While the Bulls have yet to sign Zach LaVine to an extension, executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas promises that the organization is committed to their high-scoring wing, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
“The one thing we know is that we’re committed to Zach,’’ Karnisovas said. “We want him to be in Chicago for a very long time. I think the trade deadline and free agency moves kind of proved that.’’
That message is resonating with LaVine.
“It means a lot hearing that from them,’’ he said. “I think you guys know I’m a team-first guy, I’m excited with all the moves that were made, and really looking forward to getting into camp and getting to know these guys and getting the season started because we all have a lot to prove.”
LaVine was also asked for his input on offseason moves, Cowley tweets.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Karnisovas said the Bulls are not 100% vaccinated but “pretty close,” K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago tweets.
- Pacers coach Rick Carlisle hopes T.J. Warren can make a swift recovery from the stress fracture in the navicular bone in his left foot, Akeem Glaspie of the Indianapolis Star reports. “Hopefully, it’ll be weeks and not months, that’s the hope,” Carlisle said. “It’s important for him to keep a very upbeat view of things. The healing process with people is always better and more aggressive when you have a great attitude about it and he has.” Warren has not suffered any setbacks but the location of the injury makes for a tricky rehab, Glaspie adds.
- The Pistons converted rookie center Luka Garza‘s two-way contract into a two-year standard deal this week. It’s a minimum-salary contract, Keith Smith of Spotrac tweets, The first year is guaranteed and Detroit has a team option for 2022/23. If it’s picked up, the second year will also be fully guaranteed.
- Chris Smith, who suffered a torn ACL in January playing for UCLA, is looking at a couple more months before he’s back, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press tweets. The Pistons signed the forward to a two-way contract in August. Another Pistons rookie forward, second-round pick Isaiah Livers, is aiming for clearance to return from his foot injury at the beginning of November, Rod Beard of the Detroit News tweets.
- The Pacers’ arena has officially been renamed Gainbridge Fieldhouse, according to a team press release. It’s a multi-year partnership, replacing the former name Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Gainbridge, a Group 1001 company, is a self-managed digital platform providing clients with direct access to financial products to grow their savings.
Losing Williams is going to hurt the rotation. They were already thin at the wing for defensive players. DJJ is a nice addition but with Williams out, it’s going to be a challenge defensively. That first 15-20 game stretch is a gauntlet. I’m worried they might start slow and blame the Williams injury as an excuse for their defensive miscues and issues against the better teams until 44 comes back.
Garza is going to make it. I’m rooting for him. He’s a player who’s doing all the right things. To make himself a better player. Gotta admire that.
As a lifelong Bulls fan, I’m definitely excited for this upcoming season. It hasn’t gotten off to the best start with Williams being out 4-6 weeks, but at least it wasn’t worse, and he’ll be back soon enough.
They’re going to be really tested early on, as the commenter above alluded, their early schedule is rough, but hopefully they can use those games to work out the kinks, get some solid wins, and come out gelling and working well as a team.
It’s been a looking time since I’ve been excited about a season, and even though they might only finish 6th or so in the East, it’ll just be fun to see the Bulls relevant again and contending..!!
Oh jeez! Beal doesn’t want to get vaccinated? Wiggins, Kyrie, now Beal?
Ok then, it’s very simple for me. Anyone who refuses to take a shot to protect teammates, coaches, fans, I wouldn’t want on my team. So I hope Beal doesn’t come to the Celtics.
Good teams mean one for all & all for one. If some player is so full of himself he won’t get a simple shot, it’s clear when the going gets tough, he’ll think of himself over the team.
Wiggins/Kyrie/Beal would be a pretty good team in the Big3NonVax League.
Of course, putting together more than 1 or 2 more teams would be hard since almost everyone in the NBA has complied and gotten the vaccine.