If Sunday in Detroit represented a farewell present from Nikola Vučević to the Bulls, it might signify his varied time with the team. Vučević achieved 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks, and a steal while hitting 8-of-10 field goals, marking his sixth career triple-double and first in over two years. Despite Vučević’s ongoing exceptional offensive performance, the Bulls lost 127-119 to the emerging Detroit Pistons.
The Bulls fell to 21-29 as the emerging, youthful Pistons climbed above .500 at 25-24, entering February for the first time in nine years.
While the discussion primarily revolved around events occurring far away, late Saturday night saw a significant NBA trade involving Dallas superstar Luka Dončić being sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
“I went to bed early.” “I’m 34, need to go to sleep sooner,” Vučević quipped to reporters following the game. “I got up and saw I had about 50 messages, and I thought, ‘Oh, what’s happening?’” That was my initial reaction…Then I read the messages and saw what took place, which certainly surprised me. “Similar to the entire (NBA) universe.”
It was a bold, landmark, and unmatched deal involving all-NBA, future Hall of Fame talents, although it might be personally controversial for the Bulls’ future. Vučević’s name has frequently been discussed in possible trades as the league’s trading deadline approaches on Thursday, Feb. 6, after two upcoming Bulls games, including one against Miami at the United Center on Tuesday.
Following Davis’ exit from the Lakers, NBA rumors intensified regarding Vučević as a possible substitute, with the Bulls speculated for weeks to be a major contender in the midseason player trade frenzy.
Although another Bulls season appears to be leading toward the play-in tournament and possibly a quick exit, there is a strong desire for changes within the team from many fans. Naturally, that might happen after the season, similar to last summer with the exits of Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, and Andre Drummond. Another consideration is the Bulls keeping their 2025 first round draft pick, which will go to the San Antonio Spurs if the Bulls are outside the top 10 in the draft lottery.
The names of Vučević and Zach LaVine have been the most discussed in trade rumors, but not solely. Numerous individuals think the Bulls are at a personnel juncture as rookie Matas Buzelis progresses. He tallied 12 points on Sunday while teaming up with Patrick Williams from the bench, as Williams maintained his double-digit scoring run as a substitute with 11 points.
Ayo Dosunmu scored 14 points while Ball contributed 13. Jalen Smith was unable to play due to an illness, while Dalen Terry left the game early due to an injury.
Many have speculated about Vučević’s potential exit since he joined the Bulls in a trade four years ago next month, particularly now that the Lakers have a vacancy at center.
“I don’t consider the connection (to other teams looking for a center),” Vučević stated after the game against Detroit. “I don’t engage in that much; sorry I can’t provide you with a more exciting response.” I don’t focus heavily on (trade rumors). You can never predict what will occur. I doubt anyone in the world expected this trade involving (Dončić) to occur…and then it took place. I concentrate on what I can manage, which is my performance and being the best I can for my teammates. And we will observe what occurs.
“If that turns out to be the sole trade (this month), it (will still be) one of the wildest trade deadlines we’ve ever experienced,” Vučević remarked with a chuckle, the audacity of the superstar transactions still rattling the NBA’s verbal landscape. “Typically, teams certainly wait for the major domino to drop, and then things unfold from there.” You catch wind of rumors regarding the Jimmy (Butler) situation, along with (De’Aaron) Fox as well. There are countless speculations, numerous items. At times it results in something, at times it results in nothing. We had no speculation about this (Dončić) and it occurred. You can never tell. That’s why the NBA ought to revive the slogan, “NBA, where incredible things occur.”
Perhaps the next Denzel Washington will be in Trading Day.
Coby White, stepping up with Zach LaVine out for a third consecutive game due to personal matters, was the top scorer for the Bulls with 22 points, while Josh Giddey contributed 20. However, the Bulls’ weaknesses persisted painfully as they allowed a disordered 80 points in the paint, with six dunks and layups during the fourth quarter while struggling with their guard-dominant lineup in an effort to recover from a nine-point deficit by the end of the third quarter. Additionally, an alarming 20 turnovers resulted in 26 points for Detroit, with the extra pass frequently landing in the possession of the players donned in blue jerseys.
Discuss the pain of heartbreak. It was February 2, Groundhog Day, and you felt as though you had encountered the shadow of those offenders hovering over these Bulls before. One certainly wishes this won’t last six more weeks.
“There are moments when there’s a drive or a pick-and-roll, and a big guy like (Jalen) Duren rolls, they lob it over us, and we just can’t reach it,” sighed Bulls coach Billy Donovan. “My problem is that at times they simply play right past (us).” We are present, yet they passed straight through. We need to strengthen our position, take charges, and become more vertical towards the basket. It’s not that we’re absent … but regarding rim protection, I believe we need to engage our bodies more actively. “I believe we have the ability to accomplish that.”
This season has seen a problem with a Bulls squad designed more for scoring capability.
At the start of the game, Pistons guard Tim Hardaway Jr. took a charge, marking his 16th of the season, which is triple the total for the Bulls team. The Bulls rank second to last in the league for charges taken and deflections, impacted by the exit of Caruso and also DeRozan. The Bulls aimed to replace their play with more effective ball movement and shooting, and there have been moments of brilliance as a fluid offense generated high assist figures and an eruption of three-point shooting games, with the Bulls launching 52 attempts on Sunday. However, following a sharp 7-of-12 performance from beyond the arc for a 35-30 lead in the first quarter, the Bulls shot just 12-of-40 on threes in the remaining three quarters. A 34-19 second quarter by Detroit provided them with an advantage, utilizing easy scores and Bulls turnovers to build a 17-point lead by early in the fourth quarter and maintain distance from the Bulls during the entire second half.
“We’re attempting to navigate tight spots,” sighed Donovan regarding the passing mistakes. “Not all the passes were like that, but there are those plays in the air, off one foot, or attempting to throw the ball into a spot with many hands.” If it succeeds, it appears to be an incredible move, but it involves a lot of risk. We need to improve our ability to care. I consistently discuss things that can be controlled. “I believe we can manage this much better.”
The Bulls did not succeed in Detroit, as this classic rivalry might start to gain momentum once more with the Pistons’ comeback.
In the Bulls’ expansion years and leading up to the championships of the 1990s, the rivalry between the Bulls and Pistons was among the most intense and exciting in the NBA, featuring the Bad Boy Pistons and the glamorous Bulls led by Michael Jordan. Even as far back as the early 1970s, when the Jerry Sloan/Norm Van Lier Bulls claimed their inaugural playoff series victory in 1974 against the Pistons. The harsh transition from the 1989 and 1990 champion Pistons led by Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer to the championship Bulls of Jordan and Scottie Pippen in the 1990s was arguably the most fierce and passionate rivalry in NBA history, as the tough, hardworking cities by the great lakes braced themselves against the competition’s winds, creating one of the greatest spectacles in NBA history.
However, the franchises eventually parted ways, with the Pistons featuring Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups in the early 2000s prevailing until the Derrick Rose-led teams took over, leading to a cycle of sporadic mediocrity and rebuilding phases alongside periods of uncompetitive play. However, with the Pistons’ youthful core spearheaded by Cade Cunningham, who scored 22 points and provided 15 assists on Sunday, and a Bulls squad possibly shifting towards a younger, more athletic style of play, the Midwest rivals might foster a resurgence.
The Pistons have currently taken the lead as they did on Sunday, highlighting the Bulls’ transition vulnerabilities in terms of player changes and defensive capabilities. Although it was a Sunday afternoon game, they understand throughout the NBA how challenging that can be for visiting teams arriving the night before in vibrant cities such as New York, Toronto, and…Detroit.
In the meantime, the Bulls’ reliance on four-guard lineups often leaves them at a disadvantage against the taller Pistons players who are able to score in the post. The Bulls’ guards work hard, frequently keeping possessions alive on the offensive boards with tap backs, and Giddey excels at rebounding. However, Giddey and Vučević lack athleticism, making them prime targets for the young Pistons’ athletes. While the Bulls have thrived with selfless passing in their fast-paced offense, it’s expected that an increase in passes results in greater chances for turnovers, particularly when few natural playmakers are present.
The Bulls began with a quick lead. However, the Bulls’ second quarter was skewed, hitting 2-of-13 on three-pointers while Pistons bench player Simone Fontecchio excelled from distance for Detroit, and the Bulls permitted a stream of fast break points and dunks following turnovers. The Pistons were ahead 64-54 at halftime, but after the Bulls trimmed the gap to start the second half with seven consecutive points from Dosunmu and three-pointers from Giddey and Vučević, the Pistons ended the quarter with six additional layups and lob dunks.
The Detroit 95-86 advantage after three quarters expanded to 103-86 shortly into the fourth quarter, featuring two of Malik Beasley’s five three-pointers, while Duran contributed with 21 points and 13 rebounds. White tallied 15 points in the final quarter as the Bulls accumulated enough. Although the Pistons frequently focused on Vučević, who is enjoying one of his finest seasons with averages of 19.9 points and 10.3 rebounds, shooting 40% from beyond the arc and ranking sixth in the league for double-doubles.
It remains uncertain how many more days the Bulls will keep him — and others.
“Tonight, there were many aspects we could have managed that impacted us negatively,” Vučević stated. “There are many instances…we failed to box out.” We allowed Duren to have a few. They have been performing significantly better this year. Clearly a strong team, but I believe there were actions we could have taken to improve our chances. After I made one or two three-pointers, they began showing off to me a lot more. That created an additional opportunity to pass. Many times during my drives [and] postups, they would collapse. “I simply intended to take my time.”
