There will be no controversy surrounding the room quality of the Bulls’ accommodations for their three weeks of group activities, for which the isolation period began Monday.
There will be no quibbling over the food options either.
Take it from Denzel Valentine, who offered fans a peek into the downtown hotel Bulls players will make home as they shuttle back-and-forth to the Advocate Center for the team’s first group activities since March.
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City views. A colossal bathroom, outfitted with a jacuzzi. A plasma screen TV situated at the center of a full living room.
Doesn’t quite look like a Motel 6 to us. Wonder what Rajon Rondo would think if he were still in town.
Valentine also panned over some custom gear handed out by the Bulls — in the video, a shirt that reads “Equality” can be seen. Otto Porter Jr. shared a similar spread on his Instagram story last night:
So, let the games — er, “voluntary group workouts” — begin… On Wednesday, that is. That’s when Bulls players and staff are expected to clear two days of quarantine at the hotel, and diagnostic and antibody COVID-19 testing, paving the way for practices, scrimmages and skill and conditioning sessions to commence at the Advocate Center.
Those participating have undergone daily testing since Sept. 14.
NBA
Coby White recently told reporters on a Zoom teleconference that “pretty much everybody” from the team is in town. Kris Dunn marks an exception there. While Dunn has fully rehabilitated the sprained MCL that ended his season on Jan. 31, he opted out of the workouts due to his impending free agency, which will trigger whenever the 2020 offseason begins, sources told our K.C. Johnson.
Dunn will be either a restricted or unrestricted free agent, depending on if the Bulls’ new management regime extends him a qualifying offer, which, as of last projection, was valued at $7.1 million. It’s not uncommon for players with checkered injury histories (Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin of the Detroit Pistons) or uncertain long-term contract situations (Bismack Biyombo of the Charlotte Hornets) to opt out of the offseason workouts.
Valentine will also be a free agent when the offseason strikes. But there are a few bridges to cross before that time. Workouts, for one, begin Wednesday. For now, he’s drinking in the view.