RealGM Basketball Wiretap

15 September 2024

• Bulls Agree To Deal With E.J. Liddell

  The Chicago Bulls agreed to a contract with E.J. Liddell, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Liddell, who was the No. 41 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, appeared in eight games with the Pelicans last season.

• Talen Horton-Tucker, Bulls Agree To Partially Guaranteed Deal

  Talen Horton-Tucker and the Chicago Bulls have agreed to a partially guaranteed deal. Horton-Tucker is a native of Chicago where he played at Simeon Career Academy.

  In 51 games last season with the Utah Jazz, Horton-Tucker averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 19.8 minutes.

  Horton-Tucker is represented by Rich Paul and Lucas Newton.

• Nikola Vucevic Wants To Play Four More Years

  Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic met with the media at Goran Dragic's farewell game in Slovenia. One of the topics Vucevic covered is how much longer he plans to play.

  "I'm aware that I've been in the NBA for 13 years now, that the end is not that far off," Vucevic said. "I don't believe I'll play another 13 years, but I have two more years with Chicago, and I'd like to play two more after that... I think I can play at a high level for that long, and then I'll see."

  Near the start of this season, Vucevic will turn 34 years old. The veteran center is owed $41.5 million, fully guaranteed, over the next two seasons with the Bulls.

  Vucevic's efficiency slipped last season, as he dropped back below 50% shooting from the field and 30% on three-pointers. That's something Vucevic attributed to injuries and constant trade rumors around the Bulls last season.

• Javonte Green, Pelicans Agree To One-Year Deal

  Javonte Green and the New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a one-year deal.

  Green, who is represented by Greg Lawrence, averaged 12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in 25.6 minutes over nine games last season with the Chicago Bulls.

• Kenny Lofton Jr., Bulls Agree To One-Year Deal

  Kenny Lofton Jr. has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Chicago Bulls. Lofton will have a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Bulls in training camp.

  Lofton is represented by Mike George, Shayaun Saee and Corey Barker.

  Lofton appeared in 21 games last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz. Lofton went undrafted in 2022 out of Louisiana Tech.

• Back-To-Back Games Up In 24-25 NBA Schedule Vs Prior Year

  As the NBA continues to find ways to increase player availability for key and high-profile games, that has led to more back-to-backs being scheduled in 2024-25. Teams average 14.9 back-to-back games in next season's schedule, which is up slightly from last season. That figure is still down considerably from a decade ago.

  This season, the league has arranged the schedule to make sure no team is on a back-to-back ahead of opening week national TV games, holiday games (Christmas and MLK) and before Saturday night showcase games on ABC throughout the season. In addition, no NBA Cup games will be played as the second game of a back-to-back.

  A group of 11 teams have the most back-to-back games scheduled at 16 occurrences. This group includes the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards.

  A group of six teams have the fewest back-to-back games scheduled at 13 occurrences. This group includes the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers.

  There are no instances of four-in-five games. The NBA has worked to eliminate those situations over the years.

• Bulls, Warriors Have Most Net 'Rest Advantage' In 24-25 Schedule; Suns Have Least

  One of the key items that gets analyzed when the NBA schedule is released is which team is playing with a rest advantage. For the 2024-25 season, teams playing with a rest advantage ranges from the New Orleans Pelicans league-low four times to the Brooklyn Nets 15 times.

  On the flip side, the Pelicans play an NBA-low six times with a rest disadvantage. The LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks play a league-high 13 times on a rest disadvantage.

  As for net "rest advantage", the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors play four more times with a rest advantage than they do with a rest disadvantage. On the other end of the spectrum, the Phoenix Suns play four less times with a rest advantage than they do with a rest disadvantage.

• Lonzo Ball Scrimmaging 5-On-5 With No Setbacks

  Lonzo Ball is participating in full contact, 5-on-5 scrimmages, sources told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

  Ball has not experienced any setbacks.

  Ball, who has not played an NBA game since 2022, is entering the final year of a four-year contract.

  The Bulls are still focused on playing with Josh Giddey as the primary ball-handler, according to sources.

• Warriors Not Interested In Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine

  The Golden State Warriors were very interested in trading for Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, but that ship seems to have sailed. Despite still being interested in making a move, don't expect the Warriors to trade for a big name. That includes Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans or Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls.

  Golden State is still looking at ways to upgrade the roster, have shown no interest in either of the high-priced veterans. The Warriors may now go into the season with their draft picks and young players and look for a trade before February's deadline.

  The Pelicans have been rumored to be looking at deals for Brandon Ingram, as they need to rebalance their roster. Ingram is also in the final season of his contract and is rumored to be looking for a max or near-max deal. New Orleans seemingly has no interest in paying Ingram anywhere near that amount, and has explored the trade market for the veteran wing.

  LaVine has been available since before last season's trade deadline. The Bulls haven't been able to find a taker for the veteran guard and the $138 million left on his contract over the next three seasons. This situation appears to be destined to go into the season, as well.

• RealGM Radio: Caitlin Cooper, Dan Feldman On The Central Division (Aug 2024)

  Host Danny Leroux, Caitlin Cooper of Basketball, She Wrote and Dan Feldman of Dunc'd On Prime go in-depth on the NBA's Central Division.

  They discuss how the Bucks, Bulls, Cavs, Pacers and Pistons fared in the off-season and predict the season to come, including projected finish, breakout players and rookies they are most excited to see.

  Subscribe to RealGM Radio on Apple Podcasts or via the RSS feed.