Rumors

Joel Lorenzi: Asked if there’s a chance Zach Collins could be ruled out for the year with his lingering toe issue, Billy Donovan says “that could happen.” Notes the ramp-up period once he removes the boot, and that the two weeks after his boot is removed will be pivotal in that decision.

x.com

Multiple sources indicated to The Athletic that the Bulls have signaled to teams that they’re available as a hub to facilitate money for apron and tax-paying teams, which they helped Cleveland do in this deal. All signs point to the Bulls leaning toward developing their young core. Chicago doesn’t seem likely to lean as far back as a tank/rebuild — a) ownership still dictates direction, and  b) history shows head coach Billy Donovan is far too competitive to stomach anything resembling a rebuild — but it has emerged as a team much more focused on acquiring young players and assets than in prior seasons.

New York Times

Joel Lorenzi: Billy Donovan to reporters in Miami on Dario Saric: “I’ve heard nothing but great things. I’ve always loved his IQ, his feel for the game. He hasn’t been in the rotation a whole lot this year, but a veteran guy that’s been around. … in terms of getting him caught up to speed in terms of what we do, I’d imagine it’d be pretty simple for him.”

x.com

KC Johnson: Josh Giddey came out of return game in good shape, per Donovan. Likely will be on roughly 24-26 minute restriction again vs. Boston and sounds like that will be from reserve role again, at least for near future. Tre Jones has hamstring tightness, per Donovan.

x.com

Zachary Draves: Billy Donovan celebrates Nikola Vucevic’s work ethic following the Bulls 126-124 win over the Jazz in which Vooch hit the game winning shot.

Twitter

Will Gottlieb: Injury updates from Billy Donovan: Giddey is back on the court but hasn’t gone into full ramp up mode. No setbacks, but also no timeline Collins has gotten multiple opinions on his toe, is having an in person consultation on Wednesday. Still in a boot. Sounds like he will not need a procedure

x.com

K.C. Johnson: Donovan revealed for first time that the medical condition that sidelined Yuki Kawamura was a blood clot in lower right leg. Kawamura stayed in Chicago to rehab and re-signed on 2-way as soon as he was cleared

x.com

Joel Lorenzi: Asked about what happened down the stretch to Bulls, down five at half, Billy Donovan acknowledged losses of Giddey and White before saying: “I think there’s enough there with Ayo (Dosunmu), Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter to carry the load. We’ve gotta be better.”

x.com

On Monday, Donovan expressed his thoughts before the Bulls' showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves when asked by Sam Smith of NBA.com. “I do think it's a factor,” Donovan said. “One is that the more possessions there are, the more opportunities for collision, and when you consider contact injuries and certainly the number of minutes and the pace and speed of the game, probably led to some soft tissue issues. So I think that's a fair statement.”

Clutch Points

Joel Lorenzi: Billy Donovan, asked about his stance on tanking in light of NBA’s potential adjustments to negate it, plainly said of tanking: “All you’re doing is taking a chance that (odds of drafting a player like Wemby, Flagg) may happen.” Talking about the habit building involved with tanking, Donovan referenced Matas Buzelis: “I would sit here and say that letting a guy play through every single mistake is not the best way that’s gonna lead to his development. … Matas is a perfect example of that.”

x.com

Joel Lorenzi: Billy Donovan, asked if Patrick Williams’ spot as 11th man in Cleveland might be a consistent thing, says that he doesn’t want to make anything concrete now that the team is at full strength but “at some point, there’s gonna be a level of sacrifice by everybody.” Says testing three-big rotation is gonna “bleed into” some things.

x.com

KC Johnson: Billy Donovan said Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter won’t travel to Charlotte. Isaac Okoro and Jalen Smith practiced and medical will determine if they can play Friday, per Donovan. If they do, he said they’ll be on minutes restrictions

x.com

KC Johnson: Billy Donovan had impassioned defense of Nikola Vucevic today: "I do think he's invested and committed." Said Vucevic unsolicited asked to meet with Donovan after recent loss "to talk about how he can help the group or how he sees areas of improvement for our team."

x.com

Joel Lorenzi: Billy Donovan went long today: “People wanna sit there and say, ‘Well, you lost to New Orleans. They got a bad a record.’ Indiana, bad record. I don’t think we’re any different from those teams. We’re not just gifted to walk in there (and) if we show up, we’ll win games. … I do not view it that way at all when I watch tape.”

x.com