The Chicago Bulls aren’t winning very often, but they still aren’t tanking and that isn’t likely to change, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times writes in a subscriber-only story.
Thursday’s loss to the Lakers left Chicago at 27-39, which is the league’s ninth-worst record and only a half-game away from Milwaukee in the lottery race.
Head coach Billy Donovan explained that he hasn’t been given any indication from executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas to stop using his strongest rotations, and he doesn’t anticipate that approach changing anytime soon.
“If we get to a place where we are mathematically out of anything as it relates to postseason and there are guys that are dealing with some ailments or have challenges health-wise, could they say, ‘Hey, let’s get these guys right first’? I don’t know,” Donovan said.
“Everything I got from them up to this point in time is to continue to put our best foot forward.”
As Cowley points out, evaluating the revamped roster since the trade deadline has been difficult because several players have been dealing with injuries.
Donovan and the front office are hoping to get extended looks at Anfernee Simons and Jaden Ivey before they reach free agency this summer, but both players have been limited.
Simons is currently out with a fractured wrist, while Ivey has been managing ongoing soreness in his left knee.
The team announced today that Ivey will begin practicing with the Bulls’ G League affiliate, which could signal that his return to game action is approaching.
“The Anfernee thing has made it tough to evaluate him, but he does have a large body of work, and so does Collin (Sexton),” Donovan said.
“Rob (Dillingham) would be a guy that you can really, really take a look at. The Jaden situation has been unfortunate because he played four games and now he’s out, he’s trying to rehab, but everything I’ve gotten from (the front office) is go out there and help these guys be as competitive and successful as they can be, and put the focus on winning, and I think that’s the same thing as ownership.”
ICYMI: The Bulls aren’t winning very often, but they still aren’t tanking and that isn’t likely to change. That + more from Chicago. https://t.co/6Qpol64FU5
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 14, 2026
