Veteran Guard Kevin Huerter Aims to Stay with Bulls Beyond This Season
Since joining the Chicago Bulls just before last season's trade deadline, guard Kevin Huerter has been a standout in plus/minus, leading the team in that metric. At 27 years old and having played for three teams over five seasons, Huerter feels he has finally found a home in Chicago as he enters his prime.
Huerter’s Impact and Uncertain Future
Huerter joined the Bulls in a three-team trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Kings in February. His contributions go beyond the stats, as he has quickly become a key part of the team's effort moving forward. However, the uncertainty lies in whether the Bulls want to keep him long-term. With head coach Billy Donovan speaking positively about Huerter, the signs are promising, yet Huerter will become a free agent at the end of the season.
Team Dynamics and Contract Situation
The Bulls roster faces significant contract decisions, with at least six players—including Coby White and Nikola Vucevic—set to have expiring contracts. In this business-driven environment, emotions often take a backseat to team needs, a reality Huerter fully understands.
Huerter’s Perspective on His Role
“I just want to be a part of winning basketball at this point of my career,” Huerter said Friday. “Whether fans have liked it or not, Billy has preached that since I got here. Even when that [LaVine] trade happened, he was like, ‘I know who left the building. Are we going to be a team that folds, or are we going to try and make a push to the playoffs, get a little taste of that?’
“The energy since I’ve gotten here hasn’t been, ‘Hey, we’re looking to take a step back.’”
Huerter is focused on contributing to a winning culture and hopes that aligns with the Bulls' plans moving forward.
Author's summary: Kevin Huerter, thriving since his trade to the Bulls, seeks to extend his stay and help the team push toward playoff contention amid a roster facing multiple contract decisions.