Knicks Fire President, Looking Ahead to Dunn’s Free Agency, Silver on the Reinsdorfs, and Other Bulls Bullets

Feb 04, 2020

SO MANY BASKETBALL THINGS ARE HAPPENING!

Forget trades, let’s talk about firings! ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski announced that the New York Knicks will part ways with President Steve Mills. Owner Jim Dolan will now begin interviewing candidates with his sights set on Toronto’s Masai Ujiri.

BREAKING: #Knicks have fired President Steve Mills and Scott Perry has taken over Basketball Operations.

Owner Jim Dolan is targeting #Raptors President Masai Ujiri as he's begun the process of interviewing candidates. #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/4uWpjn3EFt

— Stadium (@Stadium) February 4, 2020

Firing the team’s president two days before the trade deadline is a pretty bonkers move. While the team may have been looking to clear front-office fat for a while, choosing to ax Mills at this time is bold (Michael: Bold is one word for it. Dumb is another). However, once an amusing dumpster fire to distract from the Bulls mess, the Knicks are the first to actually do something about their highly questionable front office. I wouldn’t consider myself “jealous” of the Knicks, but I sure hope the Bulls are taking notes. If New York can step up and fire its President during the hottest transaction time of the season, Chicago can make a legitimate move of their own at an even more appropriate time.

The Bulls announced this morning that Kris Dunn will be re-evaluated in two weeks after confirming his MCL sprain. The injury comes right before the NBA trade deadline, which most likely takes any interest in a possible transaction off the table. While the All-Star break could give Dunn some additional time to heal-up, there is no telling how long until he’s back to full health. The news means the Bulls will likely have to deal with his restricted free agency this offseason and based on his defensive breakout, it isn’t crazy to think Dunn will draw some interest from other squads.

This injury could also play a vital role in his qualifying offer. If Dunn starts six more games, his $4.6 million offer sheet will increase to $7.1 million. However, if Kevin Anderson’s projection is correct (that other teams will pay over $7 million a year for Dunn anyway), there’s no reason Dunn would sign the qualifying offer to begin with.

Important context here. As a RFA this summer, Dunn is looking at more than $7m/yr. The QO number only comes into play if Dunn signs that in lieu of becoming a free agent- something that is extremely unlikely https://t.co/0LuWSqeXjm
— Kevin Anderson (@Kevin_NBCS) February 4, 2020

FWIW: I also think Dunn will have a legitimate market come this summer. It’s purely speculative, but I wouldn’t expect him to sign the qualifying offer sheet as of now. If I’m Dunn, I happily hit free agency and see what I can get.

NBC Sports Chicago released the second part of their interview with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, so check it out:

With @NBAAllStar coming to Chicago, here’s Part 2 of a two-part sitdown with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in which he talks about his experiences as a sports fan living in Chicago, his relationship with MJ and how game came to our city: https://t.co/4K6nwXducl
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 4, 2020

Also, before you freak out about Silver saying the Reinsdorfs will eventually “get it right,” remember he’s not going to just sit there and bad mouth an NBA owner. Overall, he has some interesting thoughts on the teams that are struggling to find their footing right now.

Yesterday, we found out “good teams” around the NBA have been contacting the Bulls about Zach LaVine’s availability. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Chicago hasn’t listened to a single suitor. To be clear, I’m not all aboard the “trade LaVine” express, but this team is in no position to not pick-up the phone. The Bulls must do their due diligence.

REPORT: "Good Teams" Have Called the Bulls About Zach LaVine https://t.co/jVF4y6untG

— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) February 4, 2020

News also broke yesterday that LaVine will participate in the NBA 3-point shootout. All together let’s do a long, disappointed “yyyaaaaayyyyy.” While the Bulls will at least have some kind of representation during the weekend’s festivities, a dunk contest appearance would just taste so much sweeter.

But, heck, if he gets as hot as that one night in Charlotte, he could become the first player to ever win both the dunk contest and 3-point shootout trophy.

Remember that time Zach LaVine hit 13 3-pointers in a game? pic.twitter.com/26n0Bvsjmm

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) February 4, 2020

LaVine spoke with SLAM about growing up in the NBA and becoming a member of the Chicago Bulls: “We’re in a little bit of a downslope right now, we started the rebuilding process and right now we’re underachieving to what we thought our goals for the year were. But it’s a great opportunity to help get this franchise back to a place where it should be—a top-3 franchise, a top-3 market in the world. The fan base here is incredible. What’s not to love? It’s a great city.” At least his hearts in the right place.

LIVE FROM MADISON STREET 😤

We caught up with Zach LaVine to discuss what it's like to play in Chicago and how his game has evolved: https://t.co/S42R9TctIp pic.twitter.com/5E8gbggbD9

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 4, 2020

Chicagoans Patrick Beverley and Derrick Rose will battle in the Skills Challenge.

Clippers guard Patrick Beverley will participate in the Skills Challenge at All-Star Weekend in Chicago, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2020

Are the Pistons blowing it up?

ESPN story on Suns discussing a deal to acquire Pistons guard Luke Kennard. https://t.co/wDoZeIAKLt

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2020

JA MORANT CATCHING BODIES ON AND OFF THE COURT!

Things are getting spicy in the NBA 😳 👀 pic.twitter.com/4YrErM5cke

— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) February 4, 2020

But not Coby White’s …

Just stopping by to remind everyone Coby White dropped 25 points on Ja Morant earlier this season 😎🔥

(🎥 @NBCSBulls)pic.twitter.com/6uwgWmJPLQ

— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) February 4, 2020

written by

Elias Schuster

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

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Knicks Fire President, Looking Ahead to Dunn’s Free Agency, Silver on the Reinsdorfs, and Other Bulls Bullets

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