David Nwaba still remembers the moment he found out the Bulls had claimed him off waivers from the Lakers in July.
"It was crazy," Nwaba said. "Being on the West Coast all my life and then out of nowhere getting that call I was going all the way to Chicago was crazy. But I was excited about the opportunity. And everything is going well so far."
The Los Angeles native continues to make his energized impact at both ends. In eight starts, Nwaba has averaged 11.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 57.8 percent in 30.9 minutes.
"I think I've been doing OK," Nwaba said. "I don't think I've had any games where I've made a huge impact. I'm just waiting to have those breakout games. It's just about patience and playing hard."
Either double-doubles and 21-point, nine-rebound outings _ both of which Nwaba has posted in his last five games _ no longer have the same impact or the mild-mannered wing is the master of understatement.
Either way, it's no surprise Nwaba is expected to remain a starter even as coach Fred Hoiberg replaces Cristiano Felicio with Bobby Portis for the next block of five games as management looks at different lineup combinations down the stretch.
Then comes an offseason in which Nwaba will be a restricted free agent if the Bulls, as expected, tender a qualifying offer by June 29.
"I got close with this team, built chemistry with everybody. I'd like to play here," Nwaba said. "But we'll see what happens."
That translates to Nwaba appreciating the Bulls' faith in claiming him but understanding it's a business and keeping his options open. The Lakers badly wanted to re-sign him after waiving him to clear salary-cap space to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
"I heard about that but some people felt I was going to get picked up," Nwaba said. "They're both rebuilding teams, so I felt like the Bulls was an equal opportunity. This is my new home."
Hoiberg hopes it's a long-term address.
"Everybody understands the value of David and what he brings as a two-way player," Hoiberg said. "When we inserted David in the starting lineup, he has really given us a great boost. When he was starting earlier in the year, we were playing some of our best basketball of the season."
Nwaba drew three starts early as Kris Dunn worked himself back into game shape following Dunn's gruesome finger dislocation. Similar to Portis, Nwaba is fine with either role.
"It's just basketball at the end of the day," Nwaba said. "Just go out there and compete. It's not really a difference whether it's coming off the bench or starting."
Though he missed both of his attempts in Friday's victory over the Mavericks, Nwaba has shot 5-for-8 from beyond the 3-point line since the All-Star break. Not surprisingly for a self-made player who, after going undrafted and paying his way to attend a G League tryout camp before landing with the Lakers, Nwaba has worked extra with assistant coach Nate Loenser on his shooting.
That's the main knock on Nwaba's game.
"When he has good tempo and balance, he shoots pretty well," Hoiberg said. "But I've really loved what he's given us with that first group because of his toughness and physicality on the defensive end and his ability to push the ball as a facilitator on offense."
Hoiberg even labeled an early-flow offensive package for when Nwaba rebounds and pushes the ball upcourt the "locomotive package." Told this, Nwaba laughed and said he had never heard that.
Or maybe he was just being understated again.
