The Bulls have been dealing with several injuries at power forward this season, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. In addition to starting forward Patrick Williams, Derrick Jones Jr., Javonte Green and Alex Caruso are all sidelined due to injuries or health and safety protocols.
Chicago has a starting core of Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. At power forward, Williams started all five of his games, but the 20-year-old suffered a dislocated wrist in November and is expected to miss most or all of the season.
Jones is likely to miss two-to-four weeks due to a bone bruise in his knee, Green is sidelined with an adductor injury, and Caruso is still in protocols. As for Williams, the Bulls have simply been working on getting his conditioning up this month.
‘‘We’re trying to get him just a conditioning piece; he can do some of that,’’ head coach Billy Donovan said. ‘‘He still has to be very, very careful with the [wrist] in terms of being around a lot of people. There is some form shooting they are allowing him to do. Just trying to get his movements back and trying to get him working on defense, cutting.
‘‘That’s kind of the focus for him right now. He’s been cleared to do a lot of the cardiovascular stuff.’’
There’s more from the Central Division tonight:
- Bulls executive VP Arturas Karnisovas received praise from president and COO Michael Reinsdorf for helping make the team relevant again, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com writes. “When we hired Arturas, I was confident that he would help turn things around, but I can’t say I thought it would be this quickly,” Reinsdorf said. “There are no issues. There’s no drama. Just everyone wanting to get to the next level. It’s a good feeling.”
- The Cavaliers would be interested in acquiring Nets sharpshooter Joe Harris ahead of the February 10 trade deadline, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (hat tip to HoopsHype). Harris played 14 games this season due to ankle surgery, but the 30-year-old averaged 14.1 points on 48% shooting from deep last season.
- Bulls guard Alex Caruso could return on Wednesday against the Cavaliers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter). As noted previously, Caruso is currently in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. He was also dealing with a foot sprain this month.
I’ve said it before but it bears repeating, AK and Eversley have done a great job of turning around a horrible team with no future into a team with talent and a good blend of young, old and a place where any FA would have to think about coming. It makes the Lavine decision all the more important for cap flexibility. I fully trust them to get the job done. If someone doesn’t steal Eversley that is.
100% agree AK/ME and Billy Donovan has been an absolute blessing for this Bulls franchise, and I’m excited to see where they’re able to take this team moving forward!!
It’s been seemingly forever since I’ve been able to say that as a Bulls fan, and it is truly a fresh breath of air!!
I’ve said it before and needs to be repeated DD and Vucevic have and will disappear in the playoffs. Raptors know this, Orlando knows this. But it’s ok, the Bulls fan base deserves to shed some tears. Just don’t book the parade route yet.
I’ve said it before and needs repeating. Last play in Boston last night is all too familiar for Raptor fans and Orlando fans.
Ok man we shall see if you are a prophet
Joe Harris FG%/3P%
Reg Seas: 48/44
Playoffs: 41/38
He did have a couple of good playoff years shooting wise but more have been abysmal than not. Would be a risky move for a team trying make a leap to playoff bball to have an inconsistent playoff performer. Tread carefully CLE!
I know he’s terribly out of form at the moment, he’s got a huge injury history, he’s currently on a good team and just signed a new deal but can’t help but think about Anthony Davis.
Can’t see it happening any time soon but maybe if the bulls and Lakers both go out early in the playoffs. Then the Lakers will take offers on him and Chicago may be desperate enough. If he can get back to form, he was the leagues best big man at one stage. Maybe something like:
Anthony Davis and Talen Horton-Tucker for DeMare DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Coby White and a first round pick.
Could be good for both sides. To add to this further, would love to see DRose return home.
For the Lakers, I can see Jordan and Howard both leaving and Couisns coming back. Then Tristan Thompson links back up with LeBron.
Then both sides line ups or hung like this:
Bulls, Ball LaVine THT AD and Vuce with DRose Caruso J. Green Thad Young and T. Bradley.
Lakers something like, Russ DeRozan LeBron Williams and Cousins with a bench of White Monk Ariza Melo and Thompson.
No thanks.
Yeah take that trash out back.