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Chicago Bulls’ Matas Buzelis makes bold statement after 146-115 win over Lakers

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) attempts to block against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.

The prudent move might have been to try and tank for the opportunity to give their roster elite talent in the 2025 NBA Draft, but there is no question that this Chicago Bulls team is fun to watch right now.

Rookie Matas Buzelis scored a career-high 31 points in Chicago’s 31-point 146-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday in front of 18,997 fans at the crypto.com Arena. The Bulls have now won seven of their last nine games, and are two games back from the Orlando Magic for the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference.

Coby White led the Bulls with 36 points against the Lakers.

Buzelis gave Chicago a spark earlier offensively when he made a nasty move on Luka Doncic before dunking on the five-time All-Star.

Chicago Bulls rookie made a bold statement after beating Lakers​

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) gets past Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) and to the basket during the first quarter at Delta Center.

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) gets past Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) and to the basket during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Following the game, Buzelis said his goal is to become one of the all-time greats.

“I told Billy (Donovan) that I want to be pushed to the limit,” Buzelis said via CHSN’s K.C. Johnson. “I want to be the best player ever. That’s just how I think. He has done a great job holding me accountable. And I thank him. When he takes me out for a mistake, I get better”

Matas Buzelis after career-high 31 points: "I told Billy (Donovan) that I want to be pushed to the limit. I want to be the best player ever. That's just how I think. He has done a great job holding me accountable. And I thank him. When he takes me out for a mistake, I get better"

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 23, 2025

Look out Michael Jordan?

Matas Buzelis is feeling more comfortable​


Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) and guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.


Buzelis admitted after the game that it took him a few months before the NBA game started slowing down for him. Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Buzelis said going against the best players in the world like Kevin Durant and LeBron James has made him a better player.

“I think I’ve learned the most about basketball the last four or five months than I have in my total life,” Buzelis said. “Being in the NBA, playing against all these guys, now it’s just building it, making the tools sharper, everything sharper. Handles, shooting, defense, all of it. I know I’m going to be a really good player. I put the work in, the effort in every day, and I love this sport. I’ll do anything it takes to better myself.”

Buzelis and Chicago have a tough week ahead of them. The Bulls will play the Denver Nuggets, Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Oklahoma City Thunder before March 31.

Those games will test the mettle of Buzelis.

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers
Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/matas...=matas-buzelis-bold-lakers-chicago-bulls-news
 
Two Chicago Bulls players carry the team to a dominating victory over the Lakers

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

The Chicago Bulls annihilated the Los Angeles Lakers, who got LeBron James back after he had been out with a groin injury, crushing them by a score of 146-115.

With this latest win, the Bulls move to ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings and are a game-and-a-half behind the Orlando Magic for the eighth seed. With their current play, the Bulls could make the playoffs.

The Bull’s win over the Lakers came off the backs of two of their young stars, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey, who single-handedly stole the show with his historical performance.

Chicago Bulls two standout stars​

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) and guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

In the Bull’s dominant victory over the Lakers, Buzelis was the Bulls’ second-leading scorer, scoring 31.0 points on 12-18 shooting. This is the first time Matas has scored 31.0 points in his career.

“Matas Buzelis’ first 30-piece of his young career.”
Matas Buzelis' first 30-piece of his young career.

31 points | 12-18 FG | 5-10 3PT pic.twitter.com/YES5FOgH88

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 23, 2025

Giddey also added his name to the game ledger by having a historical night, where he became the first player in NBA history to have the stat line he had.

Giddey’s stat line: 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 17.0 assists, 8.0 steals

TAKE A BOW, JOSH GIDDEY

15 points
10 rebounds
17 assists
8 steals

The first player in NBA HISTORY with this stat line. pic.twitter.com/aNwzl7290f

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 23, 2025

This marked Giddey’s fourth game with a triple-double, which has him tied for second all-time in Bulls historywith Scottie Pippen and behind the great Michael Jordan, who has the most with 15, which he set in 1988-89. Giddey was close to having a quadruple-double, which hasn’t been done in the NBA since Patrick Robinson did it back in 1994 against the Detroit Pistons.

Giddey is adding to his value​

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers

NBA: Bulls at Lakers Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) looks to pass against Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

This performance by the 22-year-old Giddey is increasing his value for this summer when he’ll become a restricted free agent. The Bulls acquired Giddey before this season from the Oklahoma City Thunder, where they swapped Alex Caruso for him, and it appears the Bulls are winning the deal.

March has been Giddey’s best month so far, even though he’s played in five games, having season-highs in points (22.8) and rebounds (9.8). Post All-Star break, Giddey has shown his dominance, averaging 23.0 points, 8.3 assists, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 34.6 minutes.

Giddey is consistently putting up these numbers night in and night out and is showing why he should be extended a contract.

Further development for Buzelis​

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Buzelis’s scoring performance last night against the Lakers is yet another sign of growth to start his NBA career.

Buzelis has had an interesting season, from beginning the year playing very few minutes to finally being elevated to the starting lineup; it’s been impressive to see how well the 20-year-old has handled the pressure.

Matas is also having a great month of March. In 10 games this month, he’s averaging 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, with 0.9 blocks a game in 25.0 minutes.

Two core players to build around​

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a foul call against Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Giddey and Matas are both two of the Bull’s young stars that, in this current rebuild, should be looked at as pieces to build around.

Pairing Giddey’s ability to find the open man and Matas’s ability to score and dunk the ball could be an effective combo.

The Bulls need to start considering who they want to build this franchise around and the direction they want to head.

With two solid options in Giddey and Buzelis as their foundation, it’s a great place to start.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...=chicago-bulls-dominating-victory-over-lakers
 
Matas Buzelis earns more praise from career night vs. Los Angeles Lakers

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers

Matas Buzelis scored 31 points on highly efficient shooting to propel the Chicago Bulls to a stunning victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Coby White scored 36, extending his historic 20-point streak, in the process as well, but the star guard wanted to talk about the rookie’s breakout performance instead.

Coby White praises Matas Buzelis in huge win​

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Thanks to performances like the ones Coby White and Matas Buzelis put in on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Chicago Bulls have won seven of their last nine contests as they continue to make the case for a play-in spot in the East.

Buzelis’ star turn which included shooting 12/18 and 50% on three-point attempts helped lead the Bulls to a win in LeBron James’ highly-anticipated return to the Lakers’ lineup. Buzelis stepped up, though, and drew praise from White.

“He’s definitely taking on challenges,” White said via The Athletic. “This road trip has not been easy with everybody he’s had to guard, especially two of the greatest players of all time in guarding Kevin Durant and then having to guard LeBron James. But the one thing about Matas: I always say he’s super competitive, and he plays to win no matter what.”

As for the task of going head-to-head with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Buzelis wasn’t scared of the task at hand. “I just got excited,” Buzelis said. “I’m a competitive guy, so I’m just going to try to make it tough on him. Of course, (James is) one of the best players ever — or the best player ever. I just knew I’ve got to come in and compete.”

This came after a disappointing game the last time out, where Buzelis made some mistakes that effectively got him benched. He played less than five minutes in the second half of a comeback win over the Sacramento Kings.

White admitted that he was worried about the rookie’s mental health, but Buzelis reportedly told him he was “fine” and just happy that the Bulls got a win. “You don’t really hear that a lot from a guy his age — that mentality,” White said. “He just let it go. He was having a good time on the plane, on the bus. He wasn’t down… I know when I was his age and when I was in the NBA, I would have been down on myself just because that happened.”

The Bulls are quickly charging towards a play-in berth and a possible trip to the postseason with White and Buzelis leading the way. The future might seem a whole lot brighter in Chicago now than it once did.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/coby-...ampaign=coby-white-matas-buzelis-career-night
 
Chicago Bulls’ Coby White makes Michael Jordan history

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat

The Chicago Bulls have been on an impressive hot streak as of late. winning 7 out of their last 10 and 3 out of the last four games. This impressive run has continued with a dominating 146-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

The core trio of Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Matas Buzelis have been lighting it up during this stretch, and are keeping the team very much alive in the playoff race. The Bulls and the NBA have now announced that Coby White has won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for a second straight week

COBY WHITE: PLAYER OF THE WEEK AGAIN.

30.3 points
4.0 assists
3-1 record

Coby is the second Bulls player ever to earn East POTW in back-to-back weeks (MJ).

Coby is the first player to earn East POTW in back-to-back weeks since Joel Embiid (‘23). pic.twitter.com/AeC3n6bcbH

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 24, 2025

Coby White has won Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second straight week​

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers
Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The Bulls point guard, has averaged 30.3 points during this four-game stretch including back to back 30 point games in the victories against the Kings and Lakers. He has averaged 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds during this stretch as well.

White ranked fourth in the NBA in scoring throughout the week and also extended his 20-point scoring streak to 12 straight games.

The University of North Carolina alum will now be joining a very well-known Tar Heel in this impressive accolade.

The Bulls point guard joins Michael Jordan in this accolade​

;Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Toyota Center.

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets
Mar 15, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Announced in a press release on Monday, White now joins the legendary Michael Jordan as the only two Bulls players in franchise history to win Eastern Conference Player of the Week in consecutive weeks. White is also the first Eastern Conference player to win this award since Joel Embid in 2023.

Per Bulls PR, Coby White joins Michael Jordan as only Bulls in franchise history to win back-to-back Player of Week honors. pic.twitter.com/dPhB3DYv1b

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 24, 2025

The point guard is without a doubt in the best stretch of his six-year NBA career as he set a career-high for points scored in a half during the victory against the Kings and also now ranks third in franchise history for three-pointers made. White has averaged 20 points a game this season and is shooting .441 from the field as well.

If White can keep this incredible stretch going, along with more great performances from Giddey and Buzelis, the Bulls could end up doing some damage in the play-in tournament, and could potentially get into the NBA playoffs.

The team looks to win their third straight game Monday night against the Denver Nuggets.

Chicago Bulls

Mar 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...=chicago-bulls-coby-white-earns-another-award
 
Chicago Bulls upset win over Nuggets has star player thrilled

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Sacramento Kings

The Chicago Bulls don’t look like a fluke right now. Early on in their hot streak, the team seemed to be taking advantage of a favorable schedule. A win over the vaunted Los Angeles Lakers, in LeBron James’ return no less, seemed to suggest they were a little more legitimate. Now, a win over the Denver Nuggets has the team truly rolling

Nikola Vucevic talks Chicago Bulls form following Zach LaVine trade​

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) reacts in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Before the game, Nuggets coach Mike Malone called the Chicago Bulls the “best-running team in the league.” They proved him right with a stunning 10-point upset over Nikola Jokic and company. It was just the latest in a thrilling run of basketball following the Zach LaVine trade.

LaVine’s trade seemed to indicate that the Bulls weren’t interested in this year, but the remaining players have stepped up and dragged this team into the play-in race. They’re red-hot and very likely to be part of the play-in tournament, and it all began after that trade.

Via the Chicago Sun Tribune, Nikola Vucevic said, “I just think we kind of embraced the challenge and took pride in showing that people kind of wrote us off when Zach got traded. I think we’ve really come together as a group.”

Vucevic praised the team’s chemistry, and he said it has opened up opportunities for players to really shine. He named Josh Giddey, Coby White, Tre Jones, and Kevin Huerter, a piece of the return for LaVine, as pristine examples.

“It’s just the way it is in this league. You can’t dwell over what happens,” the center noted. “Teams make decisions, front offices, and that’s their decision. We as players, we focus on what we can do to become the best versions of ourselves.”

White has been a lot of the heavy lifting. He’s on a hot streak that so few Bulls have ever experienced, and he’s won two Player of the Week awards in the Eastern Conference as a result, but he’s not taking the credit. “Confidence is high,” White said. “Like I always say, it isn’t just me — it takes a village. Family, teammates [and] the organization continue to push me.”

White and the Chicago Bulls are now 32-40 on the year and a game and a half up on the Miami Heat for the 9th seed. They’re seven games up on the 11th-seeded Toronto Raptors, so they’re not likely to fall out of the play-in.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...ign=chicago-bulls-upset-nuggets-star-thrilled
 
Chicago Bulls star makes ‘surprise’ trade plea for summer 2025 amid hot streak

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.

The Chicago Bulls were supposed to be in tank mode after they traded away Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 5. Despite trying to shop Nikola Vucevic to the Golden State Warriors, among other teams, before the trade deadline, the Bulls ultimately decided to keep the aging center at least until the summer.

Chicago didn’t receive an offer high enough for Vucevic. Keeping him on the team meant the Bulls needed to decide between shutting him down for the season (as he dealt with a calf sprain in February and March) or letting him return to work with a young roster trying to earn a berth in the Play-In Tournament, and potentially the playoffs.

The Chicago Bulls are on fire in March​

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at PHX Aena.

Mar 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at PHX Aena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The Bulls have caught fire in recent weeks, winning eight of their last 10 outings and earning a 32-40 record, good enough for No. 9 in the Eastern Conference. They’re two games back from the Orlando Magic for the No. 8 spot and 3.5 games away from the Atlanta Hawks for No. 7.

Coby White has been the star of the show in Chicago, but Vucevic has been a big help on the boards. He scored 13 points and recorded eight rebounds and two assists in the Bulls’ 129-119 win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. At 34, he’s averaging 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season.

Nikola Vucevic doesn’t want to be traded now​

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) leaves the court after the game against the Miami Heat at United Center.

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) leaves the court after the game against the Miami Heat at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls’ resurgence in March has Vucevic rethinking his career trajectory. He’s buying into Chicago’s plan and wants to finish his contract with the Bulls instead of being traded to another playoff contender.

“One player who’s suddenly buying in — and would like to stay another season and finish out his contract — is Vucevic,” Cowley wrote. “That’s a bit surprising, especially after good friend DeMar DeRozan was traded to the Kings and Alex Caruso to the Thunder last summer, followed by the LaVine trade. All signs had pointed to Vucevic being traded by the Feb.  6 deadline, and when he wasn’t, there were concerns he’d check out.”

Vucevic likes the way the young roster is competing​

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris.

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Vucevic likes the way the current roster competes.

“Who knows what happens in the summer, but right now I’m focused on this group of guys,” Vucevic said. “I’ve really enjoyed playing with them. Guys with good character, guys that really want to win, they care. We play for each other, we compete, and that’s what you want.”

The Bulls are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, but that will likely change around the time of the Play-In Tournament when the intensity heightens up around the Association. Chicago’s optimism could fade if they don’t find the same success in April that they did in March.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...gn=chicago-bulls-news-nikola-vucevic-no-trade
 
LeBron James credits Michael Jordan for this part of his career

LeBron James

As the years go on, the Greatest of All-Time debate between Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan and current NBA legend LeBron James gets more and more interesting. Both players are two all-time greats that have left their mark on the game of basketball and will always be compared to one another.

That’s just the reality of things.

With James still playing in the NBA and racking up records, he continues to make his case for being the GOAT. However, he still respects Jordan and what he did for the game, even idolizing him when he was younger. And his recent comments on Wednesday prove that once again.

LeBron James credits Michael Jordan​

NBA: All Star Game Team Durant at Team LeBron

Team LeBron forward LeBron James greets Michael Jordan at halftime during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

During an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show” Wednesday afternoon, James sat down with the host and his crew for 90 minutes to offer a very candid interview. It was a rare interview for James where he opened up about some things in his career. That included Jordan’s impact on him.

James told McAfee that the reason he wears 23 is because of Jordan, which may have been known but the context of this shows how much he respects him as well.

“That was dope. That was dope. That’s straight respect and admiration,” James said when asked about the two being at the NBA’s Top 75 event a few years back. “Me for sure, s*** like I said, I wear 23 because of MJ. The inspiration he gave me as a kid in Akron, Ohio that don’t have much inspiration in your hometown. You look at something. Somebody in sports, somebody in music, somebody on the TV screen. . . I needed that.”

James went on to also list Will Smith in the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” show as well as musicians Jay-Z, Biggie and Tupac as inspirations as well.

What is LeBron James’ relationship with Michael Jordan?​

Michael Jordan and LeBron James

Lebron James and Michael Jordan on court during halftime during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

With so many comparing the two in the GOAT debate, it feels like the two are rivals despite the two never playing on the court together. That’s just a natural thing with these debates. They have met before and have shared the stage together as previously mentioned for the NBA’s 75th anniversary.

However, James reveals just why he doesn’t have the best relationship with Jordan and it makes perfect sense when you really think about Jordan and his competitiveness.

“Yeah, we are in a good spot. We don’t talk,” James said.

“Why not?,” McAfee fired back.

“Because I’m still playing. I’m still focused on my craft right now,” James said. “I would hope so. . . I think it’s because I’m still playing and MJ, we all know MJ. Even if you don’t know him personally, he’s one of the most ruthless competitors there is. Until I’m done, and he doesn’t have to look at me running up and down wearing the 23. And every time my name is mentioned, it’s mentioned with his, he’s like ‘I don’t want to f****** talk to you. Don’t talk to me right now. I’m on the back 9.”

The answer got a laugh out of James and the rest of the show.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/lebro..._campaign=lebron-james-credits-michael-jordan
 
Billy Donovan reveals why getting Bulls to playoffs matters so much

NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls

Billy Donovan’s Chicago Bulls are scorching hot right now. After losing DeMar DeRozan and trading away Zach LaVine, they’re not only a play-in team with ease right now, they’re one of the NBA’s hottest teams over the last few weeks. They’re pretty much locked into the play-in game, a reality that seemed out of the question earlier this year. Donovan opened up on why making it to the playoffs is so important this year.

Billy Donovan wants the Bulls to make the playoffs​

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

To make the playoffs, Chicago would need to rise to the sixth seed, which can theoretically still happen. They just need to win out and have the Detroit Pistons lose out. They’d also need to do 2.5 games better than the Orlando Magic down the stretch.

Otherwise, they’ll be relegated to the play-in tournament. If they’re the seven or eight seed, they need one win to make it to the playoffs. If they’re the nine (which they are now) or 10, they need two wins. Getting there is important to Billy Donovan.

Via Audacy, he said, “There’s something really, really powerful in players that are younger, at some point in their career, they’ve got to impact winning. Even though where we’re at right now as a team, we’re in the play-in, but we’re still kind of at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. But the reality is we have a chance to play meaningful games, and that’s going to help (rookie) Matas (Buzelis).”

Donovan has tried to instill in his young players that every game and every possession matters, but these games in which the Bulls have a chance to do something hammer that point home even better than he could.

“Those things are meaningful. That really, really plays a major factor in player development, and it also puts these guys in situations that they haven’t been in before. And I think when you take the focus off of winning, you miss a big point of what’s going to happen in the future,” the coach went on. “At some point, these guys are going to be put in a situation of where now winning becomes important. You want to make a run. And if they don’t play in these meaningful games, I think it hurts their development.”

It’s all about developing young players in Donovan’s eyes. While tanking and adding more young players might be something other teams try to do, Donovan wants to see the young players he has get valuable experience to one day become winning players.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/billy...campaign=billy-donovan-bulls-playoffs-matters
 
NBA insider reveals huge conundrum facing Coby White, Chicago Bulls

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets Coby White

Coby White is blossoming into a bona fide star in the NBA right before the Chicago Bulls’ very eyes. He’s on an outstanding tear recently, averaging 29.3 points over his past 13 games. He has also been able to play with and without the ball in his hands, an enviable, moldable trait that teams look for. He has, unfortunately, played his way into a difficult spot for the Bulls to navigate moving forward.

Coby White is in a tough spot moving forward, NBA insider says​

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at PHX Aena.

Mar 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at PHX Aena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Coby White is playing as well as anyone on the planet right now, and both he and the Chicago Bulls are red-hot. This streak is long enough and his play has been good enough that he looks like a burgeoning star. One NBA insider thinks that presents a tough problem for Chicago.

“White may not be a franchise player, but the archetype of player that he is could certainly mimic one. The fact that he’s reached this level, though, is why the Bulls find themselves in a bind,” Yahoo! Sports’ Morten Stig Jensen said.

There are ultimately three options the Bulls can pursue. They can trade him. This would spark some unrest in the fanbase, and it would result in a lower return now based on his contract status. The team getting him would get one playoff year of White instead of two had he been traded before the deadline.

The second option raised by Jensen was to let him enter unrestricted free agency. Of course, this basically means giving up on a rising star and a fan favorite because he might end up being worth more than the Bulls can realistically afford.

White has been on a rapid ascension, but is he worth maximum money from his original team? Jensen isn’t sure if the Bulls know the answer or not. This would give them a different set of problems, particularly with Josh Giddey being in a similar contractual situation. Both young players could do with an extension or a new deal somewhere, and the Bulls might have a difficult choice.

The third option is to extend him on a max contract, but there’s no telling whether or not White is or will be worth that. He finds himself in a really difficult middle ground right now. He’s clearly the Bulls’ best player and he’s slowly becoming a star in the NBA, but he hasn’t reached that level yet, and it’s nearly time to make a decision.

If White were an All-NBA-caliber guard now, the decision would be easy. He’s not, though, even if it seems like he might one day get there. The Bulls have to determine whether or not they think he can get there or if they can afford to pay him even if he doesn’t.

Jensen added in closing, “The Bulls will have to make a decision this summer on how to proceed. Because make no mistake, the sharks are circling, and rightfully so.”

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/nba-i...mpaign=nba-insider-conundrum-coby-white-bulls
 
Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey makes confident declaration before potential playoff run

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at United Center.

Josh Giddey was feeling on top of the world after his final-minute heroics in the Chicago Bulls‘ 119-117 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in front of 21,957 fans at the United Center on Thursday night.

Giddey stole a lazy inbounds pass by LeBron James with under 10 seconds remaining, allowing him to find an open Coby White to give the Bulls a lead.

Austin Reaves would immediately make a layup with 3.1 seconds remaining on the clock. Giddey would rush upcourt and heave a half-court shot over James’ arms to give Chicago their fourth win in a row.

Following the game, James said he had to tip his cap to Giddey for making the half-court shot.

Josh Giddey knew the Chicago Bulls were going to win​

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) looks to pass against Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) looks to pass against Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Per K.C. Johnson of CHSN, Giddey said he knew thought the shot would go in when it left his hands.

“As soon as it left my fingertips, it looked good,” Giddey said. “That’s kind of why I held my follow through the whole time. I had that feeling. It looked straight. It felt good. Special night. Comeback win. It was a helluva team effort. We’ll enjoy this one.”

Josh Giddey: "As soon as it left my fingertips, it looked good. That's kind of why I held my follow through the whole time. I had that feeling. It looked straight. It felt good. Special night. Comeback win. It was a helluva team effort. We'll enjoy this one."

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 28, 2025

The Bulls have now completed season sweeps of the Denver Nuggets and Lakers this week, two of the Western Conference’s top four teams. Chicago has won nine of their last 11 games. The team’s newfound winning ways have center Nikola Jokic asking not to be traded this summer.

Before the trade deadline, the Bulls were thought to be a bubble team for the No. 10 spot in the Play-In Tournament. With nine games left in the regular season, Chicago finds themselves 1.5 games back from the Orlando Magic for the No. 8 spot and two games back from the Atlanta Hawks for No. 7.

The Bulls can play with anybody​

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) and teammates during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Per Johnson, Giddey said the Bulls believe they can compete with any team in the Association.

“We’ve shown over the last month, six weeks, that we can compete with anybody,” Giddey said.

Two months ago with Zach LaVine. No.

Maybe now they can. Confidence is a dangerous thing.

The Bulls might get to test Giddey’s theory if they keep winning.

If they earn the No. 8 seed in the Play-In Tournament, Chicago would face the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Bulls finish the regular season strong and win in the Play-In Tournament, they would face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics.

The Cavs are 3-0 against the Bulls this season. Boston won the regular season series against Chicago 3-1.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at United Center.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

For More Chicago Sports:

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/josh-...gn=josh-giddey-anybody-chicago-bulls-nba-news
 
Chicago Bulls have found their footing at the right time of the season

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls had a stellar win over the Los Angeles Lakers last night edging things out by a score of 119-117 in a packed United Center.

The game was won on a buzzer-beater by the Bulls point guard Josh Giddey, who has been playing out of his mind in March.

Another player who has been playing out of his mind this month is Coby White, who has won back-to-back Player of the Week awards in the Eastern Conference.

These two along with rookie Matas Buzelis have all contributed to the Bull’s success as of late and why they’re defying expectations.

The Chicago Bulls have found their footing​

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at United Center.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Bulls have found their footing and are playing good basketball at the right time. As the season winds down, the Bulls are heading into the end of the season ninth in the Eastern Conference standings and are seven games under .500 at 33-40.

The Bulls are one of the teams vying for a spot in the play-in tournament and what seemed to be a disaster of a season has flipped on its face, and the Bulls look like a playoff team.

Since the trade deadline, the Bulls are 12-10 and have played better basketball without Zach LaVine than they did with him.

To succeed in the tournament and possibly the playoffs, the Bulls rely on their three young stars Giddey, White, and Buzelis.

The Bull’s three young stars​

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls Mar 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) and teammates during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Giddey, White, and Buzelis are all doing their part to help the Bulls finish strong this season.

Giddey has been playing the best out of the three, leading the team in steals at 1.2 a game and being the team’s point guard and has a career-high in assists with 7.0 on the season.

Giddey’s hot streak this month produced a stat line never seen in the NBA before, having 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 17.0 assists, and 8.0 blocks in the previous game against the Lakers.

TAKE A BOW, JOSH GIDDEY

15 points
10 rebounds
17 assists
8 steals

The first player in NBA HISTORY with this stat line. pic.twitter.com/aNwzl7290f

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 23, 2025

In the game against the Lakers, Giddey had his fifth triple-double on the season, scoring 24.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, and dishing out 11.0 assists in 40.0 minutes. Giddey also added 2.0 steals to his ledger.

Giddey’s performance coincides with Whites’ back-to-back Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors and Buzelis coming into his own as an NBA player.

White also got in on the scoring actions having 26.0 points of his own and adding in 9.0 assists, while Buzelis had a stat line of 12.0, 7.0, and 1.0.

The Bulls need to bottle this success​

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls Mar 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Bulls should bottle this success and rely on these three to perform well in the postseason.

Thankfully, sweeping the season series against the Lakers should give the Bulls confidence as they wind things down.

The Bulls have nine games left, with their next match coming against the Dallas Mavericks at home.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...utm_campaign=chicago-bulls-find-their-footing
 
Chicago Bulls: Anthony Davis gives warning before Saturday’s game

Dallas Mavericks forward-center Anthony Davis (3) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Wendell Carter Jr. in the first quarter at Kia Center.

The Chicago Bulls enter their matchup with the Dallas Mavericks at the United Center on Saturday as winners of four straight games. The Bulls have pulled off impressive wins against two Western Conference powers this week, completing sweeps of the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.

Led by the heroics of young talent like Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Matas Buzelis, the Bulls are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and two games back from the Atlanta Hawks for seventh place with nine games remaining in the regular season.

While a scrappy Bulls team is fighting to make the postseason, a veteran on the Mavs is trying to keep Dallas’ playoff hopes alive. Following the trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavs have been hit by a rash of troubling injuries.

Anthony Davis missed played in three quarters for Dallas on Feb. 8 before sitting for several weeks due to a left adductor strain. He returned to action on Monday. On March 3, the Mavs lost Davis’ fellow star Kyrie Irving for the season after he tore his ACL.

Despite losing Irving, the Mavs chose not to punt on the season and rest Davis this spring. Dallas enters Saturday’s contest with in 10th place in the Western Conference at 36-38. They are one game ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the final spot in the Play-In Tournament.

Anthony Davis has a warning for opponents​

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) celebrates with Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (10) after basket during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) celebrates with Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (10) after basket during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

In an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Davis gave a warning to Dallas’ opponents for the remainder of the regular season, saying his goal is to compete to make the Play-In Tournament.

“We were playing with six, seven, eight guys who were coming in after playing a game 40, 42 minutes drained, tired, having to play back-to-backs, having to come in and still [weight] lift and get their shots [up]. That was a motivator for me,” Davis said of why he returned to action in the regular season. “I knew I was going [to come back] just because of the amount of games we had left. And not even that, just the position we were in, too.

“We are half a game behind Phoenix. But we got a chance. [Eight] games left. We are trying to try to make a push to get into these playoffs and just take it from there.”

The Chicago Bulls need to be on guard​

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at United Center.

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three-point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at United Center.

A week ago, the Mavs appeared to be a gimmie game for a suddenly hot Bulls team. Chicago will face a tough challenge against a Dallas team that has a star power forward on the court.

Davis played in 29 minutes against the Orlando Magic on Thursday, scoring 15 points and recording seven rebounds and two assists. He put up 12 points, three assists, and six rebounds in 27 minutes during his return against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.

While those stats are down from his season average of 25.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, he should be more dangerous against the Bulls as he ramps up in the Mavs’ quest to make the playoffs.

The Mavericks won their first game against the Bulls this season 119-99 in Dallas on Nov. 6.

The rosters have changed since that meeting as Zach LaVine was in Chicago and Davis was in Los Angeles for that matchup. Davis, a native of Chicago, will play the Bulls for the first time in a Mavs uniform.

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/antho...anthony-davis-warning-mavs-chicago-bulls-news
 
Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan has harsh message for team after 120-119 loss to Mavs

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.

The Chicago Bulls appeared to still be hungover on Saturday night from their miraculous buzzer-beating win over the Los Angeles Lakers two nights earlier. The Bulls let down their guard against a shorthanded Dallas Mavericks team in a 120-119 loss in front of 21,045 fans at the United Center.

The Bulls entered their contest against the Mavs with a four-game winning streak. Chicago had earned that winning streak by playing aggressive and smart. On Saturday night, the Bulls struggled with defense and turnovers against Dallas, turning over the ball 19 times to the Mavs’ six turnovers.

The Chicago Bulls didn’t have that “pop”​

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors Jan 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan on the sideline during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Following the game, head coach Billy Donovan told reporters that he thought the turnovers hurt the Bulls’ chances of winning. He thought the team didn’t have the “pop” they showed in previous contests during the winning streak.

“I didn’t think we kind of had it tonight, to be quite honest, the pop that was there (before),” Donovan said via Cody Westerlund of 670 The Score. “I thought our guys were trying, but like to me, the carelessness with the turnovers, I thought that really impacted the game.

“I thought we got too deep into the lane. I thought we could’ve generated and manufactured better shots. I didn’t think it was a lack of effort there. It was just a game that was a struggle for us.”

Billy Donovan was worried before the game​

NBA: Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan talks with guard Coby White (0) against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Donovan hinted before the game that he was worried about the “pop” his young roster would have against the Mavs after defeating the Lakers in dramatic fashion on Thursday night.

“They’ve got to be able to handle the emotion,” Donovan said. “That’s another part, I think, of the growth that we’ve got to make as a team. Because if at some point you do want to get to the playoffs, sometimes those playoff games can be really, really emotional from one game to the next and you’ve got to be able to flush those games and be able to refocus and raise your energy level and not have it zapped.

“Sometimes you can have heartbreaking losses or really, really emotional wins. It’s about how you come back off of that. We need to put that behind us and be able to move forward.”

A harsh lesson indeed.

The Bulls weren’t able to put that win behind them, and it cost them a chance to improve their seeding for the Play-In Tournament. At 33-41, Chicago is tied for the No. 9 spot in the Eastern Conference with the Miami Heat.

The Bulls need to learn how to move on from the highs of winning a close game against a playoff-caliber team if they ever want to make a deep playoff run themselves.

If this roster isn’t capable of sustaining consistent successes against playoff-caliber teams, they’re wasting the fans’ time and the ownership’s money on more mediocre Play-In Tournament games.

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

For More Chicago Sports:

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/donov...=donovan-message-loss-mavs-chicago-bulls-news
 
Chicago Bulls respond to playoff circumstances changing after humbling loss to Mavs

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan reacts to a call during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.

The Chicago Bulls learned a tough lesson in their 120-119 loss to the Dallas Mavericks at the United Center on Saturday night. The team needed to keep their focus on the Mavs instead of riding the high of their miraculous comeback over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

Chicago’s loss to Dallas was costly for their playoff hopes. The Bulls had an opponent to pull within 1.5 games of the Orlando Magic for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference. Instead, Chicago is tied with the Miami Heat for the No. 9 spot in the East.

The difference between the No. 7 seed and No. 10 seed in the Play-In Tournament is huge.

The No. 7 seed has a home game and needs only one win to advance to the playoffs. The No. 10 seed needs to win two games on the road to make the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.

Matas Buzelis: Chicago’s Bulls taking this one game at a time​

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) attempts to block against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) attempts to block against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Following the loss on Saturday night, rookie Matas Buzelis told reporters the Bulls aren’t worried about where they will ultimately be seeded for the Play-In Tournament. The team is focused on one game at a time.

We’re just (taking it) one step at a time,” Buzelis said via Shakeia Taylor of The Athletic. “We’ve got OKC next, so that’s what we’re focused on. We were focused on Dallas before the game. We’re not looking into the future. We’re in the moment.”

On Monday night, the Bulls will play on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder own the association’s best record at 62-12. Following that contest, Chicago has seven regular season games in April to complete, only the Cleveland Cavaliers have a record above .500.

The Bulls have a good chance to win six of their eight games remaining and earn a No. 7-8 seed for the Play-In Tournament. To do so, Chicago needs to put Saturday’s humbling loss to a shorthanded Mavs team behind them.

Billy Donovan: Bills cannot get too emotional​

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said the team can’t get too emotional after wins or losses as they finish the regular season.

“I would think that from Atlanta to ourselves to Orlando to Miami, every single game you’re jockeying there. We’re all kind of bunched up together,” Donovan said. “Miami was a game behind us. We were maybe a game behind Atlanta. Everybody’s bunched up and all of these games are like that.

“We’ve tried to treat it like that. There’s emotions that go either way. And if you win a game or lose a game, you’ve got to be able to pick yourself back up.”

This is where veteran center Nikola Vucevic needs to be a leader in the locker room.

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) leaves the court after the game against the Miami Heat at United Center.

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) leaves the court after the game against the Miami Heat at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/bezel...=bezelis-donovan-loss-mavs-chicago-bulls-news
 
Chicago Bulls have $70 million choice (gamble) on Josh Giddey, Coby White: Report

hicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers

The Chicago Bulls are enjoying a hot streak led by Coby White and Josh Giddey entering their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.

White has earned back-to-back Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards this March, a feat that only Michael Jordan had done previously in a Bulls uniform. Giddey hit a buzzer-beater from half-court in front of LeBron James’ face on Thursday night.

Chicago has won nine of their last 11 games, and they’re within two games of the Atlanta Hawks for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference with nine games left in the regular season.

Before the trade deadline, the Bulls roster looked hopeless. Led by Zach LaVine, Chicago didn’t look like they’d have trouble even making the Play-In Tournament.

Led by Giddey and White, the Bulls have new life. They also might be giving false hope about what the team can accomplish in the future.

A $70 million decision that will be another gamble​

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) and teammates during the second half at United Center

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls Mar 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) and teammates during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times suggested that White and Giddey could command a combined $70 million per year after their emergence to the NBA spotlight this spring.

“If the Bulls allow him (Giddey) to test the open market — because he is restricted, they can then match any offer — $28 million to $30 million per year now looks realistic,” Cowley wrote. “The Bulls could gamble that he won’t get much of an offer because there aren’t many teams that can afford him and fit that profile, but then they’ll have an unhappy player on their hands.

“As far as White, like Giddey, he has taken a huge jump, especially in the last month. He’s averaging 29.5 points in March, winning Eastern Conference Player of the Week in consecutive weeks. If this is the new norm for White, 25, pencil him in for at least $40 million per year by the start of the 2026 season.

“There’s the rub. The Bulls could be paying more than $70 million for a starting backcourt without an All-Star nod. It’s a recipe for continued mediocrity.”

Will White and Giddey continue to be successful?​

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) looks to pass against Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) looks to pass against Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

In fairness, White would make the All-Star team if he continues to play at this level. However, one understands Cowley’s point.

There’s no assurance that Giddey or White will play at an elite level consistently after signing a new contract. Chicago saw that firsthand when they foolishly gave LaVine a supermax extension.

Even if Matas Buzelis develops into a star power, the Bulls might not have enough firepower to be a threat to win the NBA Finals in the next few seasons.

It’s a calculated gamble the front office made when they wanted to see how far their young core could go this spring. They’re exceeding expectations for a Play-In bubble team.

Will they ever be more than that?

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Bulls guard Coby White (0) points with Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/70-mi...ampaign=70-million-giddey-white-chicago-bulls
 
Josh Giddey opens up on returning home as visitor against OKC

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets

For the first time in his NBA career, Josh Giddey will play in Paycom Center as a member of another team than the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Chicago Bulls, who have been red hot thanks in no small part to Giddey’s excellence, are coming into town trying to once again knock off a top team. Giddey will be important to that, and he’s excited to experience the arena from a whole new perspective tonight.

Josh Giddey excited to return to OKC​

Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

Josh Giddey reacts to a call during a Chicago Bulls game.
Credit: Getty Images

For the first three seasons of his career, Josh Giddey played for the Oklahoma City Thunder. It wasn’t until last offseason that that changed. The Thunder wanted to go a different direction, so they swapped Giddey for Alex Caruso from the Bulls.

Tonight marks the first time seeing Oklahoma City since the third game of the season, and it’s the first time Giddey is visiting his old arena. He is excited about the opportunity, saying, “It was a bit of a strange feeling, but this is somewhere I’m very happy to be. I loved it here, loved my time here. I’m very grateful for everything these guys did for me, so very excited to be back here and play.”

He continued, “It’s going to be different obviously being the opposing, fans not cheering for me this time as a Thunder player, but I’m excited. I know how great this environment is to play in, so I’m excited to see what it’s like as a visiting team.”

Giddey was recently injured, and he only made it back a few games ago. He returned just in time to play and be in good form for his rematch against his old team. It’s not the first time he can take revenge, but he and the Bulls failed to do so in October.

Giddey is coming off a wonderful stretch of play, last game against the Dallas Mavericks notwithstanding. Even counting that, he’s averaging 20.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 2.3 stocks (steals and blocks). He’s also shooting 50% from the floor and 37.8% from three. He was questionable but is set to play against the Thunder.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/josh-...campaign=josh-giddey-on-returning-visitor-okc
 
Chicago Bulls could pursue 2019 first round pick on the open market

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are playing an exciting brand of basketball right now, and the entire league is on full notice. The ending to last Thursday’s game at home against the Lakers felt like something out of a movie, and the team gave the crowd at the United Center memories that they will never forget. Their four-game winning streak came to an end against the Mavericks on Saturday, and they are currently tied for ninth place in the Eastern Conference entering play on Monday night.

The last month has been fun to watch, but many believe that the Bulls are hurting themselves in the long run because of this stretch. Losing out on the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes is not great, and even though this is a solid draft class of prospects this summer, a top-five pick would be preferred so Chicago could snag another big piece to the puzzle in this rebuild.

A former first-round draft pick was placed on waivers last week, and he is still on the open market. The Bulls could always look for players to add to the current roster with upside, with depth always being important as well.

The Chicago Bulls could pursue Cam Reddish​

Chicago Bulls

Dec 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Cam Reddish (5) dunks the ball in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Lakers waived Cam Reddish last week to make a roster spot for Jordan Goodwin ahead of the playoffs in a few weeks. Los Angeles was the fourth team that Reddish had been a part of since being drafted with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 draft by the Atlanta Hawks.

Reddish had spent parts of the last two seasons with the Lakers and played in 33 games this year. The 25-year-old averaged just 3.2 points per game this season to go with his 2.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists per contest on 40.4% shooting from the field.

Injuries have derailed Reddish’s career, as the most games he has ever played in a season came in his rookie campaign with the Hawks, where he saw action in 58 contests. The wing had plenty of potential coming out of Duke but has failed to live up to expectations six years into his professional career.

While his lack of production and injury history isn’t great for any team, there is no saying that a younger organization like the Bulls couldn’t at least take a flyer on a guy like Reddish. There is no harm in bringing him in for the rest of the season as a low-risk, high-reward type of player.

Cam Reddish might not totally fit what the Chicago Bulls are building​

Chicago Bulls

Nov 8, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Cam Reddish (5) looks to pass against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Reddish has had issues with teams in his career due to lack of playing time, and if the Bulls don’t have a role in mind for him, things could get rough quickly. With how well the team is playing right now, the last thing they need is any distractions in the locker room from a player who wasn’t with them from the beginning.

The forward’s career numbers of 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game on 39.8% shooting might not excite the Bulls’ front office to make a move on the open market this late in the season. However, any time a former promising first round pick is available, it’s always worth considering.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...mpaign=chicago-bulls-could-pursue-cam-reddish
 
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