Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan says no trade is imminent at the moment
The NBA's trade season kicked into higher gear on Sunday with the news of Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving being sent to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and several draft picks. As far as the Chicago Bulls are concerned, coach Billy Donovan said there's no imminent trade coming, despite the team being included in endless trade chatter.
"He has not really given me anything specific," Donovan said of the team's executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas. "I know we're five or six days away from the deadline. But like he always tells me, when something really comes up that's pertinent that he wants to fill me in on, he'll fill me in."
Constant communication
The lives of an NBA coach and a team's higher-up are undoubtedly connected, especially during the ever-busy trade season. And for a team that has struggled to get going this season, Donovan and Karnisovas have been in constant communication with each other, trying to right the ship heading to the regular season's conclusion.
"He's on the phone, and I think there's all kinds of calls and conversations going on with all these teams right now. But there's nothing that he's really talked to me where he's said, 'Hey listen, we're close on this or close on that.' But he is communicating," said Donovan.
Donovan added that if and when something appears on the Bulls' radar, Karnisovas will immediately let him know about such developments. Until then, it looks like nothing imminent is on the horizon in Chicago.
"I think the one thing that's been built over the last three years now is I think there's a high level of trust and open transparency and honesty that you can speak the truth about how you feel about things. And I really appreciate that. And he can do the same thing with me," Donovan said.
LaVine trade rumors
One player who's been in the headlines as of late is wingman Zach LaVine. A gifted scorer, LaVine has been the subject of rumors involving numerous teams. The two-time All-Star has heard it all and is not bothered by it. Instead, he says he'd rather focus on the things he controls, such as practicing and playing with his teammates.
"Nothing new for me. Nine years of dealing with this. Play the next day. Practice. See what happens," LaVine said.
