The Cavaliers awarded coach J.B. Bickerstaff with a lucrative Christmas present, extending him through the 2026/27 season. Continuity on the coaching staff will allow the team’s young core to grow, Kelsey Russo of The Athletic opines. It also ensures that the positive culture Bickerstaff has built will become a fixture.
“It’s meaningful to know that you’re with an organization and with a group of people that believe in you and believe in what we’re building and what we’re working towards,” the Cavaliers’ head coach said. “When you have that support, it just gives you more confidence to go out and do the job that you see fit.”
We have more from thee Central Division:
- Bulls guard Coby White admits he’s having a rough season, Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago writes. White missed the first 13 games this season while rehabbing a shoulder injury and spent five games in COVID-19 protocols. Now, he’s adjusting to a new off-the-ball role. “It’s been difficult. I ain’t going to lie and say it’s been easy. It hasn’t been easy,” said White, who is in the third year of his rookie deal. Chicago has already exercised its option on his contract for next season.
- The Bulls have been very aggressive on the trade and free agent markets since last season’s trade deadline. Look for them to make something happen before this year’s Feb. 10 trade deadline, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times opines. Derrick Jones, Troy Brown and White are potential trade candidates and there will be an increasing number of teams with dim playoff hopes willing to make a move.
- The Pacers signed Keifer Sykes to a new contract on Monday. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto (Twitter link), it’s a two-year deal and the second year includes a team option.
Keifer will finally get to live his NBA dream, and maybe even get his team optionn picked up! Good for him.
From the TBT to the NBA!
Good for him!!
Why would the Bulls trade DJJ, he is a nice piece of this team with his energy on offense off the bench and his ability to disrupt on defense, Troy brown and Coby make more sense just because of redundancy
Exactly. Why trade DJJ? DJJ has been excellent. Would not be in a hurry to trade Coby White either. White is a decent guard to have coming off the bench. Every team needs a good bench.
I don’t know what his value in a trade is, but I believe White has a bright future. Bulls backcourt is crowded. At full strength, he’s odd man out. However, he provides Vinnie Johnson like instant offense off the bench when given the opportunity. As a Bulls fan, I’d hate to give him up. If he brought the wing or big they are searching for, it could create a good trade for both teams.
Not sure what piece the Bulls should give up. Covid has proved everyone on that bench has some value. A rim protecting 4/5 would certainly help during playoff time.
I’d love to see the Bulls get Turner or Sabonis from Indiana. Feels like White needs a fresh start someplace else where he can play on the ball a lot more.
White, what else and what else for Turner/Sabonis?
Those guys make more money than the Bulls want to pay next year. It would be cheaper with Lavine needing a big raise to draft somebody or trade for a cheaper option. Both those guys are supposed to make 18 million for the next 2 years.
Lol they can afford it, they aren’t even a tax paying team yet. Pwill would have to be included for sabonis and between him and white that’s 15 mil next year… So you are saying they can’t afford to add 3 mil next year?
They’re not going to trade Williams. They’d be adding 18 million plus whatever Lavine goes up plus the other raises that are coming. Sabonis and Turner can’t even prove they can play with each other so why would they be any better paired with Vujevic? Plus both those guys think they’re ” The Man” on the team. At best here they’d be the 4th “Man” at best.
Keep djj please…
Jones is on an expiring deal and with Lavine obviously getting a big raise next year the Bulls will have to clear out some cap space. The Bulls won’t be able to re-sign DJJ probably because he will be a hot commodity in FA. Brown also is on an expiring deal and by dealing at least those two clears 14 milion which should cover Lavine and Coby’s raises. So to put it simply, They can deal them and get something back and maybe a couple draft picks they lost in the deals last year. Plus, they have a 5 million trade exception from the Theis deal so they don’t have to make the money match. Either way, AK and Eversley have my trust to make the right deal.
If they can get a beefy big, it would be worth some combination of DJJ, Brown, and/or White, and a 2nd rounder. Doesn’t need to shoot, just enforce and grab boards.
Lavine is on an expiring deal also but I’ll be the first one to admit I have no idea if he’s even eligible for Bird rights. I have no clue how that works. They at least should get a 2nd round pick for next year if for no other reason than to get the league off their backs to pay the stupid Lonzo Ball fine. Lavine says he wants to stay and I’m sure AK and Eversley want him back so in my experience when both sides want something it will usually get done. I still would love if the Bulls could find a way to get Kofi Cockburn next year to bang with the teams the Bulls struggle against that have 2 big strong 5’s. White’s salary only increases 2.5 million next year so no big deal either way.
The Bulls have the fifth best record now. Why now let the current group of players go for as deep a run in the playoffs as possible? Don’t trade key players such as DJJ now.
IMO Kofi doesn’t look like he will be good in the NBA. Kofi is just a big strong man. Can’t throw a beach ball in the ocean.
Then you haven’t watched any Illinois games this year. His quickness is up, his FT shooting is greatly improved and he’s running the floor much better than last year. All the reasons he didn’t get drafted last year, he’s worked on last offseason. Watch a game before you judge. He even has a decent mid range shot now.
Potential trades
DJJ for Marvin Bagley
Brown Jr for Jalen Smith
Brown Jr for Kevin Knox
DJJ and Brown Jr for T. Ross and MCW
If I’m the bulls I’d take 1 and 3 and be happy as Larry. Bagley can be used as a starter occasionally if you want an athletic strong big man, otherwise he can be good from the bench.
As for Knox, I just still see some upside in him still, just needs to leave NY and start fresh.
A brain embolism would be preferable to any of those deals. Besides Jalen Smith isn’t going anywhere.
He is come FA
The Bickerstaff deal was probably offered too soon. Before 2027 arries, a veteran’s coach will likely be preferred to get the team to the top, like with ATL & PHL getting tired of their youth-player coaches.
Does this five year extension really lock in the current positive aspects, or will the positives leave if certain players leave?
I gurss at this point, Gilbert does not care if he has to pay three HCs at once down the road.