Chicago Bulls Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Will Management Break Up The Bulls?

December 30th, 2017 at 9:51pm CST by Arthur Hill

When they stumbled their way to a 3-20 start, no team seemed less likely to have a seven-game winning streak than the Bulls. But that’s what happened, and their improbable play since December 8 has given them the league’s best record during that span at 10-2. With Zach LaVine due back soon, the only thing that could dampen spirits in Chicago is a rumored trade involving Nikola Mirotic or Robin Lopez, writes K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune.

Trade rumors began when the Bulls appeared headed for a high lottery pick and Mirotic was sidelined by facial fractures from a preseason fight with teammate Bobby Portis. Those two have resolved their differences enough to co-exist on the court, and Chicago has pulled to within five games of a playoff spot.

Today marked the first of six straight contact practices scheduled for LaVine as he works his way back from ACL surgery, Johnson adds in the same story. LaVine, who was averaging 18.9 points per game for the Timberwolves before the injury last season, said he feels “close” to returning. “I’ve actually picked things up pretty quickly,” he said of the Bulls’ offense. “The main thing is just doing a lot of conditioning. I like being one of the best in-shape dudes out there. I’m getting that down. The touch and feel comes back the more you play.”

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/29/17

December 29th, 2017 at 6:12pm CST by marksuleymanov

Here are the G-League moves from around the NBA today:

The Spurs have recalled Derrick White from the Austin Spurs, according to the team’s website. White has played in seven games with the G League club and he’s averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 22.3 minutes per game.
The Bulls have recalled big man Cristiano Felicio from the team’s G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Felicio, 25, has played well on both of his G League assignments, including a 22-point, 14-rebound, six-block performance in Windy City’s recent win over the Canton Charge. Felicio has appeared in 23 games for the Bulls.
The Thunder recalled guard Terrance Ferguson from the organization’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, the team announced in a press release. OKC’s first-round pick from this year’s NBA Draft has appeared in 21 games this season and averaged 1.3 PPG in 6.7 minutes per game.

Zach LaVine Antsy To Get Back On Court

December 28th, 2017 at 4:36pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Shooting guard Zach LaVine has run out of patience waiting for the Bulls to let him return to action, he told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times and other media members. LaVine, who tore his ACL in February playing for the Timberwolves, has been practicing with the team and its G League affiliate for over a month but has yet to make his season debut. ‘‘I know I feel like I can play right now,’’ he said.

Central Notes: Thomas, Perkins, Mirotic, Portis

December 28th, 2017 at 9:35am CST by marksuleymanov

After a disappointing loss to the Kings on Wednesday, the Cavaliers cannot get Isaiah Thomas back from injury soon enough, USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick writes. Cleveland acquired Thomas in the offseason trade that sent Kyrie Irving to Boston but Thomas has not played this season due to a hip injury.

Despite rumblings that Thomas may play this week, Amick writes that his return will likely occur against the Trail Blazers on January 2 or the following night against the Celtics. Facing his former team in his first game back would be a dramatic story but it is also possible for Thomas to play against Portland and skip the next game as he eases into playing. The 28-year-old averaged an Eastern Conference-best 28.9 PPG last season and his Cavaliers teammates see his impending return as a positive.

“I think it’ll be good in a lot of ways,” Cavaliers guard Kyle Korver said USA TODAY Sports. “You know, sometimes when we get stagnant is when we start depending on ‘Bron too much to create everything, and he can do it, but it’s hard every night for an 82-game season. To have someone else who can share that load of handling the ball and making plays for guys, I think that’ll help us out.”

Check out other Central Division news and notes below:

Instead of retiring or accepting a coaching gig, Kendrick Perkins has willingly played for the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate, the Canton Charge. Perkins, 33, is a four-time NBA finalist with over $60MM in career earnings but he still feels he can help an NBA team, Scott Patsko of Cleveland.com writes. “I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback,” Perkins, who is averaging 10.7 PPG and 8.4 RPG in Canton said. “I feel I’ve played well in the minutes I’ve played. I wanted to show that I can still put the ball in the basket. And that I can still just move and play with the speed, pick and roll. I just wanted to prove that I can actually compete.”
The Bulls have played like a completely different team since Nikola Mirotic‘s return from a facial injury he suffered at the literal hand of teammate Bobby Portis. Their preseason fight made headlines and strained their relationship but Mirotic acknowledged that Chicago’s 9-2 record since his return has been helped by both men being professional, per ESPN’s Nick Freidell. “I think it was huge,” Mirotic said to ESPN on Wednesday. “I think it was huge because people didn’t know how we were going to act because it was a tough moment obviously for all of us, especially for me. But I think [up to now] we’ve handled it well.”

Central Notes: Trade Deadline, Love, Dunn

December 27th, 2017 at 3:43pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Coach Stan Van Gundy, who is also the team’s president of basketball operations, doesn’t think the new trade deadline will have much of an impact. The trade deadline this season is February 8th, two weeks earlier than normal, so that it no longer dominates the chatter during All-Star weekend.

“I don’t think it will change anything,” he told Dana Gauruder of Hoops Rumors. “It’s just that the flurry of rumors and a few moves will happen at a little earlier date. It doesn’t matter where they put it.”

Here’s more from the Central Division:

Kevin Love was reluctant to make the switch to center but he understands that it gives the Cavaliers the best chance to beat the Warriors, as he tells Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. “Yeah, I think there is something to be said for me playing the 5 and logging most of the minutes there,” Love said. “I think we match up better, maybe, but it’s just so hard to say without [Stephen Curry] being on the floor.”
Kris Dunn, who came to the Bulls in the Jimmy Butler trade, earned his spot in the starting lineup and coach Fred Hoiberg has confidence in the young playmaker. “The players see through it if you just give the position or starting spot or minutes,” said Hoiberg (via Sam Smith of NBA.com). “You have to earn it and Kris has. It’s [also] very important you have a guy you have confidence in who can make the right play down the stretch. We’ve trusted him and put the ball in his hands. And there’s his willingness to learn in a lot of situations.“

Dana Gauruder contributed to this post.

Bulls’ Nikola Mirotic Would Still Accept Trade

December 25th, 2017 at 12:23pm CST by Arthur Hill

Despite the Bulls’ improved play since Nikola Mirotic‘s return, he remains willing to waive his no-trade clause to join a contender, reports Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.

His relationship with Bobby Portis, who hospitalized Mirotic in an October 17 altercation, is still strained and they haven’t spoken apart from team business, Cowley adds. The organization isn’t trying to force them to resolve their differences as long as they communicate effectively as teammates.

Because he didn’t re-sign until late September, Mirotic isn’t eligible to be traded until January 15. His representatives have told the Bulls’ front office that he would accept a deal if it puts him on a contending team. There will be a 24-day window to trade Mirotic before the February 8 deadline, and it’s an option the team is considering, according to Cowley, who says there’s a good chance he will be moved if Chicago can get a mid- to late first-rounder in return.

Privately, the front office is concerned that Mirotic is messing up its rebuilding plans, Cowley adds. The Bulls appeared headed for a high lottery pick with a 3-20 start, but won their first seven games with Mirotic in the lineup. They are now 10-22, the fourth worst record in the league but just seven games out of a playoff spot, with Zach LaVine expected back in January.

Mirotic is putting up the best numbers of his career since returning from facial fractures. Through nine games, he is averaging 17.9 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 51% from the floor and 48% on 3-pointers. With a $12.5MM salary and a team option for the same amount next season, he could be an inexpensive pickup for a contender, but for now he’s enjoying his success in Chicago.

“We are playing fun basketball,’’ he said. “There are a lot of young guys, not many guys that want to play iso [isolation], so it’s simple basketball, fun basketball, and I think this is an area [coach Fred Hoiberg] feels comfortable. He’s going to put all the pieces in the right situation and find the best role for guys, and he’s been figuring out how we can play with each other. I give Fred a lot of credit. This is how he’s wanted to play.’’

Kris Dunn Not Satisfied With Play Just Yet

December 24th, 2017 at 9:02pm CST by Austin Kent

The Bulls have every reason to be pleased with the production they’ve gotten out of point guard Kris Dunn but that doesn’t mean that the second-year player is necessarily satisfied, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes.

“My offensive game is getting there, but that can be polished,” Dunn said, noting that his top priority for improvement is on the defensive side. In 11 December games for the Bulls, Dunn has averaged 15.0 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals per contest.

Dunn credits Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg for putting the pressure on him to compete with Jerian Grant for the starting gig, a role that he didn’t formally take over until late November.

There may finally be a timetable for the return of Zach LaVine. Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports Chicago tweets that the guard will try to make it through six consecutive Bulls practices after December 30. If he does so without issue, he’ll play.

Bulls Notes: Mirotic, Winning Streak, Butler

December 20th, 2017 at 11:15pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Coach Fred Hoiberg believes Nikola Mirotic‘s return has given the team confidence, as Nick Friedell of ESPN.com relays.

“You see our bench really rallying behind him when he’s out there making plays,” the coach said. “You see the guys on the floor celebrating together when he makes the big plays. … Niko’s been in pressure situations a lot over the course of his basketball life.

“And it’s great to have an experienced player out there with our young guys to help close some of the close ones. I give Niko a lot of credit; he’s been awesome, especially since he’s been back in the lineup. When you’ve got guys out there playing with confidence, that rubs off on the whole team.”

Chicago has won every game since Mirotic returned to the lineup, going 7-0 after a 3-20 start.

“The biggest thing is [Mirotic is] playing the right way,” Hoiberg said. “…his overall game has been a huge lift to our group.”

Here’s more from Chicago:

It appears the physical altercation between Mirotic and Bobby Portis is behind the two players and the incident no longer has any lingering effects on the team.“They hashed it out,” Kris Dunn said (via Friedell in the same piece). “They brought that positivity back into the team.“
Mirotic sees a difference in the team’s energy since he returned, as Friedell passes along in the same piece. “Before I came [back], everybody was like a little bit with their heads down… But now I think we are much, much better. We come [to] the games with a different energy,” Mirotic said.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times wonders if the Bulls‘ win streak is going to ruin the franchise’s rebuilding plan and argues that dealing Mirotic once he becomes trade-eligible may be the team’s best move.
While many view the Jimmy Butler trade as a loss for the Bulls, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune believes it was a good deal for both sides. He notes that the front office made the trade with 2018 in mind.
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf believes the team has the right combination of executives in the front office, as we passed along earlier today. He also touched on why Chicago decided to go with a rebuild, citing a desire to stay out of the league’s middle ground and become championship contenders.

Bulls Owner Talks Front Office, Team, Rebuild

December 20th, 2017 at 10:21pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Bulls hierarchy hasn’t always been clear with VP of Basketball Operations John Paxson and GM Gar Forman each taking on various responsibilities during their respective tenures. However, despite the unconventional approach, owner Jerry Reinsdorf is confident that the franchise has the right management in place.

“I picked Paxson to rebuild when [Jerry] Krause left [in 2003] because he’s a leader. Nothing has changed,” Reinsdorf tells K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. “He’s a fine evaluator of talent. He’s a long-term thinker. He works well with the general manager. He works well with coaches. I’m a John Paxson fan.”

Paxson has traveled with the team all season in an attempt to create transparency and accountability while offering support to players and coaches. Forman has spent much of his time on the road, scouting prospects in search of future talent and taking on other traditional front office responsibilities.

“Forman is great with agents,” Reinsdorf said. “John hates to deal with agents. Gar is good at negotiating with the other general managers, but John was good at that too. Gar is great at cap knowledge and planning ahead. He’s an extremely detailed guy. That’s why we have the two jobs. And that’s a trend that teams are moving too. They realize you need two different skill sets.”

Forman served as the face of the front office during the Derrick Rose era, giving up that unofficial title to Paxson as the team went into a rebuild. Reinsdorf believes Forman has consistently done a great job, though Paxson is more of a media darling than the GM is.

“I think John plays well publicly, more than me or Gar,” the owner said. “People tend to like John. They trust him. He’s the guy next door. People look at Gar and me and we’re not warm and cuddly like John.”

Reinsdorf, who also owns the Chicago White Sox, will turn 82 years old in February and that begs the question: Why sign off on another rebuild?

“I figure I have at the most 15-20 years left and I’d like to win again,” Reinsdorf said. “I don’t like being caught in the middle.

“I think the rebuild is going great. We don’t want to be fooled by winning six games in a row. But we’re seeing our young players step up. We’re seeing [Nikola Mirotic] show what we thought we had in the first place. [Kris Dunn] is coming on. [Bobby Portis] is having a good year. And [Zach LaVine] hasn’t even played yet.

“I think Gar and John have put together the core of something good. Now it remains to be seen [if we] can take the next two steps, mediocrity and being good, without being stuck too long in mediocrity.”

Bulls Waive Kay Felder

December 19th, 2017 at 10:47am CST by Luke Adams

The Bulls have made a minor change to their roster, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve waived second-year point guard Kay Felder. Felder will become an unrestricted free agent on Thursday, assuming he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Felder, a Detroit native, joined the Cavaliers last season after being selected 54th overall in the 2016 draft. He spent his entire rookie year in Cleveland, but was a victim of the Cavs’ roster crunch this fall after the team acquired three players for Kyrie Irving and signed Dwyane Wade. Felder was cut by the Cavs at the end of the preseason, then claimed off waivers by the Bulls.

Although the Bulls’ point guard situation was in flux to start the 2017/18 season, Felder didn’t see much playing time for the club, averaging 9.6 MPG in 14 contests. For his career, he has recorded 3.9 PPG and 1.4 APG in 56 games (9.3 MPG). Felder has been far more productive in the G League, averaging 27.2 PPG and 5.7 APG in 14 total games for the Canton Charge and Windy City Bulls.

Because Felder’s salary for 2017/18 wasn’t fully guaranteed, the Bulls will only carry a partial cap charge after waiving him. If my math is right, Felder’s cap hit will be just shy of $490K, assuming he’s not claimed by another team on waivers.

We’ll see if the Bulls have a corresponding roster move lined up after cutting Felder, but for the time being, the team has an open spot on its squad.