Billy Donovan says Chicago Bulls have to find ways to lessen the workload on some of the stars

"I don't know if we can keep doing what we've been doing."

© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls will resume their bid to enter the NBA Playoffs this Thursday, minus another rotation player after forward Torrey Craig sprained his knee and will be sidelined for at least two weeks. This unfortunate development means Bulls coach Billy Donovan’s rotation will again be in flux.

Injuries have plagued the Bulls all season, with key players such as Zach LaVine out for the season and Patrick Williams missing extended periods. This has forced Donovan to rely heavily on his remaining healthy stars, such as DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic, who are all playing north of 30 minutes per game.

However, Donovan recognizes that this heavy workload is not sustainable for the team's long-term success. On Tuesday, he stated they must find ways to lessen the burden on their star players.

Figure something out and fast

DeRozan leads the entire league in minutes played per game at 37.7, while White isn’t far behind at 36.3. Vucevic is playing over 34 minutes per game, while young guard Ayo Dosunmu, who has stepped up in place of Williams, has played more than 33 minutes per game in his last 13 outings.

But with injuries continuing to pile up for the Bulls, Donovan will have to get creative in finding ways to give his star players more rest without sacrificing wins.

“I don’t know if we can keep doing what we’ve been doing,” Donovan said, referring to the load carried by some of his rotation players.

“We’ll have to figure some things out going forward.”

Coby White’s growth has been remarkable indeed. pic.twitter.com/HUGeS6qh2z

— Hoop Informatics (@HoopInformatics) February 15, 2024

What can the Bulls do?

What Donovan can do to give his core guys a break remains to be seen. One option could be leaning into their double-big combination of Vucevic and Andre Drummond more. However, that could backfire, primarily if the opponent features a smaller, quicker lineup.

Another strategy could be giving more minutes to young guys like rookie Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry, but that also has its drawbacks. While they may bring energy and fresh legs, they lack the experience and consistency that comes with playing in high-pressure situations.

Dalen putting in work!@NBCSChicago | @DalenTerry pic.twitter.com/R5aGlsQn17

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 13, 2024

The Bulls’ last viable option is to bring someone in from the buyout market. Donovan admitted speaking to Danilo Gallinari, but the Italian has reportedly committed to signing with the Milwaukee Bucks. With limited options, the Bulls must carefully consider their next move.

Injuries continue to hinder the Chicago Bulls as Patrick Williams is still experiencing pain in his foot while Torrey Craig has sprained his knee