Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan calls out new players after trades

Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan presses new guards to step up on defense

Donovan is now calling on the new guards to make an immediate impact, especially on defense. He said these players need to put in more effort to make it harder for opponents to score. That defensive effort will help the rest of the team.

“I do think with Jaden [Ivey], Anfernee [Simons], Collin [Sexton], Rob [Dillingham] . . . we’re going to have to be more disruptive . . . Our guards have to be better on the ball defensively. They’ve just got to be more physical on the ball. That would help with the size and the rolls at the rim,” Donovan noted, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Donovan admitted that adding four new guards midseason is challenging. He said these players didn’t have time to practice together before joining the team. He stressed that effort, teamwork and taking responsibility are just as important as individual talent. Donovan wanted these new players to push each other and help the team defend better.

The need for strong defense is even more pressing with guard Tre Jones sidelined by a hamstring injury. Jones, one of the Bulls’ best at deflecting the ball and disrupting opponents, likely won’t return until after the All-Star break. The new guards will have to fill that defensive role in his absence.

For Donovan, these trades are a way to improve the team’s defensive identity. Thus, in the coming weeks, he said the focus will be on the players’ adjustments, learning to work together, and staying resilient. If the new guards step up, they can help the Bulls stay competitive, even in a season full of changes.