The Los Angeles Lakers, with Bronny James sitting out, eased past the Chicago Bulls 107-81 in their final Summer League match-up in Las Vegas. Blake Hinson racked up 25 points and Quincy Olivari made six of 13 from deep for another 20 points in what was a fairly straightforward victory.

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, who is about to enter his fifth season in charge at the United Center, will be hoping his team can get back into gear after back-to-back losing record campaigns. 

Chicago fans who feel optimistic about what 2024/25 offers may want to check out the Illinois sports betting picture ahead of a potential wager on their team making their first run deep into the playoffs since their 2014/15 conference semifinals loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Billy Donovan was under a great deal of pressure at the end of last season, when the Bulls limped out of contention in the play-in tournament, drubbed 91-112 by the Miami Heat after a poor regular season display.

Donovan is incredibly experienced, with the 2024/25 season marking the 30th consecutive season as a head coach, with spells at Marshall and Florida at the college level, with a high level of success, before his move into the NBA at the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015/16. It is worth noting that after five winning record seasons with the Thunder, it’s only since his move to the Bulls that things have waned.

In 2021/22, he led the team to their first winning record season since 2015/16, only to see things tail off in the past two campaigns. 

On the plus side, Chicago does look likely to see Lonzo Ball back in action, with the point guard having suffered a great deal with injuries of late. On a likely return to action, Donovan commented;

“Hopefully, we can get Lonzo back,” 

“He’s moving closer… he’s a guy that everyone enjoys playing with and I think the same can be said for Josh (Giddey).”

Another story circulating around Chicago relates to Zach LaVine and his future, or lack thereof, at the franchise. Donovan already saw DeMar DeRozan leave for Sacramento, and apparently, this may well play a key part in whether LaVine sticks around. 

Chicago Sun-Times reporter Joe Cowley has stated of the situation;

“When LaVine and Donovan have been asked about their icy relationship the last few seasons, both have downplayed just how bad it is, maintaining public professionalism throughout. But the source said a key buffer between the two, especially as far as LaVine is concerned, was veteran forward DeMar DeRozan,” 

“With DeRozan now with the Kings after a sign-and-trade, that buffer is gone.”

A move to the Los Angeles Clippers for LaVine has been mooted, with some seeing the Bulls star as a player who can fill the void left by Paul George’s move to the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Billy Donovan has also seen Alex Caruso leave as part of the deal that saw Josh Giddey move to Chicago and Andre Drummond who moved to the 76ers.