It could be a very interesting next four weeks for this Bulls organization.
And that’s not even considering what takes place on the court.
According to a league source, executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has been growing in popularity amongst other NBA teams looking to acquire talent by the tentative Mar. 25 trade deadline, with veteran Thad Young suddenly drawing the most interest.
Young has a somewhat cap-friendly contract, making $13.5 million this season and $14.1 million in the 2021-22 season, and would be ideal for a key bench spot on a contending team. However, the source said that Karnisovas has made no indications of being a seller with any of his assets yet.
That would reiterate what Bulls coach Billy Donovan said two weeks ago, when he was asked about trade discussions he’s had with his front office.
“I think for Arturas, I think his main thing right now, I think he’s evaluating,’’ Donovan said of trade-deadline talk. “We’re communicating, and the biggest thing right now is the investment we can make in these guys that are here now, and we want to continue to help them grow and get better.’’
Unless Karnisovas gets an offer he can’t turn down, there could be more incentive for the Bulls to hang onto Young for several reasons.
First, the divide between Eastern Conference teams from the No. 6 seed all the way down to No. 13 is minimal, so there is a playoff push to be had, and Young could be a necessity in that being successful.
Secondly, Young’s influence in the locker room has been huge in the growth of much of this roster.
Finally, Young could be a key bench presence next season with Otto Porter Jr. all but gone after this year. If the 2021-22 season does start out as a stumble, the Bulls could always revisit moving Young then.
Varsity Bulls
With this being Super Bowl Weekend, Donovan was asked which one of his current players could have been the best NFL player. His response?
“Well I’d say with his speed, this will probably be a name for you because I was a big fan – I think Zach LaVine could be like Willie Gault,’’ Donovan said. “Fast up the sidelines, yes, he would be very good. I think Coby [White] could be a really good running back, we could have some guys. I think Coby actually may have played some football when he was younger, maybe early part of high school if I’m not mistaken.’’
As far as Donovan’s football background? Well, he was no Fred Hoiberg, who was actually recruited by Nebraska to play quarterback.
“Just until eighth grade, Pop Warner or whatever that was called,’’ Donovan said of his football playing days. “After that it was just, right after I got to high school there was no three sports.’’
Rookie report
While Patrick Williams has been impactful for the Bulls and their starting lineup, in the big picture of NBA Rookie of the Year, the FSU product is slightly fading from that spotlight.
Williams entered Friday eighth in scoring amongst his first-year brethren at 9.7 points per game. Timberwolves guard – and No. 1 overall pick – Anthony Edwards leads the class with 13.6 per game, followed by LaMelo Ball’s 12.7.
Williams is ninth in rebounding with 3.8 per game, behind the likes of James Wiseman (6.1) and Ball (5.9). And he’s seventh in minutes played amongst the rookies at 25.8 minutes per game.
