The Chicago Bulls are said to have an interest in a former MVP set to hit the buyout market.
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Head coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls.
The Chicago Bulls (26-28) have gone from candidates to make a major move by now to being expected to stand pat to potential sellers to now being in the mix for several players, not the least of which is Russell Westbrook who, upon being traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, is expected to secure a buyout and become an unrestricted free agent.
If and when he does, the Bulls are expected to pursue the nine-time All-Star and 2017 MVP.
“The Chicago Bulls are interested in signing Russell Westbrook should he secure a buyout from the Utah Jazz,” reported Chris Haynes for TNT and Bleacher Report in a tweet following the blockbuster.
Westbrook’s $47 million salary is an albatross but Utah got a first-round pick for taking him. If he is going to be bought out, however, he is free to sign elsewhere and the Bulls can arguably present the second-best pitch in the NBA thanks to Westbrook’s previous ties to head coach Billy Donovan whom he played under for four years in Oklahoma City with the Thunder.
He is in the final year of a five-year, $206.7 million contract.
The Bulls are quickly becoming one of the more popular landing spots from the former Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, and now Lakers (and soon-to-be Jazz) star.
I would assume the Bulls have to be a favorite for Westbrook. Chicago desperately needs a veteran playmaking PG and Westbrook is familiar with his former OKC head coach, Billy Donovan.
