Kevin

Huerter

“Red Velvet” provided limited production in Wednesday’s defeat, which included a 1-of-4 night from beyond the arc. The three “stocks” were solid, but Chicago needed more from Huerter on a night when the team scored a season-low 90 points. After being traded to the Bulls in early February, Huerter was a 10th-round player in nine-cat formats, spending considerable time in the starting lineup. However, those starts were made possible by injuries to Lonzo Ball and Tre Jones. Huerter has one season remaining on his contract and should be in the rotation. However, a healthy Ball likely pushes him to the bench, especially if the Bulls re-sign Josh Giddey.

Chicago would have to win two play-in tournament games to reach the postseason, beginning with Wednesday’s matchup with the Heat. Ball has not appeared in a game since February 28, and the Bulls have been without two rotation point guards, Tre Jones being the other, since March 20. Kevin Huerter has been the third starter on the perimeter for the Bulls, with Josh Giddey and Coby White being the top playmakers. Given the time Ball has missed, he’s unlikely to play significant minutes if Chicago can advance and face Cleveland in the first round.

Huerter got off to a scorching hot start and entered halftime with 18 points and five triples. However, he didn’t play after halftime and ended up playing just 16 minutes, though that was enough time for him to lead the Bulls in scoring. Huerter has played well since being traded to Chicago and should continue to play a significant role in the postseason. They’ll host the Heat to start next week and will have to win two games to make the playoffs.

Sidelined since February, Ball will resume basketball activities on Monday. However, he’s unlikely to be available for Wednesday’s play-in tournament matchup with the Heat. If Chicago can advance, they will play the Atlanta/Orlando loser on Friday for the eighth seed in the East. Kevin Huerter has started in Ball’s absence and should continue to do so.

Ball will miss Sunday’s regular season finale and has not appeared in a game since February. The question is whether or not he’ll be available for Chicago’s play-in tournament matchup with Miami. Kevin Huerter will remain the starter, and the change has raised Red Velvet’s fantasy ceiling. However, since the Bulls are locked into the nine-seed, he may not play starters’ minutes on Sunday.

Huerter missed Tuesday’s game against the Cavaliers with a neck strain but returned Wednesday against the Heat. The 26-year-old shooting guard poured in 22 points and four made three-pointers. Huerter also dished out seven assists. He’s been a solid deep league streaming option with Lonzo Ball out.

Giddey and Huerter are back after both players missed Tuesday’s game against the Cavaliers. Jevon Carter and Dalen Terry will head back to the bench with the Bulls’ usual backcourt healthy for this matchup against the Heat.

Giddey and Huerter are hoping to make returns after sitting against the Cavaliers. Jevon Carter and Dalen Terry started in the backcourt against Cleveland, though they would only continue to start if Giddey and Huerter miss another game.

While White’s absence is due to rest, Huerter will not play on Tuesday because of a cervical strain. The absences open up two spaces within the Bulls’ starting lineup, with Patrick Williams, Dalen Terry and Talen Horton-Tucker among the potential replacements. Williams has yet to start alongside Matas Buzelis, so he feels like an unlikely starter.

This is the second-straight game that Ball will initially be listed as questionable. Though he missed Friday’s game against Portland, there is certainly a chance that he is back to play against Charlotte. In that scenario, Kevin Huerter and Talen Horton-Tucker would likely lose out on minutes, with Huerter potentially being pushed back to the bench.