Bulls weigh options on White while eyeing roster built around Giddey, Buzelis and Essengue
SLUG: bulls-trade-deadline-white-dosunmu-essengue-giddey
The Chicago Bulls have intensified trade discussions ahead of Thursday’s deadline, armed with two future second-round picks acquired for assisting Sunday’s Cavaliers-Kings deal, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas remains “very aggressive” on the phones, sources tell the paper. His primary task is finding a destination for guard Coby White, who is poised to seek a sizable raise in free agency this summer. While Karnišovas has talked to Minnesota and Houston about White, greater interest has surfaced in incoming free agents Ayo Dosunmu and Tre Jones, whose smaller contracts are considered easier to absorb. Jones is in the first season of a three-year, $24 million extension.
Karnišovas has also contacted New Orleans about Zion Williamson or rookie center Yves Missi and has reached out to Indiana regarding guard Bennedict Mathurin, the Sun-Times reports.
Bulls’ long-term core
The Athletic adds that Chicago’s front office is intent on centering the roster around guard Josh Giddey, rookie forward Matas Buzelis and last year’s No. 12 pick, Noa Essengue. Essengue appeared in only two games before a season-ending shoulder injury, yet team officials still project him as a multipositional defender and fast-break threat, penciling him in as the eventual starter at power forward with Buzelis shifting to the wing.
Missi is viewed internally as a potential trade target who could give Giddey the rim-running center he has never played alongside. The Bulls have told rival clubs they are willing to facilitate additional deals in exchange for draft capital.
Terry’s uncertain role
Fourth-year swingman Dalen Terry, who did not receive a rookie-scale extension in October, has yet to secure a rotation spot. Asked if he wants to be moved before the deadline, Terry replied, “I wouldn’t say that… You get traded, you get traded. Hopefully it’s to a good place if you do, or hopefully if you don’t, they make a trade and a good player comes in.”
Giddey nearing return
Giddey missed his third consecutive game Sunday because of left hamstring injury management. Head coach Billy Donovan said the guard is improving, but the medical staff will not clear him until the tightness subsides completely.
Source: Hoops Rumors
