The Chicago Bulls sat out one of many busiest commerce deadlines in NBA historical past — however they reportedly might get into the motion late with a bid for Russell Westbrook on the buyout market.
In a Friday phase on NBA Today, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski named the Bulls as a “front-runner” to land Russell Westbrook if the Utah Jazz elect to purchase out the veteran level guard’s contract after a commerce from the Los Angeles Lakers.
“If he gets into the buyout market, there is significant interest in Westbrook,” Wojnarowski mentioned. “One team that you’ve got to watch and I think will be a front-runner is the Chicago Bulls. … Certainly you could see how he fits, just bringing some energy and some fire to that team’s bench.”
Executive vice chairman of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas on Thursday mentioned the Bulls would “take a look” on the buyout market as soon as the mud settled from the commerce deadline.
Wojnarowski added that Westbrook might wait till after the All-Star break to make his resolution. At that time, the Bulls will solely have 23 video games left within the common season. Would or not it’s price it to shake issues up and usher in Westbrook for that in need of a tenure?
Westbrook, 34, is a nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA choice and the 2016-17 NBA MVP with a powerful connection to teach Billy Donovan, who coached him in Oklahoma City alongside a number of assistants, together with Mo Cheeks. Westbrook averaged 15.9 factors and seven.5 assists coming off the bench for the Lakers this season, a major offensive bump in contrast with any reserve guard on the Bulls roster.
But the match is shaky at greatest for a Bulls crew nonetheless struggling to achieve .500. They misplaced to the Cleveland Cavaliers 97-89 on Saturday evening, capping a winless three-game journey and falling to tenth within the Eastern Conference at 26-30. Westbrook is a 29.6% 3-point shooter who doesn’t supply an answer for the Bulls’ points behind the arc.
It’s unclear whether or not Westbrook would begin or come off the bench, however both manner his potential acquisition would power the Bulls to displace one among their guards — Ayo Dosunmu from the beginning group or Goran Dragić from the secondary rotation.
Dosunmu has been a dependable interim choice at place to begin guard since his rookie season, when he changed the injured Lonzo Ball. Dragić began the season with a scorching hand from 3-point vary and continues to handle level guard duties for the secondary rotation even now that his capturing has cooled off. Neither participant is ideal, however disrupting these lineups — particularly for a crew that has preached “continuity” into exhaustion for 2 seasons — for a participant who can’t straight contribute on the 3-point line or on protection could possibly be a mistake.
Another potential touchdown level for Westbrook can be the Los Angeles Clippers. Not solely might he stay in LA, he might leap into the beginning lineup instantly. Paul George and Marcus Morris overtly campaigned for Westbrook to affix them with the Clippers, which probably displays teamwide enthusiasm for the potential addition.
With every week left till the All-Star break, it will probably be a ready recreation for Bulls followers as Westbrook weighs his choices — if he and the Jazz conform to a buyout.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com