(670 The Score) Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas likes what he has seen from coach Billy Donovan and his team in their first season in Chicago. Where that might lead next remains a mystery.
In his first media session in months, Karnisovas on Monday evening praised the team's progress but kept his approach leading up to the trade deadline on March 25 close to his vest.
"Expanding the playoffs to 10 teams and then two or three are still delusional and think they can make it to 10 – I think that kind of makes it a very interesting trade deadline," Karnisovas said. "Billy and I will spend more time talking about how we can improve this group and focus now on this group that we have that's actually playing well and had our first month winning in February (in a long time). The last couple games, they had some slipping, but I think overall, this group is doing so much better. I'm looking forward to seeing the next 40 games."
As his comments indicated, Karnisovas is well aware that it projects to be a seller's market as the trade deadline looms with the playoff bracket also expanded to 10 teams in each conference this season. The seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th seeds will play to earn their way into the final eight in each conference, where the traditional best-of-seven series begin.
Karnisovas' difficult decisions will revolve around what to do with several potential trade chips. Veteran forward Thad Young is having a spectacular season, which means his trade value is nearing its high and that he would help any championship contender. Veteran guard Tomas Satoransky could also help a playoff contender should the Bulls choose to put him on the trade market. The Bulls would be willing to trade forward Otto Porter Jr. as well, though his large contract and injury history make that really difficult.
With all that in mind, Karnisovas gave away little on the information front as his Bulls sit at 15-17, which is tied for ninth in the East – but just 1.5 games out of fourth place.
"I never look at player as trade commodities," Karnisovas said. "Right now, we're focused on winning games, because the separation between fourth and 10th place is a game-and-a-half. So this group is doing pretty well, and hopefully we can get Lauri (Markkanen) back and and see what we can do with this team. We had a pretty good month in February with a winning record, so we'll see what we can do. And when the trade deadline comes, like I said, I think now 12 or 13 are in (the playoff mix) in the East. So I just think teams are going to try to improve, and like you said, there's not going to be a lot of sellers. So I think we're just going to focus on our guys and how to get them better."
Another potential trade chip with different dynamic at play is 23-year-old big man Lauri Markkanen, whose future in Chicago is uncertain as he's on a path for restricted free agency after he and the team weren't close on an extension last December. Karnisovas had high praise for Markkanen, who has been out since Feb. 5 with a shoulder sprain. Markkanen is likely to return when the Bulls play on March 11 in their first game after the All-Star break.
"Development is the No. 1 thing with all of our players and especially with Lauri," Karnisovas said. "The things that we met before the season and set the expectations for Lauri, I think he met. Obviously before he got hurt, he was 19 (points per game) and shooting 52 percent from the floor and 40 from the three.
I think that's what he can do on a daily basis. We can't wait for him to come back and help this team win games."
For now, that remains the focus of Karnisovas and the Bulls -- win games with whomever they can trot out in a pandemic-complicated and injury-riddled season.
"If we can focus on those two things to reduce turnovers and fouling, I think we're going to be in a much better position to win games," Karnisovas said. "I think we were in 20 games this year with five minutes to go, within five points, and we are 9-11 in those 20 games. I think it's better than last year. That said, this team is still learning how to close games. So it's still in the process of learning."
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.
