Veteran Guard Kevin Huerter Hopes to Stay with Bulls Beyond This Season
Since joining the Chicago Bulls before last season’s trade deadline, guard Kevin Huerter has become a standout performer in terms of plus/minus. As he enters his prime years, Huerter hopes to make Chicago his long-term home.
Finding Stability in Chicago
Huerter arrived in a three-team deal that sent Zach LaVine to the Kings. Despite this major roster shake-up, he quickly adapted and made a strong impact on both ends of the floor. At 27, and now with his third team in five years, he believes he has found the right environment.
“I just want to be a part of winning basketball at this point of my career,” Huerter said Friday.
He added that head coach Billy Donovan has emphasized a team-first mindset since his arrival, focusing on competing and pushing for the playoffs rather than stepping back to rebuild.
Business Decisions Ahead
Huerter’s future in Chicago, however, remains uncertain. He will become a free agent at the end of the season, amid a roster that includes several players on expiring contracts, such as Coby White and Nikola Vucevic. While the team values his contribution, financial decisions could determine whether he stays.
“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?’”
Coach’s Confidence
Donovan’s faith in Huerter suggests mutual trust between player and coach. The Bulls’ energy, Huerter said, has been focused on improvement and competing for a postseason spot rather than regression.
Author’s Summary: Huerter thrives in Chicago’s structured environment, balancing optimism about his role with realism about business factors shaping his future.