New Bulls guard Josh Giddey told reporters on Monday that the ankle injury he suffered at the end of Australia’s run in the Paris Olympics was more serious than initially believed and that he spent the rest of the offseason recovering from it, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Sports Network (Twitter links).
According to Giddey, who said he was diagnosed with a ruptured ATFL (anterior talo-fibular ligament), he and the Bulls have been conservative with his rehab timeline, but he’s close to being ready to suit up. In fact, if there were a playoff game on the schedule tomorrow, Giddey could suit up, he said. The fourth-year guard expects to be “fine” for opening night.
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- Despite an ominous report last week about his recovery from February foot surgery, Bulls forward Patrick Williams has been playing 5-on-5 ball and is “ready to go” for training camp, Bulls head of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said today. According to Johnson (Twitter link), the soreness Williams experienced in the offseason that was reference in last week’s report wasn’t related to his foot surgery.
- Karnisovas said the goal for the Bulls this year won’t be to try to hang onto the top-10 first-round pick they owe the Spurs, but to define the identity and playing style of the new group, per Johnson (Twitter links). The veteran executive added that the current roster isn’t necessarily a “finished product” and that the front office is focused on building a team that’s “faster and more versatile.”
- Lonzo Ball remains optimistic about where he’s at in his recovery from multiple knee surgeries and still hopes to play on opening night, though he acknowledged on Monday that back-to-backs are off the table for him this season and he’ll be on a minutes restriction. “I pretty much have a brand new knee,” the point guard said (Twitter links via Johnson).
- Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times wrote this week that rebuilding Zach LaVine‘s trade value and finding him a new home remains the No. 1 goal for the Bulls’ front office. However, speaking on Monday to reporters, LaVine offered a lengthy opening statement about his commitment to the Bulls, suggesting that he and the club have moved past any negativity from the past, tweets Johnson. Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic passes along video of LaVine’s comments, via Twitter.
- While Cowley believes LaVine’s future is the most significant storyline worth following in Chicago this season, he identifies a few more “secondary” storylines to watch, in a separate article for the Sun-Times.
Have always liked Giddey. He’s got positional size at an important position, PG. IMO he’s a natural passer. Great vision and looks for mates. He’s still a young gun. He can peak in Chicago. Have faith.
Agreed. Giddey is my pick for MIP this season. His progression was kind of hampered by SGA and then the emergence of JW. He was a very young prospect and still only 21(soon to be 22) and was a walking triple double when given the lead role in the back court. It was a great move for both him and Chicago, the kid can hoop.
Yeh exactly, Giddey is a team first guy whose passing and rebounding are excellent. I realise the Thunder may have got better defence with Caruso, but they were already good defensively and may well miss what Josh brought.
Will be interesting how the Bulls use all their guards if Lonzo is healthy. Remember Giddey wanted to be a starter in OKC….
Giddey, White, LaVine, P.Williams, Vucevic
Lonzo, Ayo, Phillips/Terry/Duarte, Buzelis, J.Smith