Bulls’ Artūras Karnišovas takes 1st step in offseason changes

Bulls’ Artūras Karnišovas takes 1st step in offseason changes originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich

Artūras Karnišovas promised change this offseason after admitting in mid-April following the Chicago Bulls’ second straight non-playoff season that “this group hasn’t worked.”

And when you trade a player in Alex Caruso as crucial to the culture that Karnišovas said he wanted to build in Chicago, it means Karnišovas is serious about enacting change.

The question, of course, is what’s next? Do the Bulls view cashing in their two-time All-Defensive team floorburn leader who significantly improved his 3-point shot for a potentially dynamic floor leader who is nine years younger as the lone move to keep the Bulls competitive?

Or are more moves and a more significant facelift coming? League sources reiterated that the Bulls remain active on several trade fronts centered on Zach LaVine, including with the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers. Does this take-a-step-back move make DeMar DeRozan consider unrestricted free agency more strongly?

As a standalone transaction this offseason, this move isn’t a great one at first glance. If other moves are made, perhaps it can be viewed in fuller context. This is Karnišovas’ first transaction involving players changing teams since August 2021.

At the very least, three things are clear: By adding Giddey, the Bulls aren’t fully sold on a Lonzo Ball comeback. Peter Patton, the notorious shooting coach who serves as the Bulls’ director of player development, has an important project on his hands with Giddey, a career 31 percent 3-point shooter whom the Dallas Mavericks largely left unguarded in their second-round victory over the Thunder.

And, man, are Bulls fans going to miss Caruso—and rightfully so.

Caruso returns to the franchise that gave him his first shot as an undrafted free agent with the Oklahoma City Blue of the G League, coached then by current Thunder coach and reigning NBA Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault. He gets to play for a championship.

Giddey, who turns 22 in October, comes to Chicago to…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bulls-art-ras-karni-ovas-233202961.html

Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2024-06-20 23:32:02

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.