Kevin Huerter made his much-anticipated return to Chicago on Saturday, this time donning a Detroit Pistons jersey against his former team, the Bulls. This marked his first appearance back in Chicago after being part of a significant three-team deal involving the Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves, which also saw Jaden Ivey head to the Bulls.
Reflecting on the whirlwind of trades, Huerter opened up about the impact of the Bulls' seven trades, as reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network.
"We were sitting at .500 all year," Huerter noted. "It could’ve gone either way.
As players, you have to expect everything. But seven trades, I don’t know if I expected that."
Huerter is no stranger to mid-season moves, having experienced his second consecutive trade during the season. He shared his thoughts on the adjustment process, saying, "The transition is always tough. But coming to a team that’s No. 1 in the East and competes their ass off, it definitely makes it easier on the court."
Last season, Huerter made his way to Chicago as part of another three-way trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings. The Bulls acquired Huerter and Tre Jones from the San Antonio Spurs, along with Zach Collins from the Kings.
Currently, Huerter is averaging 10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Since joining the Pistons, he has played in four games, averaging 4.3 points per game, though he's currently sidelined with back tightness.
The Pistons boast an impressive 41-13 record, sitting atop the Eastern Conference. In contrast, the Bulls find themselves struggling with a 24-32 record and are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak.