Zach LaVine

Eastern Rumors: Knicks, B. Brown, Stewart, Springer, Bulls

December 2nd, 2024 at 2:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Since Landry Shamet dislocated his shoulder during the preseason, scuttling his chances of making the Knicks‘ opening night roster, reports have indicated that the club is highly likely to re-sign him if and when he gets healthy.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype confirms as much and adds another detail to those reports. According to Scotto, if Shamet returns, the hope in New York is that Matt Ryan – who is currently on a non-guaranteed contract – will clear waivers and rejoin the club on a two-way deal.

The Knicks have an open 15-man roster spot, but don’t have enough breathing room below their hard cap to carry both players on standard deals, so Ryan would have to be cut if Shamet re-signs.

Here are a few more rumors from around the Eastern Conference:

Although the Raptors declined offers of multiple second-round picks for Bruce Brown at last season’s trade deadline, there’s a widespread belief that the versatile swingman will be back on the trade block this season, per Scotto. Brown, who is on an expiring $23MM contract, continues to make his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and appears to be getting closer to making his season debut.
Isaiah Stewart‘s demotion to a bench role this season for the first time since his rookie year has led executives around the NBA to believe that the Pistons‘ big man will be available on the trade market this season, according to Scotto. Stewart is in the first season of a four-year, $60MM contract that features flat annual cap hits of $15MM.
Confirming previous reporting, Scotto says the Celtics gauged the trade market for Jaden Springer and his $4MM expiring contract in the fall. While there were teams willing to take on Springer if it means acquiring draft compensation from Boston, the C’s weren’t interested at that time in giving up draft capital to move off of the guard’s contract, Scotto reports. It will be interesting to see if that changes before the trade deadline.
Explaining the recent uptick in trade rumors surrounding the Bulls, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times says, citing a source, that the only new development in Chicago is that the team is “starting to look at a more responsible asking price” for veterans like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. The Bulls remain unwilling to attach a first-round pick to LaVine though, Cowley notes.

Trade Rumors: Collins, Jazz, Bulls, Nets, Zion, Butler

December 1st, 2024 at 5:29pm CST by Rory Maher

In each of the past two seasons, the Jazz started out surprisingly competitive, with .500 records in early February, only to sell off veterans and tank down the stretch to improve their lottery odds. With a 4-15 start to the 2024/25 campaign, Utah’s front office probably isn’t concerned about the team’s place in the reverse standings.

That doesn’t mean the Jazz won’t be listening to offers for their veterans again though, according to Marc Stein at Substack, who lists big man John Collins and guards Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton as three trade candidates to keep an eye on.

On paper, Collins put up solid numbers in ’23/24, which was his first season with Utah, averaging 15.1 PPG and 8.5 RPG on .532/.371/.795 shooting in 68 games (28.0 MPG). But there was a fairly long adjustment period between player and team — his fit was awkward at times in the frontcourt.

Collins has looked more comfortable — and been more productive — to open ’24/25, averaging 17.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.5 APG and 1.3 SPG (up from 1.1 and 0.6 last season, respectively) in approximately the same amount of minutes (28.7 MPG). His shooting line is currently .535/.353/.949.

The 27-year-old’s bounce-back season has Utah’s front office happy with the decision to acquire him from Atlanta for essentially a second-round pick, Stein writes. Collins is owed $25.8MM this season, with a $26.8MM player option for ’25/26, so his contract could prove more difficult to move than that of Clarkson, who is owed $14.1MM this season and $14.3MM in ’25/26, Stein adds. Sexton, meanwhile, will earn $18.4MM in ’24/25, followed by $19.2MM in ’25/26.

Here are some more trade rumors from around the NBA:

Like Jake Fischer, Stein hears the Bulls are considered a prominent seller ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, with Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball considered the most likely candidates to be dealt. In fact, Stein says Chicago’s front office seems confident it will be able to trade “at least one” of those players in the next few months.
A surprisingly competitive 9-11 start reportedly won’t deter the Nets from trading away veterans, with Brooklyn expected to join Utah and Chicago as clear sellers. “Just about everyone on their roster is available as long as they don’t take back long-term money,” one source told Brian Windhorst of ESPN (Insider link). “(But) they’re not giving anyone away. At least not yet.” According to Stein, rival teams are particularly intrigued by the strong play of veteran point guard Dennis Schröder, who is on an expiring $13MM contract.
This isn’t a trade rumor, but Stein reports that there’s a “rising expectation” that Pelicans star Zion Williamson will hire Bill Duffy of WME Sports to be his next agent. Williamson, who is currently sidelined by a hamstring strain, recently parted ways with CAA. Duffy has several prominent clients around the NBA, per RealGM, including Vucevic, Luka Doncic, Scottie Barnes and Anthony Edwards, among others.
A number of teams are monitoring Jimmy Butler‘s situation with the Heat, Fischer said on a Bleacher Report livestream (video link). However, Fischer hasn’t heard any recent chatter specifically involving the six-time All-Star, who can be an unrestricted free next summer if he declines his $52.4MM player option for ’25/26.

Bulls Notes: Potential Trades, Giddey, Ball, Backcourt

November 30th, 2024 at 8:29am CST by Luke Adams

After Jake Fischer reported on Friday that the Bulls are open to discussing the “majority of their roster” in trade talks this season, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (Insider link) confirms that rival teams are viewing Chicago as a probable in-season seller. Those rivals believe the Bulls will likely want to take steps to ensure they finish among the NBA’s bottom 10 teams and hang onto their top-10 protected first-round pick.

Still, there’s some skepticism about just how much value Chicago will be able to extract in return for the players believed to be trade candidates, such as Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.

“It makes sense for them to trade a veteran, especially if it opens more playing time for rookie (Matas Buzelis)” an executive told ESPN. “But who are they trading that would make a difference? They’ve been trying to move LaVine for more than a year but there’s been no good market. They want to keep (Coby) White, and Vucevic is on the books for $21 million next year.”

Here’s more out of Chicago:

Rival teams are also monitoring the Bulls’ usage of Josh Giddey, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN (Insider link), who says opposing scouts and executives have “noted” Giddey’s recent dip in playing time. Giddey, who will be a restricted free agent in 2025, has started all 21 games for the Bulls so far this season, but has played more than 26 minutes just twice in his past nine games, and his on/off-court numbers haven’t been great, as Bontemps notes. Even after Giddey was a +14 in 24 minutes on Friday, the Bulls have a -7.3 net rating in his 565 minutes this season, compared to a -2.9 mark in the 443 minutes he hasn’t played.
As Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune observes, Giddey was replaced by Lonzo Ball in the Bulls’ closing lineup on Friday vs. Boston for defensive reasons. Giddey didn’t play the final 8:43 of the loss, while Ball surpassed his anticipated 16-minute limit midway through the fourth quarter and logged a season-high 21:40. Head coach Billy Donovan consulted with both Ball and the Bulls’ medical team before making that decision, Poe writes.
Donovan raved after the game about Ball’s ability to impact a game even when his shot isn’t falling, as Kyle Williams of The Chicago Sun-Times relays. “The steals, the disruption, the hands, knocking down his first couple threes,” Donovan said. “Even if he missed those two shots, he still had a huge impact on the game.” The Bulls’ head coach added that reintegrating Ball into a crowded backcourt rotation hasn’t been an issue, since his players – including Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu – have been positive about the adjustments to their roles. “The unselfishness part of all the guards has been really key,” Donovan said. “I think Lonzo having that stint of 15 or 16 minutes, getting him out there, the team is excited for him. What makes it easier for me is the way those guys have handled it. It’s never been like, ‘Hey, I’m the point guard.’ They’ve all been willing to give up something for the betterment of each other.”
A win over the Celtics on Friday would’ve secured the Bulls’ spot in the NBA Cup knockout round. Instead, they’ve been eliminated from contention, having finished the group stage with a 2-2 record. The Hawks (3-1) won Chicago’s group (East Group C) and earned a place in the quarterfinals.

Fischer: Bulls Open To Discussing ‘Majority Of Their Roster’

November 29th, 2024 at 3:37pm CST by Rory Maher

The Bulls are viewed as a prime candidate to sell off veterans ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, Jake Fischer writes on Marc Stein’s Substack page.

As Fischer explains, Chicago has been fairly competitive thus far, currently holding an 8-12 record. But winning too many games could jeopardize the Bulls’ first-round pick, which will convey to San Antonio if it falls outside of the top 10 in next year’s draft (Chicago will keep the pick if it lands in the top 10).

That’s why the Bulls have been signaling to rival teams that they’re open to discussing the “majority of their roster” ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, league sources tell Fischer. Unsurprisingly, Fischer hears Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball top the list of players Chicago would like to move.

The Bulls have reportedly been trying to trade LaVine for well over a year, but have yet to find a suitable deal due to his injury history and maximum-salary contract — he’ll earn a combined $89MM this season and next, with a $49MM player option for ’26/27.

The 29-year-old has been productive this season, averaging 21.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 4.3 APG on a sparkling .510/.434/.814 shooting line through 17 games (33.7 MPG). He has also reportedly mended fences with head coach Billy Donovan.

However, three teams who previously held some level of interest in the two-time All-Star — the Kings, Warriors and Pistons — are now considered unlikely suitors for LaVine, according to Fischer.

Here’s more on the Bulls from Fischer’s latest story:

He doesn’t explicitly mention him by name, but Fischer strongly suggests multiple rival teams would want young players Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips included in any package for taking on LaVine’s contract.
Vucevic, who is having the most accurate shooting season of his career from all over the court (62.5% on twos, 44.9% on threes, 86.0% on free throws), should have positive trade value. One GM told Fischer he thinks the former All-Star center could net the Bulls a couple of second-round picks. The 34-year-old is earning $20MM in ’24/25, followed by $21.5MM in ’25/26.
Rival teams haven’t shown much interest in forward Patrick Williams, according to Fischer. Williams, who is currently sidelined with a foot injury, re-signed with Chicago as a restricted free agent over the summer, inking a five-year, $90MM deal.
Is Josh Giddey a lock to stay in Chicago? Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that Chicago and Giddey didn’t have any meaningful discussions about a rookie scale extension prior to October’s deadline, and Fischer hears the Bulls never even made the 22-year-old an offer. Giddey will be a restricted free agent in 2025, and his play and minutes have been inconsistent early in his Bulls tenure.
Fischer suggests contending teams might have some interest in Jevon Carter, but I’d be shocked if he has anything but negative trade value. The veteran guard didn’t play well last season in his first campaign with Chicago, he’s only played 48 total minutes in ’24/25, and he makes $6.5MM this season, with a $6.8MM player option for ’25/26 that he’s virtually certain to exercise.

Central Notes: LaVine, Cavs, Haliburton, Q. Jackson, A. Thompson

November 21st, 2024 at 6:30pm CST by Luke Adams

The Zach LaVine discourse during the 2024 offseason focused less on what the Bulls guard was capable of doing on the court and more on potential red flags off of it, including his injury history, his sizable contract, and his relationship with head coach Billy Donovan. Speaking to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports earlier this week, LaVine admitted it was impossible to ignore that chatter.

“I heard everything. I read everything,” LaVine said. “Sometimes you gotta take that accountability and put a chip on your shoulder. There’s a lot of things people said I had to prove. I think my résumé speaks for itself, the type of player I am, the type of person I am, but it is what it is. You can always turn some heads.”

While there’s still some skepticism about whether LaVine is worth the $138MM he’s owed from this season through 2026/27, he has done all he can to silence his critics so far this fall, repairing his relationship with Donovan, staying relatively healthy, and playing some of the best basketball of his career. His 51.2% shooting percentage and 43.2% mark on three-pointers would be career highs if he can maintain them, and he has been a more active defender than in past seasons.

As for his contract, LaVine won’t apologize for taking the five-year, maximum-salary offer the Bulls made him in 2021, telling Goodwill that he believes he earned that deal.

“I don’t know,” LaVine said. “It’s not for me to try to make everybody like me. I’m happy for what I got, what I deserved. And some people may not feel that way and you may judge it off that. But regardless, I know who I am and what I’ve done in this league.

“… I’m in a good place and I feel sharp right now,” LaVine added. “Being able to be one of the veteran guys on the team and still being able to do what I do. Help win in any way I can. Defense one day, facilitating, whatever they call for.”

We have more from around the Central:

The Cavaliers‘ loss on Tuesday to the defending champion Celtics snapped their 15-game win streak to start the season, but the three-point defeat only emboldened the team’s belief in its itself, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required). Chris Mannix of SI.com conveys as similar sentiment, writing that the measuring-stick loss proved the Cavs are for real. Cleveland bounced back with a 28-point blowout of the Pelicans on Wednesday and is now a league-best 16-1.
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton continued to struggle on Wednesday, scoring just four points on 1-of-7 shooting as the team was outscored by 28 points in his 30 minutes on the floor, notes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Haliburton, who is in the first season of a five-year, maximum-salary contract, is making just 37.5% of his field goal attempts through 15 games, including 28.4% of his three-pointers. Both would be career lows by a wide margin.
The Pacers dropped to 6-9 with Wednesday’s loss to Houston, but it wasn’t all bad news for Indiana. Two-way player Quenton Jackson made his first career start and made an immediate impact, scoring 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting. “Quenton Jackson is an example of where we need everybody’s spirit to be,” head coach Rick Carlisle said, per Dopirak. “The guy is flying all over the place, playing at a ridiculously high level of intensity and unselfishness and totally surrendering to the team, you know? … For us, we just have to work at adopting that on a full-time basis and really being there for each other.”
The Pistons aren’t rushing the return of Ausar Thompson, who has yet to make his season debut after dealing with a blood clot issue, but Zach LaVine‘s performance in a Bulls win over Detroit on Monday was a reminder of how the team could benefit from reintegrating a defensive stopper like Thompson, says Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. “He’s a guy who can eliminate the other team’s best players,” J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Any time you add that to the system and the scheme and the way guys have bought into it, it just gives you an added boost. He can switch, he can guard multiple positions. We’re excited to have him back for sure.” Thompson is listed as doubtful to play in Charlotte on Thursday but is believed to be close to returning.

Central Notes: LaVine, Donovan, Bulls, Pistons, Cavs

November 15th, 2024 at 8:02am CST by Luke Adams

There have been reports in recent years of tension between Bulls star Zach LaVine and head coach Billy Donovan, who often didn’t see eye to eye with one another, but the relationship between LaVine and Donovan this season is as good as it’s ever been, one Bulls player tells Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.

As Cowley writes, LaVine seems happier and more willing to buy in to Donovan’s system so far this fall. His increased engagement has been evident on the defensive end, which has typically been his Achilles heel. While LaVine still isn’t a lock-down defender, his effort level has been higher on that side of the ball this season.

“I’m definitely trying,” LaVine said of his defense. “I know what I can do on that end, especially in isolation one-on-one, and just try and make it tough on them.”

“I really respect and admire what he’s doing because he’s trying to play on both ends of the floor and he’s giving everything he has on both ends,” Donovan said.

Here’s more from around the Central:

The Bulls are just 5-7 so far this fall, but have picked up impressive road wins in Milwaukee, Memphis, and New York. Are they a little too talented to finish in the bottom 10 of the NBA standings and retain their protected 2025 first-round pick? Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic weighs that question, noting that a scenario in which the Bulls miss the playoffs but have their pick land in the 11-14 range would be a worst-case outcome.
Pointing out it took the Pistons just 13 games to get to five wins this season after it required 44 games a year ago, Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (subscription required) identifies Isaiah Stewart, Malik Beasley, and rookie Ron Holland as three players whose stock is up in the early going. While Cade Cunningham‘s shooting percentages (.456 FG%, .364 3PT%) are career highs, Sankofa has the former No. 1 overall pick in the “stock down” section of his article, observing that Cunningham needs to cut back on his turnovers (5.0 per game).
David Aldridge of The Athletic considers whether the 13-0 Cavaliers are built for postseason success, while Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda takes a look at the role that Georges Niang, whom head coach Kenny Atkinson refers to as a crucial “connector,” plays in Cleveland’s game plan.

Central Notes: Pistons’ G League, Atkinson, LaVine

November 10th, 2024 at 5:48pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Pelicans have done an excellent job developing players via their NBA G League franchise. The Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa details how Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, a former New Orleans executive, is trying to build the same model with the Motor City Cruise. The Pistons G League team practices in the same facility as the NBA team and plays its games a short distance from Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.

“An NBA head coach can walk and watch our practice every single day,” Cruise GM Max Unger said. “For our players, they have the built-in resources and the accountability of being in an NBA building where people have eyes on you. When I’m going through the draft process, whether a G League draft, an NBA draft, we’re talking to potential Exhibit 10 projects. The fact that we are under one roof is an incredible, incredible thing.”

We have more from the Central Division:

In a subscriber-only story, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Chris Fedor describes how former Warriors assistant and current Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has Cleveland playing much like Golden State’s premier teams. The Cavs will carry an 11-0 record into their game against Chicago on Monday.
Atkinson says he’s learned a lot of lessons since being fired as the Nets’ head coach in 2020. “[I’m] more patient, more of a manager,” the Cavaliers head coach told Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “[In] Brooklyn, I was a real coach. I was really coaching the game hard, which is typical for a first-time coach. You’re trying to make sure every shootaround is perfect, every practice is perfect. And it’s my experience with Steve [Nash] and Ty [Lue], and my international experience being around other coaches, just having more of a big-picture feel. I do a better job of managing the locker room, managing players, don’t get so stressed out about the little things like I used to. I’m sure that comes with age, too.”
While Zach LaVine‘s name is inevitably brought up in trade rumors, he has blocked out the noise and concentrated on the Bulls’ season, coach Billy Donovan told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. “I felt in September when he came back, he was all in. I felt like when training camp started, he has been all in, committed to trying to play the way we need to play,” Donovan said. LaVine says he’s committed to being a team leader as well and doing whatever the franchise asks of him, Cowley adds in a separate story. “I don’t think you ever lower expectations,” LaVine said. “You go into each game trying to win, regardless. I don’t care if you have the lowest expectations on the totem pole, we’re trying to win games, at least I am. I’m not here trying to throw no games. Been in Chicago for years, we’re not trying to lose games. But understanding the situation we’re in with the guys, we’re trying to develop dudes as well. You know, how can the veteran guys put their footprint into the game and help us win, but also help raise these guys’ level of play.”

Bulls Notes: Giddey, Roster, LaVine, Vucevic

November 8th, 2024 at 11:28pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bulls were offered as many as two first-round picks for Alex Caruso prior to the 2024 trade deadline, sources confirmed to Jamal Collier of ESPN. Instead, Chicago traded Caruso to Oklahoma City over the summer in a one-for-one swap for fourth-year point guard Josh Giddey in a move that resulted in some outside criticism for the front office.

As Collier details, the Bulls preferred to acquire an established NBA player instead of future draft assets because they want to avoid a full-fledged roster tear-down. They also envision Giddey as a key part of a new-look roster built to employ a run-and-gun style.

“(Giddey) plays exactly how we want to play,” Bulls general manager Marc Eversley told ESPN.

Entering Friday’s action, the Bulls ranked first in the NBA in pace (105.22 possessions for game) and had significantly increased their three-point rate since last season, launching 42.2 attempts per game, good for third in the league. By comparison, the 2023/24 Bulls finished 26th with 32.1 three-point attempts per contest.

“We don’t run, we’re done,” head coach Billy Donovan told his team last month. “It’s that simple. If we run, we’ll have some fun.”

Here’s more on the Bulls:

Chicago’s roster moves haven’t translated to on-court success so far this season. The team has a 3-6 record and has struggled defensively. Still, Giddey believes there’s a good foundation in place to build upon, per Collier. “We’ve got pieces,” Giddey said. “It’s not like we’re starting from scratch. It’s a really talented group and whether that’s the first week or the 15th, or somewhere in between, we’ll be where we’re meant to be. We are all buying into what we’re trying to do here.”
The Bulls are still expected to explore the trade market in search of takers for veterans Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic later this season, Collier reports. For now, the focus is on rebuilding the duo’s value following a disappointing 2023/24 campaign. Both players are benefiting from Giddey’s play-making so far — Vucevic’s 58.1% field goal percentage would be a career high, while LaVine’s 49.5% mark would be the second-highest rate of his career.
According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report (video link), he recently asked an NBA general manager what sort of price he’d pay to acquire Vucevic. The GM responded that he’d give up “a couple of” second-round picks. Fischer adds that trading Vucevic during the season is probably more realistic for the Bulls than finding a viable in-season deal for LaVine.

Injury Notes: Vassell, Brogdon, V. Williams, Jazz, Bulls

November 7th, 2024 at 4:01pm CST by Rory Maher

The Spurs are optimistic that swingman Devin Vassell could make his season debut on Saturday vs. Utah, Shams Charania of ESPN said on NBA Countdown (Twitter video link).

A former lottery pick who is in the first season of a lucrative long-term extension, Vassell’s 2024/25 debut has been delayed by offseason foot surgery. But it sounds like he’s fully healthy now, with his return “imminent,” according to Charania.

Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscriber link) first reported that Vassell would be back as soon as Saturday.

Here are several more injury notes from around the NBA:

Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon appears to be inching closer to a return. The former Sixth Man of the Year underwent thumb surgery last month, and while he’s still wearing a wrap, he has progressed to shooting with his right hand, which is an encouraging sign, per Chase Hughes of The Monumental Sports Network (Twitter video link).
The Grizzlies have dealt with numerous injuries once again to open ’24/25. One injured player — third-year wing Vince Williams — is getting back into shape. Memphis assigned him to the team’s G League affiliate on Thursday to practice. Williams will be immediately recalled following the practice session, the Grizzlies announced (via Twitter). Williams, who is recovering from a stress reaction in the upper portion of his left tibia, is on track to make it back to game action in about one-to-three weeks.
The Jazz should get some reinforcements back on Thursday in Milwaukee. Lauri Markkanen (back), Jordan Clarkson (heel) and Isaiah Collier (hamstring) have all been upgraded to probable, tweets Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Markkanen has missed Utah’s past three games, while Clarkson has missed the past two. Collier, a first-round pick earlier this year, has yet to make his regular season debut.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan recently provided a minor injury update on Lonzo Ball, who is dealing with a sprained right wrist. As K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Sports Network relays (via Twitter), Donovan said Ball is still wearing a splint and there’s no timetable for his return.
Bulls wing Zach LaVine has been downgraded to doubtful for Thursday’s game vs. Minnesota due to an adductor strain, Johnson tweets, indicating the two-time All-Star is likely to miss his third consecutive game. However, it’s possible LaVine might return on Saturday vs. Atlanta, Johnson adds.

Bulls Notes: Buzelis, Vucevic, Smith, LaVine, THT

November 6th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Rookie Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft, continues to play very sparingly at the NBA level this fall, resulting in the team sending him to the G League over the weekend for a brief assignment with the Windy City Bulls. Potential stints in the NBAGL were always part of the plan for Buzelis, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, who says it would be “incorrect” to view the assignment as a negative.

The G League season won’t tip off until this Friday, but Buzelis told reporters after returning to the NBA that he got the opportunity to scrimmage against the Iowa Wolves on Saturday, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link).

“I was fine with it. I know it’s part of my development,” Buzelis said. “There’s always a learning curve going into the NBA. It’s a different animal.”

Buzelis has logged total 32 minutes across six appearances for Chicago so far, scoring five points on 2-of-12 shooting during his brief cameos.

Here’s more on the Bulls:

After a down year in 2023/24, Nikola Vucevic is off to a hot start this fall, hitting 48.5% of his three-point attempts, increasing his scoring average to 21.7 points per game, and earning kudos from head coach Billy Donovan for his play on defense too, according to Cowley of The Sun-Times and Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune. “I know it’s early in the year, but he’s really played well on both ends of the floor,” Donovan said. “He’s been great. He’s been great with the young guys. He’s shot the ball well both inside the line and outside the line. I think the thing with him, with the way we’re playing, he’s getting a lot of close-outs. Guys are running at him, and he’s really a good passer.” Long viewed as a possible trade candidate, Vucevic is making $20MM this season, with one more year and $21.5MM left on his contract after that.
Within a mailbag for the Tribune, Poe considers whether it might make sense for the Bulls to experiment with two-big lineups featuring Vucevic and offseason addition Jalen Smith.
After missing Monday’s game vs. Utah due to a right adductor strain, Zach LaVine is listed as questionable to play in Dallas on Wednesday, per the NBA’s official injury report. It’s the first game of a back-to-back set for the Bulls, who will return home to host the Timberwolves on Thursday, so we’ll see if the banged-up guard is also active tomorrow if he’s cleared to play tonight.
The only NBA player to make a standard regular season roster on an Exhibit 10 contract, Talen Horton-Tucker saw his first significant action of the season on Monday with LaVine out, Poe writes for The Tribune. The Bulls outscored the Jazz by five points during Horton-Tucker’s 28 minutes in the nine-point loss, as he contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists. The veteran guard’s minimum salary will remain non-guaranteed until January 7.

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