Kevin Huerter feels at home in Chicago after coming to the Bulls in a February trade and he’s hoping for a long-term future with the team, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. That’s not a sure thing because Huerter has an $18MM expiring contract and is headed for free agency. Cowley points out that the team will have at least six free agents next summer, so major changes could be coming to the roster.
Huerter has been a valuable contributor as the Bulls have gotten off to a surprising 6-2 start. After starting 16 of the 26 games after the trade last season, he’s settled into a full-time bench role and is averaging 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 24.8 minutes per night while leading the team in plus-minus rating.
‘‘I love the way we play here,” Huerter said. “It’s a fun brand and good energy to be a part of, and I feel like I’ll have a piece in that success and I’ll have a piece in the failure if it goes that way at this point.’’
Cowley notes that it wasn’t certain Huerter would have a future at all in Chicago when the trade was announced. Because it was completed nearly a week before the deadline, Huerter, Tre Jones and Zach Collins were held out of games and practices in case another trade opportunity materialized.
‘‘I think for me, that little holding period last year, that was as much about figuring out what the organization is looking to do here,’’ Huerter added. ‘‘For me, I’m 27. I feel like I’m right at the start of my prime, so I feel like I have a lot of good years and my best are ahead of me. So it was more about making sure the fit was right. We always really liked the fit. I had heard really good things about Billy (Donovan) as far as him being the head coach, and it’s obviously been great since I got here.’’
There’s more on the Bulls:
- Donovan discussed Matas Buzelis‘ progress as a defender in his second NBA season after Friday’s loss at Milwaukee, Cowley states in a separate story. Buzelis’ night included several matchups with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who torched Chicago’s defense in general on the way to 41 points. Donovan was glad to see that Buzelis didn’t back down from the challenge, even when Antetokounmpo got the best of him. ‘‘There’s been moments where he has a lot to learn, so to speak,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘I think the defensive assignments, when he gets his length and keeps himself between his man and the basket, he’s been good. I think the consistency of that is something he’s working through. Where he was a year ago today to where he is now is night and day. My hope is with the way he works and that mentality, that growth will continue.’’
- In a session with reporters before tonight’s contest, Donovan said Collins will undergo a CT scan this week that should be “pretty telling,” relays Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic (Twitter link). The veteran big man hasn’t played yet this season after having surgery for a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist in mid-October. Donovan said Collins has resumed working out, but he’s still not passing or catching with his left hand.
- Ayo Dosunmu, who returned Friday after missing two games with a quad contusion, was placed on a 24-minute restriction to allow him to play both nights of the back-to-back, per KC Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). Donovan indicated that the restriction will likely be dropped after tonight.