Let’s check a few out before practice starts Tuesday.
After two injury-riddled and subpar seasons from Kris Dunn, the Bulls set out and accomplished their goal of adding point guard depth in the offseason. They did so by drafting Coby White seventh overall and acquiring Tomas Satoransky in a sign-and-trade from the Wizards.
So how did Dunn feel about it? Well, he saw it coming.
“They told me in the exit meetings those things were going to happen,” Dunn said in reference to last April. “It’s part of the business. You can’t be a professional if you can’t take on those kinds of things. I’ve been really good. They allowed me to go home a little bit to be around my family, my son, my friends. Just work my butt off, be a good teammate, try to do anything I can to help this team win.”
Dunn has been available in trade talks, though the wing-needy Bulls haven’t found a deal to their liking or a foe that desires Dunn enough. Dunn pushed back at the idea that he wanted out of Chicago.
“Nah,” he said. “I always wanted to be in a Bulls uniform. I appreciate the Bulls for giving me the opportunity to be in this uniform. It’s a business. As long as I’m here, I’m going to work my butt off and try to be the best teammate I can be. Try to help this team win games. That’s the biggest thing.”
Bulls teammates raved about Dunn’s performance in September workouts, and Boylen indicated that training camp will feature a point guard competition. Satoransky is the favorite to earn that starting spot, given Dunn’s past struggles when paired with Zach LaVine.
Whatever role he lands, Dunn insists he’ll be ready for it.
“It’s coach’s choice,” Dunn said. “And I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team win. Whatever the team needs me to do, I’m here for it.”
Dealing with injuries has become the norm for the Bulls, and it’s no different as they open training camp Tuesday.
Second-year forward Chandler Hutchison is “going to be out for a little bit,” executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson said. Hutchison is dealing with a left hamstring strain that he suffered in early September. While Paxson didn’t define “a little bit,” it’s expected that Hutchison won’t be up to full speed for a couple weeks.
Big man Luke Kornet, whom the Bulls signed in the offseason, is dealing with turf toe. He’s expected to be sidelined and/or limited for the first week of camp.
In better news, center Wendell Carter Jr. and wing Denzel Valentine are “ready to go,” Paxson said. Carter had surgery to repair a core muscle injury in July, while Valentine missed all of the 2018-19 season after undergoing ankle reconstruction surgery.
Additionally, third-year big man Lauri Markkanen proclaimed himself “good to go” without any concerns moving forward when asked about his health scare late last March, when he experienced a rapid heart rate and was shut down for the final two weeks of the season.
LaVine eyes slam dunk contest return
Chicago will host the All-Star Game in February for the first time since 1988. Beyond having the personal goal of being named an All-Star, LaVine admitted he’s open to the idea of competing in the Slam Dunk Contest, which he won in 2015 and 2016, his first two years in the league.
“It’s in the back of my mind,” LaVine said. “I’ve had that stage to where I played on Saturday. Obviously, I want to play on Sunday. (Lauri Markkanen and I) both want to play on Sunday. If my legs are at the right way, I feel like maybe I’ll do it.”
The Bulls had more in mind than just power forward Thaddeus Young’s career averages of 15.7 points and 7.0 rebounds when they signed him to a three-year deal just minutes into free agency in July.
They also envisioned the 31-year-old Young, entering his 13th NBA season, having a strong voice in the locker room. From the sounds of it, he has early on in his Bulls tenure.
“I don’t think I can be as vocal as Thad in the locker room, but I can lead by example,” Satoransky said with a chuckle.
“I’ve had only like three or four practices, but I already felt that leadership that he brings to this team. A lot of young guys will listen to him.”
Young has backed up his words with his actions, point guard Ryan Arcidiacono said.
“He’s been a great voice for us,” Arcidiacono said. “He’s really leading by example, taking charges, diving on loose balls in September before training camp. The younger guys see that. He’s definitely setting the lead and setting the tone for how this season and how this team is going to play throughout the year.”
In an effort to promote competition, the Bulls conducted a handful of one-on-one tournaments during September workouts. The Bulls even went so far as to order a WWE-style championship belt for the winner to showcase.
Not surprisingly, Zach LaVine was the leader in individual wins throughout the month, but he didn’t have his way every tournament.
Arcidiacono was among the winners. He declined to reveal whom he defeated in his championship game but was happy to recall some other details.
“I was a 12 seed,” Arcidiacono said. “Seeded lower than I thought, you know what I mean? Even though they were pulled out of a hat. But it was good stuff and a lot of fun. You get to see how competitive these dudes are.
“The winning shot was a top-of-the-key jab jumper in said person’s grill.”