With a potential player revolt now behind him, new coach Jim Boylen seems to have the Bulls headed in the right direction and may be in position for an extension this summer, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
Boylen has enjoyed the full support of team management since taking over after the firing of Fred Hoiberg three weeks ago. He was empowered to bring toughness that many believed was lacking under Hoiberg, and it appears the players are starting to buy in. Chicago has won three of its last five games, including a victory in San Antonio.
“I have been in the league awhile,’’ Boylen said about his relationship with the front office. “If the time comes where they need my support, I’ll be there for them all night long. Whatever they need. We are connected. Never felt more supported in anything in my life and I appreciate it.’’
Cowley adds that Boylen, who wasn’t given an interim title when he took over the job, is almost certain to return next season, with or without an extension. However, that’s not true for everyone as the Bulls are expected to be active in trade talks through the February 7 deadline. Here’s the status of several players currently on the roster, according to Cowley:
- It’s no secret Chicago wants to move Jabari Parker, who was an expensive free agent addition over the summer. Parker was pulled from the rotation shortly after Boylen took over and hasn’t played at all since December 13.
- Robin Lopez could be a backup center for a contender and has an expiring contract worth nearly $14.4MM, but Cowley doesn’t expect the Bulls to get more than a second-round pick in return. Justin Holiday, with a $4.4MM expiring deal, may also be in demand.
- Kris Dunn‘s improved play of late may keep him in Chicago. Part of the return in the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota, Dunn is working toward “core status” with the organization. He will be eligible for a contract extension next summer.
Most contenders don’t have 14.4 million in cap space. My guess is they get a first rounder and take on an additional year of salary.
HUH? Lopez contract ends after this season. This isn’t baseball. In Basketball you have to make the money match up. So you think the Bulls will extend him for a year to make a trade? That’s crazy talk. They’ll take what they can get and be happy with the 40 million in cap space they’ll have after this season. Parker 20 million, Lopez 14, Asik 10 million all gone. Now they just have to talk somebody into coming here to play for Boylen. Good luck with that.
What are you talking about?!? The salaries have to match for THAT year and only if the team acquiring money is over the cap. So, the OP is actually correct. They could move Lopez and his expiring contract for a player with a contract AAV that is within 120% of Lopez 14.9 regardless of how many years are left on said contract.
management also fully supported hoiberg
Lol so true…until he didn’t
Pretty sure the bulls have two of the worst losses in their past 5 seasons this season under this guy. Maybe I’m wrong and he turns it around eventually but the early lows are much worse than Hoiberg.
What coach could’ve done better with this crew? And with the injuries. Stop blaming the coaches. Blame management and the players the acquired.
It’s a clown show and entertaining to watch/discuss in the media!
CHI was really hustling vs CLE; they weren’t treating it like the Tank Bowl. Boylen has to get some credit.
“Dunn is working toward “core status” with the organization.”
No wonder! The Order Of The Core offers its initiates some fine swag. He will look sharp in the red leather blazer & sidehorned shades. ;)
Unless the front office doesn’t think Dunn will ever get better than he is now, I find it insane that there is even a question whether he should be part of the future core. With Lavinia and Markannen being the scorers of the group, they really just need Dunn to distribute, not turn the ball over, drive the lane and make a couple layups and dump the ball off to Carter Jr for a few buckets a game. If he wants near max money, then I understand GarPax not wanting to commit that, but to think Dunn was already out of the core conversation is borderline lunacy. Just goes to show how mindless GarPax are.
**Lavine**