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[Chicago Bulls]

“This is an opportunity”: Bulls hit hard by injuries as Billy Donovan calls on guards to step up

Monday turned into a rough night for Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls. The Minnesota Timberwolves overwhelmed them in a 136-101 blowout, and the losses kept piling up as the game went on. Coby White exited in the second quarter with a right calf injury and never returned, and Josh Giddey followed in the third after suffering a hamstring issue that also ended his night early.

The Bulls absorbed a multiple blows, and the fallout may not stop there. With injuries piling up, head coach Billy Donovan made it clear after the game that Chicago cannot wait around to see who gets healthy. He pointed directly to the need for others to step forward in the backcourt, stressing that certain players must fill the guard minutes and shoulder responsibility regardless of what happens with Josh Giddey or Coby White.

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is blunt about other guards stepping up regardless of the status of Coby White and Josh Giddey

“I think there’s enough there for Ayo (Dosunmu), Kevin Huerter, and Tre Jones to carry the load” ⁦@ClutchPoints⁩ pic.twitter.com/nRDNkm1Uf4

— Zachary Draves (@DravesZachary) December 30, 2025

“I’m disappointed, and I feel bad for guys when they can’t play,” said the Bulls head coach. “But this is an opportunity, can we grow from this and learned from what happened last time because we need to play better. I think I’ve said before, are the injuries impactful? Yes, but these guys are all pros, and they all want an opportunity to play.”

Billy Donovan calls on his backup guards to step-up for the Bulls​

Nov 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan directs the team during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The loss marked Chicago’s second-largest defeat of the season. The only worse result came on Nov. 21, when the Bulls fell to the Miami Heat by 36 points in a 143-107 blowout. In this one, Josh Giddey logged just 18 minutes and finished with 11 points, while Coby White lasted only seven minutes before exiting without scoring.

“We’ve got to be a whole lot better. Our guard play in particular needs to get better. I know with Coby and Josh, whatever their status may be in the future, I think there’s enough there for Ayo (Dosunmu), Kevin Huerter, and Tre Jones to carry the load.”

Oct 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) looks to pass the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Donovan did see solid production from the players he highlighted. Ayo Dosunmu led that group with 11 points while adding seven assists and six rebounds. Kevin Huerter chipped in eight points and six boards, and Jones matched Dosunmu with 11 points to go along with four assists.

The post “This is an opportunity”: Bulls hit hard by injuries as Billy Donovan calls on guards to step up appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/bulls-injuries-billy-donovan

 

[Chicago Bulls]

NCAA president clarifies eligibility, closing door on Trentyn Flowers’ college return

Over the past week, debate around NCAA eligibility has picked up after former NBA Draft pick James Nnaji was cleared to sign with Baylor, reopening questions about the rules governing players with professional experience. That development has since drawn attention to Chicago Bulls player Trentyn Flowers, with speculation growing about whether he could also pursue a path back to college basketball under the same framework.

NCAA president Charlie Baker stepped in to draw clear lines, directly outlining who can still qualify for college basketball and which routes the NCAA will not allow under its current eligibility rules.

“The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract (including a two-way contract). As schools are increasingly recruiting individuals with international league experience, the NCAA is exercising discretion in applying the actual and necessary expenses bylaw to ensure that prospective student-athletes with experience in American basketball leagues are not at a disadvantage compared to their international counterparts,” said the NCAA president via ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.

Trentyn Flowers in the NBA​

Apr 11, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Trentyn Flowers (9) before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Unlike Nnaji, Flowers has already logged real NBA minutes and built a sizable résumé in the G League. The 20-year-old put up 20.0 points and 5.1 rebounds last season with the Clippers G League affiliate, then followed that up by averaging nearly 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds during the recent G League Tip Off Tournament, underscoring just how much professional experience he already carries.

It is also worth noting that Flowers has never played a college game. Although he originally committed to Louisville and ranked among the top high school recruits in the country, he chose to play professionally in Australia instead, later going undrafted in 2024 and spending time at the NBA level. Even so, once a player enters the NBA system, they have traditionally been viewed as ineligible to return to college basketball.

Dec 7, 2022; Lincolnton, NC, USA; Forward Trentyn Flowers shoots during warms up at Combine Academy. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Recent changes to NIL policies and eligibility standards have sparked a wider debate across college basketball and college sports more broadly, raising new questions about who should and should not be allowed to compete at the collegiate level.

“While the NCAA has prevailed on the vast majority of eligibility-related lawsuits, recent outlier decisions enjoining the NCAA on a nationwide basis from enforcing rules that have been on the books for decades — without even having a trial — are wildly destabilizing,” Baker continued.

It now appears unlikely that the Bulls forward will be joining a college program anytime in the near future.

The post NCAA president clarifies eligibility, closing door on Trentyn Flowers’ college return appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/ncaa-charlie-baker-bulls-trentyn-flowers

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Bulls linked to $48 million trade involving former DPOY candidate

Remember when the Chicago Bulls got off to that 5-0 start? Yeah, that now feels like eons ago as the Bulls are just 15-17 and are widely viewed as sellers with the NBA trade deadline looming in just over a month.

Coby White is viewed as a prime trade candidate for Chicago, and Nikola Vucevic, Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter are also viewed as potential trade chips.

But could the Bulls be aiming to actually buy on any players ahead of the deadline?

Orlando Silva of Pippen Ain’t Easy thinks so, naming Portland Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams III as a possible trade target for Chicago.

“The Bulls could make a swing for a player who could walk away after the season if the fit isn’t the best. He is 28, seven years younger than Nikola Vucevic, with better rim-running and rim-protecting skills than the Montenegrin player,” Silva wrote. “Williams won’t make the Bulls championship contenders, but for a team with so many issues on defense, adding a player of his defensive caliber could go a long way.”

But would Chicago actually surrender anything of value for a player slated to hit free agency at the end of the season?

Robert Williams III would be a risky pickup for the Chicago Bulls​

Dec 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) blocks a shot from Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

There was a time when Williams was a budding stud during his days with the Boston Celtics. Back during the 2021-22 campaign, Williams finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting and was named to Second-Team All-Defense after registering 10 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks over 29.6 minutes per game.

The problem is that Williams is rarely healthy.

Over the last three seasons, the Texas A&M product has played in a grand total of 47 contests, with nearly half of them (21 to be exact) coming this year. Since entering the league in 2018, Williams has played in 60 games just once.

He signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Celtics in August 2021 but was traded to the Blazers in October 2023 in the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to Boston.

The Bulls could definitely stand to upgrade defensively, but the idea of giving up assets for the oft-injured Williams — who will likely walk in the summer — just doesn’t seem like a wise move for a rebuilding team.

The post Bulls linked to $48 million trade involving former DPOY candidate appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-bulls-linked-trade-portland-trail-blazers-robert-williams