The Chicago Bulls were active at the trade deadline, making significant moves by sending Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics and Kevin Huerter to the Detroit Pistons. With these changes, the Bulls are aiming to secure a spot in the play-in tournament for the fourth straight season.
A key storyline for the Bulls has been Josh Giddey's return from a nagging hamstring injury. After some time in and out of the lineup, there's good news on the horizon. Giddey participated fully in practice and is expected to play against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, marking the team's first game post-All-Star break.
KC Johnson from the Chicago Sports Network shared this update on social media, noting that Giddey is optimistic about his return. Additionally, Johnson reported on the temporary coaching change, with Wes Unseld Jr. stepping in for Billy Donovan, who is grieving the loss of his father.
Unseld Jr. will lead the team against the Raptors, while Donovan is set to rejoin the Bulls on Friday. Unseld Jr. expressed heartfelt condolences to Donovan and his family during this difficult time.
This season has been a wild ride for the Bulls. They burst out of the gates with a 5-0 start but have since settled around the .500 mark.
Giddey remains a cornerstone for the team, showcasing his ability to flirt with triple-doubles regularly. His improved three-point shooting has also been a pleasant surprise, addressing a perceived weakness from his early career.
The Bulls are hopeful that new additions like Anfernee Simons will step up and become key contributors as they push forward. Chicago's matchup against the Raptors is set for Thursday at 8:00 pm ET, and fans will be eager to see how these roster changes begin to shape the team's future.