Here's the latest Chicago Bulls news, including a shocking Nikola Vucevic development and updates on potential Coby White, Anthony Davis and Jonathan Kuminga trades.
Nikola Vucevic benched in win over Hornets
The Bulls owned a seven-game losing streak heading into last night's Dec. 12 matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Chicago got Isaac Okoro, Tre Jones and Jalen Smith back from injuries. But it was Zach Collins, playing his third game of the season, who made the most significant difference.
A big enough difference, in fact, to force head coach Billy Donovan into sitting Vucevic, who's long been one of his most valuable players and consistent presences.
But the proof is in the pudding, so to speak.
The Bulls trailed 61-55 at halftime. Collins had played fewer than nine minutes to that point, totaling four points and a rebound. Vucevic started, played nearly 15 minutes, and had seven points, one rebound and three assists. Then it flipped.
Vooch played only seven minutes in the second half, sitting for the final 19. Collins and Smith owned most of the frontcourt playing time and provided a spark that the 35-year-old Vucevic simply cannot.
Collins had 12 points and seven rebounds on 5-for-5 shooting across the final two quarters. Smith grabbed four offensive rebounds. Collins grabbed two. The Hornets had eight offensive rebounds the entire night.
The Bulls were outscored by seven points with Vucevic on the floor in the second half. They outscored Charlotte by 15 with Collins and 11 with Smith.
There's no guarantee that the stubborn Donovan makes this a regular thing, but there's obviously something there.
Latest on Anthony Davis, Coby White, Jonathan Kuminga trade rumors
The Bulls are struggling on the court, but there's some potential drama brewing off it. The team has been linked to Davis, White and Kuminga at certain points over the last few weeks, and although nothing is concrete right now, there seems to be at least a chance Arturas Karnisovas and the front office debate making a move.
The Minnesota Timberwolves registered some interest in acquiring White to fill their gaping hole at point guard, per Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Chicago's interest in Davis has seemingly disappeared, according to Marc Stein via The Stein Line substack (h/t Bleacher Report).
Stein does note, however, that the Bulls have shown interest in Kuminga in the past, adding that the Golden State Warriors are "increasingly expected" to find a new home for the 23-year-old. Chicago may be one of those.