Author: Monojit Mandal
Every year, the city of Chicago becomes a hotbed of NBA activity when the draft lottery decides the order of the draft and talents are examined at the combine. In addition to these formal events, however, a different kind of action takes place in hotel lobbies and stadium corridors. It’s there that league executives, agents and the media gather to take part in the league gossip that dominates conversations.
The Chicago Bulls were at the center of a controversy this week. Like the nervous fans, the league authorities wondered what the Bulls would do, if anything, to overcome their normality. Opinions ranged from dramatic possibilities like engaging in a trade talk with the Portland-Trail-Blazers for #3 and Zach LaVine to small issues like the future of Patrick Williams when he becomes available for a contract extension next off-season.
Normally, solid answers are released during draft week, which is scheduled for June 22 this year and usually coincides with the final deadline for negotiations. Artras Karniovas, the Bulls’ decision-maker, has said unequivocally that the team will not be completely overhauled. That statement generated headlines after the Bulls’ play-in loss to Miami-Heat, but Karniovas said something else that went unnoticed.
To be clear, Bulls management is open to a variety of options, including keeping their key players, improving their shooting and stabilizing the point guard position with salary cap exceptions. Despite the fact that they still don’t have a pick, the Bulls are continuing their pre-draft preparations by interviewing potential lottery candidates at the combine, demonstrating their determination to pursue all options.
The Bulls’ objectives have been widely speculated as a result of their transparency. A previous three-team deal with Lauri Markkanen, Larry Nance and Derrick Jones Jr. solidified the team’s ties with the Trail Blazers. The deal included a lottery-protected first-round pick that belonged to the Trail Blazers, sparking speculation before draft day. In addition, the Trail Blazers have a first-round pick obtained from the New York Knicks in a deal for Josh-Hart, who is currently ranked 23rd.