Veteran Guard Kevin Huerter Hopes to Stay with Bulls Beyond This Season
Kevin Huerter has been a standout in plus/minus ratings since joining the Chicago Bulls just before the trade deadline last season. As he enters the prime of his career at 27 years old and after playing for three teams in five seasons, Huerter feels he has finally found a home in Chicago.
Huerter leads the Bulls in plus/minus since being acquired in a three-team trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Kings in February. Head coach Billy Donovan's comments suggest the team values Huerter, but his future remains uncertain as he will become a free agent at the end of the season. The Bulls have at least six expiring contracts, including those of Coby White and Nikola Vucevic, making offseason decisions complex.
"I just want to be a part of winning basketball at this point of my career," Huerter said. "Whether fans have liked it or not, Billy has preached that since I got here. Even when that 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?'"
Huerter appreciates the competitive energy that has surrounded the team since his arrival and notes it has never been about stepping backward.
"The energy since I’ve gotten here hasn’t been, 'Hey, we’re looking to take a step back,'" he added.
While Huerter understands the business side of the team's decisions, he hopes to remain with the Bulls and contribute to their winning future.
Author’s summary: Kevin Huerter, entering his prime, aims to continue his career with the Bulls, valuing their competitive spirit despite contract uncertainties.