NEWSLETTER
After snapping a five-game skid against the Los Angeles Clippers in blowout fashion, the Chicago Bulls continue their late-night hoops journey in The Bay.
- Do you think Nikola Vucevic has been rehearsing extra hard for this audition? The big man has been linked to Golden State by several sources over the last couple of weeks. After a loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, the Warriors sit 21-22 and 11th in a competitive Western Conference. If they want to avoid wasting another great year from Stephen Curry, they’re going to have to course-correct fast. And with the way Nikola Vucevic has played this season, we have reason to believe he could be the kind of addition that helps them push for the playoffs.
- Heck, Stephen Curry even spoke about the benefits of playing with a stretch big man after last night’s game. The Warriors have played two-way center Quenton Post for at least 14 minutes in each of their last two contests. Do you know who could be more effective than a G League youngster?
“Just the way the league is going right now, having space and having as many shooters as possible at whatever position, the five, it definitely helps. You have counter to aggressive defense that want to take the ball out of my hands … Create advantages off his presence or a shooter’s presence at the five. It definitely helps,” told The Athletic’s Anthony Slater after the Warriors’ loss to the Kings.
- Vucevic is showing this season that he can age gracefully. Trading assets for a 34-year-old center may feel a bit scary for some organizations, but the Warriors shouldn’t be one of them. Vucevic should cost anything more than a pick and salary at the deadline, and Golden State would be adding him for more than just this season. While that can occasionally be viewed as a bad thing, I think it should be considered a very good thing in this case, especially with Curry talking about how much he’d like to play with a stretch big moving forward. The truth is there aren’t many players better in that department than Vucevic right now.
- For what it’s worth, Vucevic has played remarkably well against the Warriors in the past. He has averaged 28.5 points and 10.2 rebounds on 56.0 percent shooting from the field and 42.0 percent shooting from downtown in his last four games versus Golden State. He is also expected to dodge Draymond Green and possibly Kevon Looney tonight! I know it may seem silly, but a strong performance at the Chase Center could certainly make an impression on the Warriors’ front office as they solidify their deadline plans.
- There are a lot of good fake trades out there, but Bobby Marks’ latest for ESPN isn’t one of them. The front office member turned analyst pitched a five-team deal that included Zach LaVine heading to the Milwaukee Bucks. What did the Bulls get in return? Bradley Beal and the least-favorable of a 2027 first-round pick between Cleveland, Minnesota, and Utah. Pardon me while I vomit! Look, I can accept that the deal for LaVine may not provide the return many fans want to see, but this makes zero sense to me. Why in the world would the Bulls take back the worst version of LaVine who costs more money? Is the idea that they are rebuilding and thus willing to take on his salary? If so, they should be receiving A LOT more than one mediocre first-round pick.
- A RARE ARTURAS KARNISOVAS SIGHTING! The executive vice president of basketball operations could be seen rebounding for rookie Matas Buzelis on Wednesday. Let’s hope this was his way of telling Billy Donovan to play his precious No. 11 overall pick more! Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune shared some footage here …
- On his latest video mailbag, K.C. Johnson said he doesn’t expect head coach Billy Donovan to make a starting lineup change despite Patrick Williams’ current struggles. He also got into some of the latest trade rumors, reiterating that the Bulls are open for business.
- Nikola Vucevic got to practice at his old stomping grounds this week. I have to imagine that is a pretty great feeling.
- The Jimmy Butler trade talks continue, and there are now reports of a possible mega deal forming ahead of the trade deadline. Could this hurt the Bulls’ efforts to get business done?
- The Blackhawks have officially signed one of their young forwards to a three-year deal. Tab has more here.
- Several names are departing the Bears organization after the hiring of Ben Johnson, including interim head coach Thomas Brown.
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