Although there have been “whispers” about the Lakers as a possible landing spot for Bulls guard Zach LaVine for the better part of a year, the pieces that would need to be included in a deal between the two teams wouldn’t fit for Chicago, a source tells Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, making Los Angeles an unlikely landing spot for LaVine.
Cowley, who previously confirmed that there was some “light momentum” in LaVine talks between the Bulls and Nuggets, says no additional progress has been made. The two teams have sent each other feelers about what a trade might look like, but discussions haven’t gone beyond that.
Cowley also takes a look at where things stand with Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball, noting that the Bulls would ideally like to get draft assets and expiring salaries in exchange for both players.
While one report stated that Chicago is seeking a first-round pick in return for Vucevic, a source who spoke to Cowley suggests that’s not necessarily the case and that a package of multiple second-rounders is a more realistic return. Second-round draft compensation and matching expiring money would likely also be a best scenario in a Ball deal, Cowley adds.
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- Point guard Josh Giddey, who has missed four straight games due to a sprained right ankle, is listed as questionable to play on Saturday vs. Milwaukee, as are Ball (illness) and Matas Buzelis (illness). According to Cowley, head coach Billy Donovan seems confident that Ball will be available and said Giddey might be too. “I wouldn’t say it’s a long shot, but a lot is going to depend on how he responds off (Thursday’s) workout and then probably get another one in (Friday),” Donovan said of Giddey’s potential return. “That will probably be a pretty good tell on if he’ll be available on Saturday.”
- While Giddey and Ball may be back on Saturday, it sounds like another injured Bulls guard, Ayo Dosunmu, will miss a little more time. He’s listed as doubtful to play in the Milwaukee game due to a right soleus (calf) strain. “It’s kind of lingered a little bit, gotten sorer and sorer,” Donovan said, per Cowley. “Some of it may be his minutes, I don’t know, but enough that they want to evaluate it and look at it. He is uncomfortable with it right now in terms of planting, pushing off, springing, jumping, that kind of stuff is bothering him.”
- With the Bulls’ backcourt banged up, veteran guard Jevon Carter played 36 minutes and scored 26 points in Thursday’s loss to Atlanta. It was just the second time this season he’s played double-digit minutes and it was his highest-scoring game since he joined the Bulls as a free agent in 2023. In a separate story for The Chicago-Sun Times, Cowley writes that Carter has maintained a positive attitude despite his limited role as a Bull. “I’m happy for him personally, just because all of the time he puts in,” Donovan said. “The opportunities have been limited, but the ability and the maturity competitively just to keep himself ready at all times is really impressive to me. To see him rewarded for the work he puts in was great.”
Bulls are garbage
That is an insult to garbage piles everywhere.
Not so much.
Billy hates his players so much that he only called one timeout during a 50 pt 4th quarter by the hawks, and it was just to advance to ball. There is nothing to be said between that team at this point. It would be absurd not to tank with a top 10 protected pick they owe to the spurs, but so was trading Caruso for giddey and not getting draft picks from a loaded okc team
Where did you read/hear that Donovan “hates” his players? Ridiculous.
Vuce for expring deals and second rounds picks is a steal. He’s good for 20-10, can facilitate if needed and can shoot the three. Yes he’s not a great defender but he gives you all you want and more offensively and rebounds well.
Lakers could do Dlo and a 2nd for Vuce
GSW could go GP2, Looney and a couple 2nds
Miami could go Duncan and a 2nd
Washington could do Bagley and Davis for Vuce which makes sense if they trade Jonas and or Kuzma
Houston could do Adams and Tate
Of all those teams those first three excite me the most. Lakers have AD to put next to Vuce to help with that interior defence and with Bron also there they’d win the rebounding battle and give teams real problems on offence. Both bigs can get buckets down low but can hit shots from the outside, that’s hard for teams to match up with especially with switches and teams trying to play small ball.
GSW could also do with Vuce. They need a big body rebounder in the middle and again what he lacks in defence you have Green beside him helping cover that. Again offensively you’d be so hard to guard with the ball movement having two bigs which make facilitate and make plays. Then ofcourse you’ve got Curry and Heild lighting you up from three, Wiggins and Kuminga on the wings and Dennis coming off the bench.
Miami for them they have been saying for a while they’d like to run two bigs with Bam at the 4. Vuce could fit in with Bam and again it would be hard for other teams cause of the shooting and playmaking ability of these two. Could also set them up for another move be it Jimmy in or out
The reason Vucevic is stuck in Chicago is that, at 35 yrs old, he has 2 years left at $20M/yr.
At his current level of play, he’s worth more than $20M.
But, if he returns to his level of play in previous seasons, that $20M per year kills your team.