Billy Donovan says the Chicago Bulls will work on their own accord regarding personnel moves

The Bulls remain patient even as the trade deadline nears.

© Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Several Eastern Conference squads have made franchise-altering moves in the last few weeks. New York got the ball rolling by acquiring versatile forward OG Anunoby, and Toronto got their hands on perimeter studs RJ Barrett, Bruce Brown, and Immanuel Quickley. 

At the same time, the Indiana Pacers showed how serious they are about making a run this season by adding former NBA champion and All-Star big man Pascal Siakam.

With the trade deadline of February 8 nearing, Donovan addressed the rumors and speculation surrounding potential trades for the Bulls. He emphasized that while other teams may be making moves, they are focused on their process and will not be pressured into sudden decisions.

Staying patient

Fans and experts have long been batting for the Bulls to get out of NBA’s purgatory and start anew. The writing has been on the wall for quite some time now: this iteration of the Bulls isn’t good enough to contend in the Eastern Conference. However, Chicago’s front office has not made any significant moves to shake things up.

“I haven’t really ever heard (the front office) say, ‘This is going, this is happening, we’ve got to go do something,’” Donovan said after the Bulls won over the Toronto Raptors.

“I think everything, from my perspective, has always been well thought out, looking at the team, how do we make it better?” Donovan added.

Heading back to Chicago with the win.@Plus500 | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/c3PNT3kGqJ

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 19, 2024

No peer pressure

Even as other Eastern Conference teams make moves to shore up their roster, Donovan explained he and the front office feel no need to rush into things. It’s no secret how All-Star Zach LaVine wants to play somewhere else, and Donovan has made it known that they must first resolve that and look at the personnel they have before making any moves.

Until then, the Bulls and the fans are in wait-and-see mode.

“We’re always doing that through the course of the season, looking for ways to make us better. But I haven’t had a conversation like that. Like, ‘Hey, Anunoby is going to New York, hey, we’ve got to do (something) … ‘ I’ve never had a conversation like that with them at all,” Donovan remarked.

SPLASH. https://t.co/8ljngrLH1H pic.twitter.com/z7cvTSeVey

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 19, 2024

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