Only hours after posting a welcome photo of Marcus Domask on their social media, the Chicago Bulls gave the training camp invite the boot.
Ouch.
- Kenny Lofton Jr, EJ Liddell, and Talen Horton-Tucker remain on the battlefield. All three are competing for the team’s remaining two-way contract or Onuralp Bitim’s non-guaranteed full-time roster spot. We have yet to hear from Billy Donovan about any standouts, but the Bulls’ short leash on Domask may suggest they’re looking to make decisions rather quickly. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see another roster decision made quickly after the team’s first preseason game on Oct. 8.
- Let’s also remember that the Bulls may continue to bring people into camp in the coming weeks. Exhibit-10 deals are the best way to secure players for the G-League team. When free agents sign this, they are often incentivized with a bonus to join the organization’s G-League affiliate upon being waived. On top of that, now is simply the best time to take a closer look at anyone the team may have an interest in. You never know when you can find a diamond in the rough.
- Ayo Dosunmu told reporters on Wednesday that Matas Buzelis is making his presence felt. The third-year guard said that his rookie teammate may very well be the most athletic player on the team. And, well, that’s saying a lot considering the presence of dunk contest champ Zach LaVine and draft-class vertical leader Julian Phillips!
- For those who didn’t follow him closely in the G-League, Summer League was a pretty solid display of Buzelis’ explosiveness. But I think the beginning of this season will really open a lot of eyes. Sharing the floor with better ball-handlers and creators will help pull out Buzelis’ transition and off-balls strengths. He is going to finish some absolutely nasty alley-oops this season and pull off some unexpected blocks. Buzelis isn’t the longest athlete when we consider his wingspan, but he knows how to use his six-foot-ten frame and has some impressive body control. The rookie somehow blends fluidity with ferocity, which is something that really makes him stand out on the court.
- Speaking of that athleticism, this connection warms my heart …
- Ayo Dosunmu spoke about his hometown hero’s retirement for the first time …
“He’s a legend. That’s pretty much all I can say,” Dosunmu said (h/t CHSN). “He was probably the first legend that I really saw. I saw him up close … Me being from Chicago, it hits a little different because I saw him come from Memphis his rookie year to his rookie year to ultimately being the youngest MVP ever. It just hit different when you had that connection. Just him being from your city, always rooting for the Bulls. His whole time here, I was always rooting for him … When I was I kid, I was always going to the backyard doing reverse layups saying “DRose.”
- Zach LaVine has been in the league for 11 years and has gone through multiple knee surgeries and foot surgery. Yet, he still moves like a rookie.
- Jalen Smith addressed the media for the first time on Wednesday. The Bulls’ new big man explained his decision to sign with the team, and he seemingly had no problem saying what the front office couldn’t on Media Day.
“Pretty much the main goal is opportunity,” Smith said (h/t Will Gottlieb). “I see this is obviously a team that is rebuilding, and I want to be a part of that as a young guy still trying to learn my way in the league. And pretty much the pitch from them was to come here and just be a basketball player. Come in and play. That’s something that attracted me a lot.”
- If the players can admit the team is rebuilding, so can the front office! Smith also mentioned his versatility and ability to run up the floor as strengths he can provide this team. When we consider the uptempo style of play Billy Donovan hopes to implement this season, I can envision increasing playing time for Smith as the season drags on.
- Youth movements are everywhere!
- REVENGE GAME!