A tiebreaker cost the Bulls a shot at Cooper Flagg. What's next for Chicago?
Long-suffering Chicago Bulls fans might have felt a gnawing feeling during the NBA Draft Lottery.
While conspiracy theorists were busy concocting arguments for why the Dallas Mavericks, with only a 1.8 percent chance, landed the No. 1 pick and the opportunity to draft star Cooper Flagg, a different cloud hung over Chicago.
Advertisement
The Mavericks won the lottery Monday night only after winning the draft-order tiebreaker over the Bulls last month. A random drawing, performed by NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell at the league office in Secaucus, N.J., gave Dallas 0.1 percent chance more than Chicago to land the winning ping-pong ball numbers. That minuscule percentage made all the difference between the Bulls welcoming a generational talent and scouring the back end of the lottery for good value.
The Bulls own the 12th selection in the draft, remaining in their most likely landing spot. Chicago had only an 8 percent chance of moving into the top four selections. After finishing with an identical 39-43 regular-season record, Dallas had just an 8.5 percent chance of cracking the top four.
It's the second time in seven years that a draft-order tiebreaker has delivered horrendous luck to the Bulls. In 2018, the Bulls won the draft-order tiebreaker over the Sacramento Kings. It put Chicago in the sixth position and Sacramento in seventh, but the Kings moved up to the No. 2 pick during that year's lottery.
Kings fans still can't believe they took Marvin Bagley III over Luka Dončić, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young. Meanwhile, the Bulls drafted Wendell Carter Jr. with the seventh selection.
The Bulls also won draft-order tiebreakers from 2021 to 2023. They drafted Dalen Terry 18th in 2022, but their first-round selections in 2021 and 2023 conveyed to the Orlando Magic as compensation for the Nikola Vučević trade.
'I have full confidence in our staff regardless of where we're picking,' Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas said at his season-ending news conference. 'I think we can always find value.'
This year's Bulls first-round draft pick took a pit stop with the San Antonio Spurs. Chicago traded the pick as part of a package to acquire DeMar DeRozan in 2021. The Bulls then recouped the pick in this year's three-team trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Kings and De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs.
Advertisement
Now, the Bulls are banking on adding another quality player to a core that consists of Coby White, Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, Lonzo Ball, Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams and Vučević. It's a suddenly revamped roster that sorely needs a star after the Bulls traded DeRozan to the Kings last summer. But with minimal draft capital and salary-cap space and few trade chips, the Bulls are emphasizing internal development. They still believe they can develop a star from within.
'We're always going to be looking at how to improve this roster by adding a high-caliber player,' Karnišovas said. 'At the same time, I would not put any limitations on this roster or on the way Coby's been playing or the way Josh has been playing. Those players have a chance of playing at a very high level.'
White, 25, emerged as the team's leading scorer this season following LaVine's in-season trade. White averaged a career-high 20.4 points. Giddey averaged 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists in 19 games after the All-Star break.
'There's a lot to like about this young roster,' Karnišovas said. 'They showed it the second half of the season. We're going to try to add pieces and get better for next year.'
Buzelis, the 11th pick in last year's draft, represents the value Chicago looks to find with the 12th pick. Buzelis got better as the season went on and averaged 13 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27 games after the All-Star break.
'Watching what Matas has done and his progression through the year, that gives you hope,' Karnišovas said.
Vučević is a candidate to be traded this summer, which could prompt the Bulls to search for size in the draft. Big men who project to be available at No. 12 include 7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach out of Duke, 6-10 Thomas Sorber out of Georgetown and 7-foot Danny Wolf out of Michigan.
Advertisement
The Bulls also need an influx of defenders, regardless of position. Dosunmu and Ball are their most reliable defenders, while Williams is the team's best option against big wing scorers.
'Obviously this group knows that expectations are going to be higher next year,' Karnišovas said, 'and I think they're going to be ready for it.'
(Photo of Matas Buzelis: Jeff Haynes / NBAE via Getty Images)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
29 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Adam Scott at another US Open and headed for century mark in the majors
OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Adam Scott is one year away from an impressive streak that the Australian considers to be a classic glass half-full moment in golf. The U.S. Open is his 96th consecutive major championship appearance dating to the 2001 British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. 'It sounds like a lot to have won one,' Scott said with a laugh, referring to his lone major title in the 2013 Masters. 'It would be twice as good if there was one more.' Still, he realizes he is approaching a big milestone. The PGA Championship next year, assuming he qualifies or gets an invitation, will be his 100th career major. He could make it 100 in a row if he makes it to Shinnecock Hills for next year's U.S. Open. A streak like that requires eligibility and good health. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson only had eligibility in their favor. Woods played 46 straight majors until knee surgery after he won the 2008 U.S. Open. Mickelson played 61 in a row before he sat out the 2009 British Open as his wife was being treated for breast cancer. The record is among the most untouchable in golf — Jack Nicklaus played 146 in a row from the 1962 U.S. Open through the 2008 U.S. Open. 'Probably whenever it ends, whether it's 100 or more or less, I think it will be hard for guys to get to that number going forward,' Scott said. 'I think it's getting harder. And I think I have been a consistent player over a 25-year career. I could probably pick three troughs where my game was looking pretty ordinary and I fell outside the top 50 and I was really struggling. But over 25 years, I'd expect that of almost any player.' Scott had a few close calls in the U.S. Open. He made it through 36-hole qualifying with one shot to spare in 2018. He failed to make it through qualifying last year (he was first alternate) but became exempt at No. 61 in the world. Grayson Murray, who took his life in May 2024, was still ahead of him in the world ranking and the USGA went down one spot. Scott said Mickelson and Rory McIlroy are among the few who never went through bad spells or serious injury 'and we're talking about two of the greatest of their generation.' McIlroy's streak was interrupted when he injured his left ankle and couldn't play the 2015 British Open. Oakmont is his 39th consecutive major. US Open prize money For the first time since 2021, the U.S. Open is not increasing its prize money. It will be $21.5 million for the second straight year, with $4.3 million going to the winner. It remains the biggest purse of the four majors. The Masters was $21 million this year, while the PGA Championship was at $19 million. The British Open hasn't announced its total purse for next month at Royal Portrush. It was at $17 million last year. The U.S. Open purse was $12.5 million in 2020 and 2021 before making a big leap to $17.5 million in 2022 at Brookline. 'I feel comfortable that we've been a leader in moving fast and bigger,' USGA CEO Mike Whan said Wednesday. The Players Championship has a $25 million purse. The USGA and R&A get the bulk of their revenue from their Opens. They also use that money to invest back in the game, including the Women's Opens and amateur events such as the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup that several of the top stars once played. 'But at the same time, we understand. We want to be relevant,' Whan said. 'We know that this probably isn't really about the money for the person who puts it there, but at the same time, we want the money to be commensurate with the achievement. ... It's part of creating what we want to be the greatest championship in the game.' Driver testing Xander Schauffele couldn't contain his laughter when he said both his drivers were tested this week and both passed the USGA limits of trampoline effect. It was no joking matter for Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship when word got out that his driver didn't pass the test from too much use. Turns out Scottie Scheffler's driver didn't pass for the same reason, and they had to get new drivers. The results are supposed to be confidential. The post on McIlroy's driver was published without any context — the random testing at every major, and the service being done for players (and equipment makers) who otherwise would be unaware when the faces of the drivers become too thin from constant strikes. Whan said he felt stronger than ever to keep results private 'In terms of what happened at the PGA Championship, it made us more committed to not wanting to have this be the topic of the town,' Whan said 'Because I think when you talked about a rules violation or somebody who's playing with a hot driver, that gets so much more sensational than the reality. 'I can tell you as a rules body, if we had concern about this incredible advantage, we would change the degree in which we test,' he said 'But we think the testing that we're doing now is commensurate with the size of both the issue and the size of the reality of the issue.' Rain and rocks The Pittsburgh area had one of the wettest Mays in history, not ideal for a U.S. Open that would prefer Oakmont to be firm, fast and scary. But it's not just the golf course. It can turn into a sloppy mess outside the ropes, and for some of the lots the U.S. Open is using for parking. That's why Whan was quick to celebrate Thomas Construction, a local company that has supplied gravel to create paths in walkways and parking lots. 'He no longer has gravel — true story — and he's only had one customer in the last 60 days — us,' Whan said. 'Suffice it to say, he told us there's more gravel here than in the quarry right now. And I apologize to all you (Oakmont) members. Good news is it's outside of the rope lines.' ___ AP golf:
Associated Press
29 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Titans embrace Callahan's competition hoping to boost performance, accountability and wins
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Drop a ball, lose points. A red zone touchdown catch isn't worth six but still nets points. Jump offside earns a deduction. Lose a wide receiver in coverage also hurts. The Tennessee Titans don't kick off coach Brian Callahan's second season until Sept. 7 at Denver. With the Titans going 3-14 and losing the final six games, Callahan made some changes all designed to help Tennessee win more in 2025. The biggest new offseason feature is an internal competition. Callahan broke up the Titans into eight teams with a captain and assistant with rankings updated daily. Teams earn — or lose — points for what they do particularly on the field. For pro athletes, that's all they needed to hear. Outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones, an offseason free agent signee going into his seventh NFL season, said Wednesday that the Titans are '100%' bought into Callahan's offseason competition. Jones said everything they do is a competition, keeping energy high. 'We need that competition,' Jones said. 'We have a young football team. We need to keep that edge and that competitive (approach) throughout the whole entire offseason leading into the season.' Tennessee lost six games in Callahan's debut season by eight points or fewer. Combined with a roster stocked with 48 new players, this competition is designed to have the Titans hold each other accountable for mistakes including turnovers, penalties and mental errors that prove so costly in an NFL season. Callahan knows this won't show results that matter until September and October at the earliest. This is all part of his focus on doing everything possible for the Titans to be better. 'A lot of it was kind of through this offseason program that we developed and how do we best win football games? And how do I best put our team in position to do that? How do I coach that better? And how do I do a better job from a leadership perspective for our players and our staff?' Callahan said. Jones is on a team captained by running back Tony Pollard who likes how Callahan also mixed up assignments in the locker room. No longer are position groups sitting together. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley is next to rookie quarterback Cam Ward. 'You got to talk to different guys, get to know people throughout the locker room,' said Pollard, who now has cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and defensive lineman Keondre Coburn to the right. 'So it's just, it's a great thing just connecting with the whole team.' That talking isn't done just inside the locker room. Part of the schedule includes time for each group to get to know each other better by discussing four H's: history, heroes, hopes and heartbreaks. 'That's just a great thing just learning backstories, what guys have been through and what they've had to overcome to be where they are now,' Pollard said. Callahan hasn't shared what the rewards will be for the winners. It doesn't matter. Linebacker Cody Barton, who signed a three-year deal in March, joked that he heard winners got a car and asked for that to be confirmed. A pat on the back also works. Right guard Kevin Zeitler is another newcomer going into his 14th NFL season. He said every NFL team has its own approach to the offseason program with some business-like, others 'super competitive and fiery' with others making it fun. 'Having an extra competition throughout the day to be more on your details. ... it makes it more fun,' Zeitler said. Treylon Burks working Callahan said Treylon Burks, the Titans' 18th pick overall in 2022 as part of the A.J. Brown trade, is doing more in his rehab from a partially torn ACL that limited him to five games and four catches last season. Burks is doing more than Callahan expected at the beginning of the offseason program. Burks is doing more individual drills and routes. Callahan said the hope is Burks will be cleared by the start of training camp. ___ AP NFL:
CBS News
40 minutes ago
- CBS News
Frisco ISD releases video of fatal track meet stabbing involving Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony
Frisco Independent School District has released surveillance footage of a deadly stabbing that occurred during a track meet in April, but only under strict conditions. Under Texas open records laws, requesters may view such video in some cases, but are not permitted to record it. Camera captures distant view Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony CBS News Texas The video begins several minutes before the altercation between Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf. The camera, positioned near the press box, captures half of the field at Kuykendall Stadium. The tent where the incident occurred is located in the bleachers near the 50-yard line. Due to the camera's distance, individuals are not easily identifiable. At approximately 9:55 a.m., a sudden movement is seen under the tent, followed by interaction between two figures. Frisco ISD officials say this is the moment the stabbing occurred. Several people are seen walking or running away, while others approach the area. Emergency response begins Minutes later, an ambulance arrives, entering through the gate near the end zone and driving to the 50-yard line. Paramedics appear to realize they cannot reach Metcalf, who is in the bleachers, with the stretcher. They return it to the end zone, then carry it into the stands. While paramedics work on Metcalf, someone places crime scene tape and unrolls a blue tarp higher in the stands behind the tent. Police later said this is where the knife used in the stabbing was found. Stretcher moved to ambulance At about 10:13 a.m., paramedics begin moving the stretcher toward the entrance as the ambulance reverses alongside it. Six or seven individuals surround the stretcher as it is loaded into the ambulance at 10:15 a.m. The vehicle does not depart until 10:20 a.m. Police remain on scene The video continues for several more minutes, showing police activity under the tent. Prosecutors may present the footage to a grand jury.
