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Lonzo Ball Lonzo Ball to start 5-on-5 work in August Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 7:33 AM The WAE Show on X Lonzo Ball said on his podcast that he intends to begin 5-on-5 work in August. Analysis: Ball said in May that he intends to be available to start next season, but next month should be a good indicator of his exact timeline. He said that participating in 5-on-5 will be his âfirst real testâ, but that everything in his recovery has been going well recently. They'll likely keep him on a strict load management plan, and he will compete with Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Josh Giddey for minutes in the backcourt.
Emoni Bates Matas Buzelis blocks three shots in summer finale Sat, Jul 20, 2024, 3:01 PM Matas Buzelis finished Saturday's 107-81 loss to the Lakers with 10 points (3-of-11 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and three blocked shots in 25 minutes. Analysis: Despite the Lakers playing without Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, they managed to blitz Buzelis and the Bulls and not look back. The lottery pick did not shoot the ball particularly well, but he did manage to accumulate one steal and three blocked shots. If Buzelis can provide consistent defensive production, that would boost his fantasy value in a lineup that includes Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. In previous seasons, Chicago has been willing to commit to chasing a play-in spot, even if that limits their flexibility in rebuilding. Going all-in on a rebuild would make Buzelis one of the more valuable fantasy rookies in this class.
Julian Phillips Julian Phillips hits four 3-pointers, scores 21 Fri, Jul 19, 2024, 2:20 PM Julian Phillips played 33 minutes in Friday's 103-99 win over the Hawks, accounting for 21 points (6-of-10 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), two rebounds, three steals, one blocked shot, and four 3-pointers. Analysis: Friday's performance was Phillips' best of summer league, as the second-year wing shot 4-of-7 from three and tallied four âstocks.â While lottery pick Matas Buzelis has dominated the early conversations, fantasy managers should not ignore Phillips. He didn't play significant minutes as a rookie, but DeMar DeRozan's departure will free up opportunities for the 2023 second-round pick. How much Phillips plays will depend on the health of Patrick Williams (he'll be good to go for the start of next season) and whether or not the Bulls will commit to a rebuild or continue to chase a play-in tournament spot.
Emoni Bates Matas Buzelis bounces back, scores 28 points Sun, Jul 14, 2024, 6:38 PM NBA on Twitter Matas Buzelis tallied 28 points (10-of-22 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), five rebounds, two steals, and four 3-pointers in 34 minutes in Sunday's 92-82 loss to the Warriors. Analysis: Buzelis wasn't thrilled with his performance in Saturday's win over Milwaukee, as he shot 4-of-15 from the field. The rookie was considerably better on Sunday, scoring a game-high 28 points while shooting the ball better from the field and three. And Buzelis had arguably the dunk of the weekend, posterizing Warriors wing Daeqwon Plowden during the fourth quarter. While the rookie does need to get stronger, he isn't afraid to mix it up on either end of the floor. With the Bulls embarking on a rebuild, Buzelis is a young player the fan base will enjoy watching develop.
Nikola Vucevic Report: No trade market for Nikola Vucevic Sun, Jul 14, 2024, 6:51 AM Joe Cowley There is reportedly âno marketâ for Nikola Vucevic, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. Analysis: Chicago has already made some moves this summer by trading away DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. However, those moves didn't bring back much value, and if they aren't able to get much back in trades for Vucevic and Zach LaVine, this could be the start of a long, long rebuild for the Bulls. There's a chance that Vooch remains in Chicago next season if they don't get offered a good enough deal, but if they are able to move him, Jalen Smith could move into a starting role.
Adama Sanogo Adama Sanogo corrals game-high 12 rebounds vs. MIL Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 12:36 PM Adama Sanogo amassed 17 points (6-of-10 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 12 rebounds, one assist, and three steals in 25 minutes in Saturday's 96-89 win over the Bucks. Analysis: Sanogo did not start on Saturday, but that did not prevent him from being an impactful option in the Bulls' rotation. On a two-way contract for a second consecutive season, he led the Bulls in scoring (tied with Julian Phillips and Javonte Smart), rebounding, and steals (tied with DJ Steward). Andre Drummond's departure in free agency leaves Nikola Vucevic and the recently signed Jalen Smith as the only Bulls big men on standard contracts, so there may be opportunities for Sanogo to earn minutes despite being on a two-way deal. He isn't a must-draft player, but keep an eye on Sanogo in Las Vegas.
Emoni Bates Matas Buzelis scores 15 points in summer debut Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 12:31 PM Matas Buzelis accumulated 15 points (4-of-15 FGs, 7-of-11 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 29 minutes in Saturday's win over the Bucks. Analysis: Buzelis will have better days shooting the basketball, but the Bulls had to be pleased with his aggressiveness on the offensive end of the floor. Does DeMar DeRozan's exit mean the rookie will be a starter from Day One? That remains to be seen. With DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Andre Drummond all moving on, it's clear (on paper) that the Bulls are closer to rebuilding than contending for a playoff spot. Buzelis' defensive activity was also displayed on Saturday, as he tallied two steals and consistently challenged shots and passing lanes.
Julian Phillips Julian Phillips posts double-double vs. Milwaukee Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 12:27 PM Julian Phillips finished Saturday's 96-89 win over the Bucks with 17 points (5-of-11 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), 10 rebounds, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 28 minutes. Analysis: Chicago's second-round pick in the 2023 draft, Phillips' rookie campaign ended in mid-March due to a sprained right foot. He finished the rehab process in mid-May, making Saturday Phillips's first game action since then. And he looked good, displaying good activity on the offensive end of the floor. While DeMar DeRozan is gone, Phillips' fantasy potential in 2024-25 will hinge on what other moves the Bulls make on the wings. If the front office fully embraces a rebuild, he is one of the young players who would benefit.
Patrick Williams Patrick Williams expects to be ready for camp Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 11:40 AM K.C. Johnson on Twitter According to NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson, Patrick Williams (left foot bone edema) said on Saturday that he is running and jumping without pain, and the bone in his left foot is fully healed. Analysis: Ruled out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season in late January, Williams underwent surgery one month later to address the bone edema in his left foot. The good news for the Bulls is that he's moving well without any restrictions and answered âfor sureâ when asked if he expected to be ready for the start of training camp. With DeMar DeRozan moving to Sacramento via sign-and-trade, Williams should take on a more prominent role within the Bulls offense, even with Zach LaVine returning to action. From a fantasy standpoint, the issue has been Williams' inconsistency, but he's worth the risk after agreeing to a new deal.
RaiQuan Gray RaiQuan Gray headed to Chicago in DeRozan trade Mon, Jul 8, 2024, 2:14 PM San Antonio Spurs RaiQuan Gray has been traded to Chicago as part of the three-team deal between San Antonio, Chicago, and Sacramento. Analysis: Having agreed to a two-way contract in March, Gray has been included in the three-team deal headlined by DeMar DeRozan. The 2021 second-round pick only appeared in three games last season, and the chances of him cracking the Bulls' rotation appear slim.
Chris Duarte Woj: Chris Duarte sent to Bulls in three-team deal Sat, Jul 6, 2024, 4:42 PM Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Kings have traded Chris Duarte, two second-round picks, and cash to the Bulls as part of a three-team deal for DeMar DeRozan. Analysis: In exchange for DeRozan, who has agreed to a three-year, $74 million deal, the Kings sent Harrison Barnes to the Spurs and Duarte, two second-round picks, and cash to Chicago. Initially competing with Kevin Huerter for a spot in the starting lineup last season, Duarte was injured during the preseason and never seemed to get back on track. He appeared in 59 games, averaging a career-low 3.9 points while shooting 38.1% from the field. If Chicago embraces a rebuild, there could be opportunities for Duarte to prove himself, but he is not worth selecting in fantasy drafts.
Adama Sanogo Adama Sanogo returning to Bulls on two-way deal Thu, Jul 4, 2024, 2:53 AM Chris Haynes on Twitter Chris Haynes of TNT reports that Adama Sanogo will return to the Bulls on a two-way contract. Analysis: Sanogo will provide center depth behind Nikola Vucevic and Jalen Smith, but he could see a larger role in Chicago's rotation if the Bulls decide to move on from Vucevic in the offseason.
DeMar DeRozan Report: Kings, Bulls discuss DeMar DeRozan deal Wed, Jul 3, 2024, 10:25 PM According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Kings and Bulls have discussed a possible sign-and-trade involving DeMar DeRozan. Analysis: While the Heat have also been reported to have interest in DeRozan, an unrestricted free agent, they lack the ability to give the veteran wing what he's looking for financially. Sacramento and San Antonio are other teams that have reportedly expressed interest. The Kings need an upgrade on the wing to improve their standing within the Western Conference, while the Spurs have already signed Chris Paul to strengthen the roster around Victor Wembanyama. DeRozan has been a consistent fantasy option, providing top-50 value despite failing to offer value in the 3-point category.
Jalen Smith Jalen Smith agrees to three-year deal with Bulls Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 3:31 AM Adrian Wojnarowski on X Jalen Smith has agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with the Bulls, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Analysis: Smith makes the move within the division after spending a few seasons with the Pacers. He'll replace Andre Drummond as the backup center, though he won't be the elite streaming option that Drummond was whenever Nikola Vucevic was out. However, this is good value for the Bulls, and Smith is still a former top-10 pick that is only 24 years old. In Indiana, Smith's departure clears the runway for Isaiah Jackson to be the primary backup center behind Myles Turner.
Patrick Williams Shams: Patrick Williams to re-sign with Bulls Sat, Jun 29, 2024, 6:23 PM Shams Charania on Twitter According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Patrick Williams intends to sign a five-year, $90 million contract to remain with the Bulls. Analysis: With the Bulls extending a qualifying offer to Williams on June 24, the franchise could match any offer he would have received as a restricted free agent. However, things will not get that far, as the two sides have agreed on a lucrative five-year pact. Williams appeared in just 43 games last season, as a bone edema in his left foot required season-ending surgery. With Chicago appearing unlikely to re-sign DeMar DeRozan, Williams should have increased fantasy value next season. However, inconsistent production throughout his first four seasons makes Williams difficult to trust too much in standard leagues.
Emoni Bates Chicago selects hometown kid Matas Buzelis at 11 Wed, Jun 26, 2024, 8:18 PM The Bulls have selected Matas Buzelis with the No. 11 pick in the draft. Analysis: Buzelis opted to go the route of the G League instead of playing in college. He played 30.9 minutes per game for the Ignite and averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.9 blocks and 0.9 triples across 34 minutes per game. His shooting splits were suboptimal (.455/.261/.696), but he was still able to flash some upside as a scorer throughout the season, even if the results weren't always great. Still, a 6'10â forward that can play with the ball in his hands and still make a statistical impact defensively should be incredibly enticing to fantasy managers. He was born in Chicago, and now he'll get the chance to represent his hometown team. If the Bulls choose to reset and move off of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and/or Nikola Vucevic, Buzelis could play a big role in year one.
Josh Giddey Giddey hopes to make life easy for new teammates Tue, Jun 25, 2024, 4:11 PM 670 The Score During his introductory press conference, Bulls guard Josh Giddey said his responsibility with his new team is to âmake the game easy for everybody else.â Analysis: The writing was effectively on the wall for Giddey, as his role diminished during the postseason. His trade from Oklahoma City to Chicago was unsurprising, and the change of scenery may ensure the 2021 lottery pick has a marquee role moving forward. Giddey said Thunder brass wanted to move him into a backup role. While that may have increased usage, Giddey's playing time likely would have decreased. âAnd I just said to [Thunder lead executive Sam Presti], at this point in my career, I'm 21 years old, it wasn't something I was overly eager to do,â Giddey said on Tuesday. "(Presti) completely understood. Throughout the whole process, we were open and honest with each other. And I said to him, âLook, coming off the bench at this point in my career is not something I'm trying to do and take a reserve role.' He got it. We worked together through the whole process. He got me to a great spot. I'm very, very excited to be here in Chicago.â Depending on what the Bulls roster looks like in the fall, the trade should raise Giddey's fantasy ceiling after struggling with his role in Oklahoma City last season.
Patrick Williams Report: CHI extend qual. offer to Patrick Williams Mon, Jun 24, 2024, 7:47 PM Jake Fischer on Twitter According to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, the Bulls have extended a qualifying offer to Patrick Williams. Analysis: The Bulls' decision to extend a qualifying offer to Williams makes him a restricted free agent. Chicago can match any offer that the 2020 lottery pick receives. While the upside is there, he has been an underwhelming player for middling Bulls teams. Williams suffered a season-ending foot injury in late January and underwent surgery toward the end of February. In 43 games, he averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 27.3 minutes.
Zach LaVine Report: 76ers not interested in Zach LaVine Thu, Jun 20, 2024, 8:16 PM Kyle Neubeck on Twitter According to PHLY Sports' Kyle Neubeck, the 76ers are not interested in acquiring Zach LaVine. Analysis: NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson reported on Thursday afternoon that the Bulls have made âas many as 15 trade offersâ centered around LaVine, with Philadelphia being one of the teams approached. According to Neubeck, the 76ers' feelings about LaVine have not changed since the February trade deadline: they aren't interested. Given the recent reports and Chicago reportedly trading Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City for Josh Giddey, it's clear that lead executive Arturas Karnisovas is looking to make significant changes to the Bulls roster ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
Josh Giddey Woj: Thunder to trade Josh Giddey to Chicago Thu, Jun 20, 2024, 4:21 PM Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Thunder will trade Josh Giddey to the Bulls in exchange for Alex Caruso. Analysis: The sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Giddey's fantasy ceiling sank considerably as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became one of the league's best players, and 2022 lottery pick Jalen Williams emerged as a rising star. Playing in a career-high 80 games this past season, Giddey averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.0 3-pointers in 25.1 minutes. The scoring average decreased by more than four points per game compared to the 2022-23 output (16.5), and Giddey's perimeter shooting struggles led him to lose minutes to players such as Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace during the postseason. The move to Chicago could be just what the doctor ordered for Giddey, especially if Lonzo Ball cannot return from his knee injury. The Bulls roster should result in Giddey having the ball in his hands more, even with Coby White stepping up as the starting point guard this season. Fantasy managers should not use a top 60 pick on Josh (Yahoo ADP in 2023-24: 58.9), but he has top 100 potential with this move.