Chicago Bulls Exec V.P. Arturas Karnisovas Stands Firm on No Trade Policy
The Chicago Bulls have stayed true to their word when it comes to their trade policy. They have made it clear that they will not make a trade just for the sake of it. This philosophy has been evident in their handling of Zach LaVine, who was in agreement with the team to find a new home before his season-ending foot surgery. Despite a quiet trade market for LaVine, the Bulls have now put their words into action with Andre Drummond.
According to reports, the Philadelphia 76ers believed they had a trade in place to acquire Drummond from the Bulls. However, Chicago pulled out of the talks just hours before the deadline. The Bulls were reportedly seeking three second-round picks in exchange for Drummond. This demand is comparable to the Brooklyn Nets’ recent trade of Royce O’Neale.
Drummond, who is currently in the final year of his contract, almost opted out to join the Dallas Mavericks last offseason. He has proven himself to be a valuable player, averaging 13.8 points and 17 rebounds per game in his nine starts this season. The 29-year-old center has also drawn interest from other teams, including the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets.
While the Bulls ultimately decided not to trade Drummond, they did make some moves before the deadline. The Dallas Mavericks acquired former Bulls player Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards, while the Boston Celtics acquired Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies. These trades show that the Bulls are actively exploring their options and making strategic moves to strengthen their roster.
Overall, the Bulls have demonstrated their commitment to their trade policy by not making trades simply for the sake of it. They have shown that they are willing to listen to offers and explore potential deals, but they will only make a trade if it aligns with their long-term goals and benefits the team. With the trade deadline behind them, the Bulls will now focus on the remainder of the season and continue to build a competitive roster.
The Lakers are one of the teams that Andre Drummond has played for in the past. In the 2020-21 season, he spent 21 games with them, playing alongside current Bulls guard Alex Caruso. However, during the trade deadline, the Lakers decided not to make a move for Drummond and instead signed Spencer Dinwiddie, who was previously with the Bulls.
Houston made a trade with the Grizzlies on February 2, acquiring Steven Adams. Unfortunately, Adams is out for the season due to a PCL sprain. Despite this setback, the Rockets did not pursue a trade for Drummond.
The Suns made some additions to their roster, but they focused on acquiring O’Neale and David Roddy, both of whom are not centers. This indicates that they were not interested in adding Drummond to their team.
The Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations, Arturas Karnisovas, has expressed his belief in the current group of players. The team currently has a record of 26-29 and is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games leading up to the All-Star break. It is crucial for them to finish the season strong in order to convince Drummond and DeMar DeRozan, who are both pending free agents, to return next season.
There are concerns about Drummond’s previous inconsistent role and his tendency to look for other opportunities. This could have a negative impact on the Bulls’ team dynamics.
DeRozan has stated that he wants to return to the Bulls, as long as it makes sense for both parties. The Bulls’ management has also expressed their interest in re-signing the six-time All-Star on a new contract. DeRozan is currently in the final year of his three-year, $81.9 million contract.
Josh Buckhalter is a sports reporter covering the NBA and NFL.
According to the Source heavy.com