the play-in.”
- After signing with the Bucks on Sunday, Cam Thomas told reporters on Monday that he’s excited for his “fresh start” in Milwaukee and can’t wait to play alongside an “all-time great” like Antetokounmpo, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “The front office told me that they always wanted me, always called about me, been trying to get me here for years,” Thomas said. “That definitely plays a part in your decision to go somewhere, because I really felt wanted by the guys. Talked to Doc before. It was great. Great conversations. Just seeing the team, I feel like I can actually help and contribute and just blend in and be one of the guys.”
- Bulls guards Josh Giddey and Tre Jones should be back from their left hamstring injuries soon after the All-Star break, says Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. According to head coach Billy Donovan, both Giddey and Jones have been doing three-on-three work and running at full speed. The Bulls can afford to be cautious and take their time with the duo as the team evaluates some of its newcomers in the backcourt, Cowley notes.
Bulls Notes: Sexton, Buzelis, Dillingham, Simons
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).
And-Ones: Hayes-Davis, Mills, Cap Room, Lacob, Seattle
After being traded from Phoenix to Milwaukee on Thursday and then being waived by the Bucks, veteran forward Nigel Hayes-Davis is on track to reach free agency later today, assuming he goes unclaimed.
A return overseas is a possibility for Hayes-Davis, who was the EuroLeague Final Four MVP for Fenerbahce in 2025. However, if he does head back to Europe, his goal is to become the league’s highest-paid player, according to Aris Barkas of Eurohoops. That honor currently belongs to Vasilije Micic, who is making $5.6MM, followed by Kendrick Nunn at $5.3MM (EuroLeague salary figures are post-tax).
Fenerbahce, Panathinaikos and Hapoel Tel Aviv have been in touch with Hayes-Davis’ camp, per Barkas, but Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos announced on Instagram that the forward passed on the Greek team’s offer, as Eurohoops relays.
Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Veteran guard Patty Mills hasn’t played in the NBA at all this season, but he’s not ready to retire as a player quite yet. Sources tell Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com that Mills, who spent last season with the Jazz and Clippers, is exploring potential options in the EuroLeague.
- Following this week’s trade deadline activity, Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link) and Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Twitter link) provide an early look at the cap space landscape for the summer of 2026. They both view the Lakers, Bulls, and Nets – in some order – as the teams likely to have the most room, though the numbers remain in flux due to draft picks, cap holds, and option decisions.
- Warriors owner Joe Lacob has interest in buying the San Diego Padres and is considering making a bid when initial offers are due later this month, per Dennis Lin and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. We have more details at MLB Trade Rumors about the Padres’ ownership situation and the bidders Lacob could be going up against.
- Washington governor Bob Ferguson had an introductory Zoom meeting with NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday to discuss the possibility of bringing back the SuperSonic to Seattle, according to Jack Bilyeu of KIRO 7 News. The governor’s office said it was a “good conversation” and that Ferguson offered to “be helpful” as the NBA explores the possibility of expansion, with Seattle believed to be high on its list.
Bulls Notes: Deadline, Karnisovas, Donovan, Yabusele, Dillingham
The Bulls were extremely active this week, making seven trades prior to Thursday’s deadline. Vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas says Chicago wasn’t content with “being in the middle” after making the play-in tournament each of the last three seasons and getting eliminated in the first round of the 2022 playoffs.
“The play-in is not our goal,” Karnisovas said, per Jamal Collier of ESPN. “A championship is. We know where we are in standings, and we are not satisfied with being in the middle as an organization or for our fans. At the same time, we are committed to building the right way without skipping steps. This process takes time, but we’ve already made [a] meaningful shift in how we are approaching roster building and development.”
While Karnisovas didn’t use the term rebuild when discussing the Bulls’ roster reconstruction, he acknowledged the team is now prioritizing young players, acquiring draft capital and maintaining financial flexibility, Collier writes. Karnisovas singled out Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue as members of the team’s core going forward.
According to Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune, Karnisovas has downplayed the importance of second-round picks in the past, but he shifted his tune during Thursday’s video press conference after the Bulls added eight second-round selections in their several trades.
“Second-rounders are a currency in our industry, and you cannot operate and acquire players and trade players (without them),” Karnišovas said. “We addressed it during the trade deadline and hopefully they’re going to contribute during the draft, during free agency and trying to build this team.”
Here’s more from Chicago:
- As Poe writes, the front office has had multiple transaction windows in which to sell high on players like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu (and boost the team’s lottery odds in the process), but waited until they were both headed to unrestricted free agency — when their values were at a relative low point — to deal them away. Karnisovas defended the decision, saying, “You don’t want to lose you free agents for nothing,” and said he didn’t regret making the moves when he did. “I do not,” Karnisovas said. “I think we were at that stage as well, we continued evaluating our young guys. Right now it’s a good timing, and we addressed it.”
- Head coach Billy Donovan made it clear he’s committed to staying with the Bulls in the midst of the rebuild, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. “I’ve talked to you guys about what’s important to me is the mentality, the competitiveness, that kind of stuff, and things can happen quickly too,” Donovan said. “Look at what Detroit was able to do. They were really bad for a while and they took off and have done really well. You look at a team like Boston, where they shed a bunch of salary cap and people thought they weren’t going to be any good and now they’re second in the East, so things can happen pretty quickly.”
- While the roster looks much different, the front office and ownership remain the same, and they were the main issues over the past several years, argues Jon Greenberg of The Athletic. Greenberg gives Karnisovas credit for finally biting the bullet and making long-overdue trades, but is skeptical the results will be much different down the line. Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune also questions whether Karnisovas has a plan to lead the team out of mediocrity.
- Guerschon Yabusele waived his $5.8MM player option for next season as part of being traded to the Bulls because he may have been stuck in New York past the deadline if he hadn’t and he wanted an opportunity to play again, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv. The French forward got his wish in his first game as a Bull, recording season highs of 15 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and 33 minutes in Thursday’s loss to Toronto, per Toni Canyameras of BasketNews. “I guess in the summer we’ll figure out what happens. I did give up the player option because I wanted to play basketball at the end of the day. That’s what I was really motivated about, getting out there, having some minutes tonight. It was amazing for me, I’m so happy,” Yabusele said. “I’m a little bit sad because we lost, but just being out there with those guys, it’s been amazing.”
- 2024 lottery pick Rob Dillingham is hoping to regain his confidence with Chicago after rarely playing for Minnesota over his first two seasons. “Really just confidence, confidence from my teammates, confidence from my coaches, and really confidence in myself,” Dillingham said (Twitter video link via Will Gottlieb of CHGO Bulls. “I really just feel like I haven’t got to get an opportunity where I feel confident. I’m just waiting for the spark to come back.” The 21-year-old guard was acquired from the Wolves in the Dosunmu trade.