Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan calls out new players after trades

After reshaping the backcourt with trades, Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan is putting pressure on the new guards. 

The Bulls revamped their roster before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5. They added four new guards: Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton and Rob Dillingham.

Ivey joined the Bulls from the Detroit Pistons, bringing speed, athleticism and strong ball-handling skills. Simons came from the Portland Trail Blazers, adding scoring experience and a quick, alert presence on the court. Sexton, traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, is known for aggressive drives and nonstop energy, contributing on offense and defense. Dillingham, a young draft pick with potential as a versatile guard, gives the Bulls flexibility. Together, these four players form a guard-heavy backcourt.

But even with the new lineup, the Bulls are still struggling to win. They have not yet won a game with the new roster. Chicago has already lost three games since changing its lineup. The team scored fewer points and struggled to defend effectively.

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.

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