RealGM Basketball Wiretap

24 April 2024

• 2023-24 Clutch Player Of The Year Finalists Announced

  The NBA announced the finalists for 2023-24 Clutch Player of the Year. The finalists are Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

  De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings won the inaugural Cluth Player of the Year award for the 2022-23 season.

• 2023-24 Most Improved Player Finalists Announced

  The NBA announced the finalists for 2023-24 Most Improved Player. The finalists are Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets and Coby White of the Chicago Bulls.

  Maxey improved from 20.3 points and 3.5 assists per game to 25.9 points and 6.2 assists per game. Maxey also made his first All-Star team. In addition, the fourth-year guard took on an increased role for the Sixers following the James Harden trade and with Joel Embiid missing time due to injuries.

  Sengun helped the Rockets improve from 22 wins last season to 41 wins this season. Sengun improved from 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in his second season to 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists as a third-year player.

  Coby White reclaimed his starting spot for the Bulls. After dipping to 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season, White improved to 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists this season.

• Bulls Offered DeMar DeRozan Two-Year, $80M Contract Extension

  The Chicago Bulls offered veteran forward DeMar DeRozan a two-year contract. The deal was believed to be worth up to $40 million per season.

  DeRozan is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He's eligible to sign a three-year contract, either as an extension or in free agency. As DeRozan will be 35 years old next season, signing a deal longer than three seasons would run into the NBA's Over-38 rule.

  Bulls VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas recently said he knows his team can't simply run back the same roster. But Karnisovas made it clear that Chicago want to keep DeRozan in the fold. For his part, DeRozan said he'd like to return to the Bulls, but that he also wants to win.

  DeRozan averaged 24 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He shot 48% from the field and 85% from the free throw line.

• Arturas Karnisovas Says Bulls Can't Roll With Same Team And Expect Different Results

  The Chicago Bulls fell short of the playoffs for a second consecutive season, and the sixth time in the last seven years. That has Bulls VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas admitting his team needs to make some changes.

  "Any season that doesn't end deep in playoffs requires total examination. We're not here for play-in. We have to make changes," Karnisovas said. "While I can be happy with individual growth, I won't be happy until we bring championship to city of Chicago."

  Putting it even more bluntly, Karnisovas said "We can't roll with the same team and expect different results."

  The Bulls front office leader said it's up to him to give head coach Billy Donovan a better team. Karnisovas would like to re-sign DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams, but avoided answering how the team will handle Lonzo Ball.

  Ball hasn't played since January 14, 2022 due to multiple knee surgeries. The veteran point guard is heading into the final season of his contract, assuming he picks up his $21.4 million player option for next season.

• DeMar DeRozan: I Just Want To Win

  DeMar DeRozan was frustrated by the Chicago Bulls loss in the Play-In Tournament. In his three years in Chicago, DeRozan's Bulls have made the playoffs just once, getting eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in 2022.

  In each of the last two seasons, the Bulls have been eliminated by the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament. That's not something DeRozan wants to repeat. And it seems likely to factor into the veteran forward's upcoming free agency.

  "My stance on wanting to be here is still the same but I just want to win," DeRozan said.

  DeRozan also seems to know he doesn't have a lot of years left to accomplish his goal of competing for a title.

  "Next time I play a game will be my 16th season," DeRozan said. "You realize the window closes for you personally. I ain't trying to play 25 years."

• Alex Caruso Expects To Play In Friday's Play-In Game

  Alex Caruso expects to play in the Chicago Bulls' play-in game against the Miami Heat on Friday.

  Caruso sustained a left ankle injury on Wednesday night when Andre Drummond stepped on his right foot.

  Caruso said the swelling around his ankle had not been an issue and he was expecting to be ready to go for Friday's elimination game.

• Heat-Sixers Play-In Tournament Game Averages 3.4M Viewers

  Wednesday night's Play-In Tournament games averaged 3.25 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2.

  The number is a 25% increase from last year.

  The Sixers' win over the Heat averaged 3.4 million viewers, with the Hawks-Bulls nightcap averaged 3.07 million viewers.

  Tuesday night's Warriors-Kings game averaged 4.05 million viewers.

• Alex Caruso Is Game-Time Decision For Friday Versus Heat

  Alex Caruso has been upgraded to a game-time decision to play against the Miami Heat on Friday.

  Caruso suffered a left ankle sprain on Wednesday against the Hawks.

  With swelling reducing around the ankle, there is optimism that Caruso could play against the Heat.

• Alex Caruso Has 'Significant' Left Ankle Sprain, Doubtful For Friday

  Alex Caruso has a "significant" left ankle sprain, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

  Caruso is doubtful for the Bulls' play-in tournament game against the Heat on Friday.

  Caruso suffered the injury when Andre Drummond stepped on his foot during Wednesday night's win over the Hawks.

• NBA Playoffs 2024: Eastern Conference First Round Matchups

  The Eastern Conference seeds are set following the end of regular season on Sunday. The first round begins on Saturday, April 20th.

  First Round Matchups

  • No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 (Sixers, Heat, Bulls or Hawks)

  • No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 (Sixers or Heat)

  • No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers

  • No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic

  Play-In

  • No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat

  • No. 9 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 10 Atlanta Hawks