Arturas Karnisovas, the Chicago Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations, stated before the season that he wanted to change the team’s shot profile.
The Bulls, on the other hand, retained the majority of their roster from last season. And, while the additions of Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig, both of whom have had career years shooting from deep, should help, the Bulls appear to have passed up an opportunity to do even more to help their three-point shooting woes.
“Honestly, I was expecting them to come this summer with something,” Max Strus, a former Miami Heat winger and Chicago native, said on “The Mid Show” on November 2. “I thought they were going to try to sign me in free agency.” They showed a little interest, but yeah, nothing.”
There was talk that the Bulls could look to reunite with Strus this offseason.
Rival Exec Details Bulls’ Interest in Heat Sharpshooter: ‘They Really Liked Him’
Strus agreed to terms with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a four-year, $62.3 million contract as part of a trade.
He spent the previous three seasons with the Heat, where he established himself as a floor-spacer, connecting on 37.1% of his deep shots, including 41% in 2021-22.
Strus, however, began his NBA career with the Boston Celtics in the G League before joining the Bulls in 2019-20. Strus, who was a standout at nearby DePaul University in college, scored five points in two appearances with his hometown team before tearing his ACL and having COVID end his NBA career.
Max Strus: ‘No Hard Feelings’ Over Lack of Contract Offer From Bulls
“No hard feelings,” Strus said of the Bulls’ lack of an offer. “However, it obviously worked out for me.” “I’m doing fine.”
There may be “no hard feelings,” but Strus was not shy about expressing his delight at keeping his former team out of the playoffs when the Heat defeated the Bulls in the second round of the Play-In Tournament last season.
Max set the tone in the 1st half and was knocking down 3s all night 🙌 pic.twitter.com/D77HKA6VFQ
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 15, 2023
“It’s huge,” Strus said after the game to TNT NBA insider Chris Haynes. “It does feel a little bit better against them, I’m not going to lie.”
He could have helped the Bulls in their 109-107 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on November 3, their first loss of the new In-Season Tournament. They were outscored 54-33 and attempted 17 fewer shots than the Nets. Chicago is also ranked 23rd in attempts and 27th in three-point efficiency this season.
This season, Strus is averaging a career-high 13.5 points per game for the Cavs.
However, he is shooting 29.4% from beyond the arc, his lowest mark since his rookie season with the Bulls.
The Bulls and Cavaliers are both 2-4 on the season after losses on the first night of the In-Season Tournament.
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