Rumors

The Bulls once again will look to move Vucevic, making room for Zach Collins as the temporary starter or drafting a young rim protector. Vucevic does have an expiring deal, but, in all likelihood, he could be moved more easily at the February trade deadline.

Chicago Sun-Times

It wasn’t a conversation that lasted very long, and it took even less convincing. Coming over in the three-team trade that sent Zach LaVine to Sacramento, the new Zach in town – Collins – had a quick sit-down with Bulls coach Billy Donovan. The topic? A request for the 6-foot-11, 250-pounder to help out in the physicality department, to give the Bulls some muscle behind the hustle. Collins’ immediate reaction was yes and yes.

Chicago Sun-Times

“They definitely told me that they like my physicality and what I bring as a big guy, the five man, and they needed that,” Collins said. “Every team needs that. You see around the league, no matter how skilled you are, no matter how you shoot the ball, there’s a level of physicality and dawg in a lot of those teams that win championships. I think it’s a recipe for success.” Then he smirked. “Yeah, they definitely told me that was what they were looking for and I told them, ‘I can oblige for sure.’ “

Chicago Sun-Times

In that time Collins averaged 16 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists, while sitting at a plus-54. Not bad for a guy that didn’t play in his first game after the Bulls added him, Kevin Huerter and Tre Jones in the trade, and wasn’t sure how or when he was going to get on the floor. “It’s always tough not playing,” Collins said. “But I wasn’t too worried about it. A lot of things happen in an NBA season. Guys get sick, guys get hurt, guys can’t play, and you never know when your number is going to be called. “I knew there was a good opportunity here, especially with the way they play, that I could fit in and show them what I could do, whether it was practice or a game, shootaround, whatever, I knew my time would come.”

Chicago Sun-Times

KC Johnson: Clippers 122, Bulls 117 Collins 21 pts (season high), 17 rebs (career high), 6 assts (ties season high), 38 minutes (1 shy of career high) Giddey 21 pts, 12 assts, 8 rebs, 5 TOs (7-7 from 3 last 2 gms) Jones 16 pts, 7-9 FGs Clippers scored 29 pts off Bulls 17 TOs Harden 30 pts

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KC Johnson: Zach Collins tonight: 21 pts (season high) 16 rebs (career high) 6 assists (ties season high) 36 minutes (season high)

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KC Johnson: Bulls 142, 76ers 110 Bulls snap season-high, 6-game skid, set season-highs for points in 1st quarter (39), 1st half (75) and game. Led by 50 at one point Giddey 25 pts, 16 rebs, 6 assists, 3 blocks Huerter 23 pts, 7-11 from 3 Collins 19 pts, 5 rebs Terry 17 pts (career high)

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‘‘[The front office hasn’t] come out and said that to me like that, but I do think organizationally, no question, you want to find out about those guys,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘They’re here. Can they help our team? Can they impact our team? And who are they as players? There hasn’t been, ‘Hey, let’s play these guys right now.’ ’’

Chicago Sun-Times

Donovan knows he can help that process along by providing as much information as he can to Karnisovas and the rest of the front office. ‘‘I do think it is important we find out about them,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘They’re here. At least from my perspective — and I’m sure from the front office’s perspective — you want to explore the entire roster.’’

Chicago Sun-Times

The Bulls were not entirely attached to the players acquired, per a league source, but a deal never materialized. So for three days, Huerter, Jones and Collins were stuck in limbo. It was hard to know how to pass the time. Should they start learning the playbook? Try to befriend teammates who might become opponents again in a matter of hours? In the end, Collins spent most of that time just worrying. “It was definitely crazy,” said Collins, who with Jones came to the Bulls from the San Antonio Spurs. “You’re sitting there, you don’t know what’s going on, then you see a tweet or you see an Instagram post and you call your agent three times. You’re just like, ‘Somebody tell me something.’”

Chicago Tribune

Julia Poe: Zach Collins on the strange uncertainty of his first three days in Chicago, when it was unclear if the Bulls would trade any of the three new guys: "You're sitting there, you don't know what's going on, then you see an Instagram post and you call your agent three times." pic.x.com/vSEDSiIgG9

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K.C. Johnson: Zach Collins said this is third solid franchise he’s been a part of, crediting Portland and San Antonio for helping him endure tough ankle injury that sidelined him several times, including one full season. Also thanks Spurs for being transparent about trade process.

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Michael Scotto: Newly acquired Chicago Bulls players Zach Collins, Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter are now listed as out (coach's decision) for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Chicago is exploring the possibility of rerouting those players via trade, league sources told @hoopshype

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K.C. Johnson: Lonzo Ball (doesn’t play B2B) and Talen Horton-Tucker are out for Bulls vs. Minnesota. Dalen Terry is questionable. None of the new guys will play.

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