Bulls are quiet as NBA trade deadline comes and goes
CHICAGO (CBS) -- After finally flipping the switch on a rebuild, the Bulls front office reverted to remain quiet at the NBA trade deadline Thursday afternoon.
Bulls executive vice president of basketball operation Artūras Karnišovas' only trade before the deadline ended up being the deal that sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings. In terms of draft capital, that deal only got the Bulls control of their own first-round pick.
This does not exactly represent committing to a full rebuild.
"Changes needed to be made, and we're taking the opportunity to learn, pivot, and take necessary steps to reshape our team. These moves help us be more in control of our future," Karnišovas said. "I know fans want a specific plan, and we're charting that path now. We're not done yet. We're in a transitional phase, and there's more to come."
Karnišovas made it clear the Bulls are not OK being "stuck in the middle," as he put it. But he then still said he wants to see the current group make a playoff or play-in push.
"The next 30 games, we're going to be out of the play-in, out of the playoffs, we'll get good pick. But at the same time, if we, with this young team, can make the play-in and playoffs, I think it's going to be an accomplishment."
Karnišovas was asked if making the play-in is worth the trade-off of not having a shot a higher draft pick. He replied, "That's worth it for me."
The Bulls did agree on a two-year, $20 million extension with Lonzo Ball.
The Bulls host the Golden State Warriors, who just acquired Jimmy Butler, on Saturday.
