The Chicago Bulls have 35 days to make up their mind.
If this isn’t the exact roster with which Arturas Karnisovas and Co. plan to tackle a competitive Eastern Conference playoff picture, then they have only a little over one month to make any changes. Sure, the buyout market can always present some possibly intriguing veteran, but the February 10th deadline will be the Chicago Bulls’ last opportunity to make any kind of truly impactful change. Again, that is, if that’s what they want.
As things currently stand, I’m not so sure an all-in push for a name like Jerami Grant or Harrison Barnes is on the table for this front office. Karnisovas spoke with 670 The Score’s Mully & Haugh on Thursday morning, and he seems cautious about rocking the first-place boat. But, at the same time, I’m convinced that AK has won every poker game he’s ever played, so who’s really to say what happens next?
Arturas Karnisovas Might Be Open to Mid-Season Trades, But He’s Already in Love with This Bulls Teamhttps://t.co/lgpn4EEVU1 pic.twitter.com/ZI2pQuonGH
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 6, 2022
• Considering the Bulls are waving back to the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks as we speak, it came as no surprise that Karnisovas sounded very pleased with his existing roster. He also pointed out that – despite all the success – the team still has yet to see any sort of continuity thanks to injuries and COVID issues. With that in mind, it may be even easier to understand why Chicago could stay away from any big splash at the deadline, as there is real potential for them to see the most substantial improvement internally.
“The guys we probably didn’t think would be in the rotation are in the rotation. I think what DeMar and Zach are doing is incredible. And obviously Nikola. Just what the new signings like Lonzo and Alex have done in terms of adding a defensive component to this group.
And what I’m just waiting is to just get AC and Javonte back and see if we can get some kind of continuity with the same guys for an extended period of time.”
• Seriously, it’s crazy to think about how much disruption this first-place team has already gone through. The four-primary starters – Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic – have played together in just 18 of the team’s 35 games. Look at arguably the Bulls’ best lineup, which adds in Alex Caruso, and that five-man combination has only appeared in 16 games this season. When we consider how good this Bulls team has been in the wake of all that, it’s reasonable to believe we haven’t even come close to seeing the peak of their powers. *29 other teams tremble in fear.*
• HAPPY DOSUNMU DAY! The Chicago Bulls rookie is back in Champaign to watch his jersey rise into the rafters at the State Farm Center. The ceremony will happen during tonight’s battle between the Illini and Maryland Terrapins. You can watch live on ESPN 2 at 6:00 p.m. CT.
Former #Illini Ayo Dosunmu will be back @StateFarmCenter Thursday to watch his jersey raised to the rafters:
“That’s a dream come true for any kid from Chicago,for it to be my home state”
Billy Donovan: “I think people are really really proud of what he’s done and accomplished” pic.twitter.com/2CPctUG2e6
— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) January 5, 2022
• The Chicago Bulls assigned 10-day contract player Mac McClung to the G-League earlier this week, setting him up to play in the Windy City Bulls’ contest against the Moto City Cruise last night. The rookie dropped a solid 19 points with 9 assists, falling just behind two-way player Devon Dotson (20) for the team-high.
Update: We have recalled Mac McClung from the Windy City Bulls.
He had 19 points (7-of-18 FG) and 9 assists last night vs. the Motor City Cruise. pic.twitter.com/KoU8tMUMY7
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 6, 2022
• The decision to have McClung clock some extra work was interesting, especially when we consider Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley stopped by to watch. I find it hard to believe the Bulls would hand the rookie a roster spot as they did with veteran Alfonzo McKinnie, who also first joined the team on a 10-day contract, but perhaps this implies some kind of long-term interest. The fact the front office handed him a second 10-day deal in the first place told us they liked what they saw.
Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley also stopped by for some Windy City basketball! 👋 pic.twitter.com/u7yfHpoM7Z
— Windy City Bulls (@windycitybulls) January 6, 2022
• I know it may sound kind of dumb, but I do believe Zach LaVine showing up to last night’s Windy City Bulls game is a big deal. The guy didn’t have to drive to Hoffman Estates on a cold Wednesday night just to watch his organization’s G-League squad get beat. If that doesn’t tell you he (1) loves being a Bull and (2) is the face of this franchise, I don’t know what will.
Hey, @ZachLaVine 👋 thanks for coming to a Windy City game! pic.twitter.com/VC9DTbyxhk
— Windy City Bulls (@windycitybulls) January 6, 2022
• Speaking of LaVine … KEEP VOTING!
DeMar DeRozan Leads the Way in First All-Star Voting Release, LaVine and Vucevic in the Mixhttps://t.co/bKcXoq0CkP
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 6, 2022
• Congrats to Nikola Vucevic’s idol on getting his number retired!
My idol growing up! Congratulations on getting your jersey retired! Honored to have had the chance to share the court with you! @swish41 #41Forever pic.twitter.com/XlOlCdepu1
— Nikola Vucevic (@NikolaVucevic) January 6, 2022
• Every night the NBA has something crazy to offer …
Nurkic swung on Herro 😳
Blazers-Heat getting chippy pic.twitter.com/joVa5cwopk
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 6, 2022
• … and some nights it has two …
LANCE STEPHENSON SCORED 20 STRAIGHT POINTS IN 6 MINUTES pic.twitter.com/1qtDhstfoc
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 6, 2022
• Let trade season begin!
The Sell-Off Begins with Alex Nylander, So Who’s Next? And Other Blackhawks Bulletshttps://t.co/HqC4jLFubJ pic.twitter.com/Yi6ZlcFHSX
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 6, 2022