The Chicago Bulls put together one of their worst performances of all time in the first half of Tuesday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. The Bulls trailed 71-29 at halftime and faced as much as a 49-point deficit.

The Bulls fell to 22-32 on the season after putting on a horrendous performance in front of their home crowd. Chicago now faces the Pistons again on Wednesday for a back-to-back series, and they certainly have some extra motivation to play for.

The Bulls were booed by the United Center crowd on Tuesday after they took a huge first-half deficit, and Chicago guard Josh Giddey could not blame them.

"You heard it, we heard it, everyone hears it, and obviously we hate that," Giddey said about the crowd's boos. "Every time we come out on this floor, these fans show up and show out, so it's our responsibility as players to give them something to cheer for. Tonight we probably deserved it. We didn't give them anything to cheer for. We were down 40 in the first half and that's not acceptable."

Feb 11, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) defends Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images / David Banks-Imagn Images

Giddey was one of just two Bulls to score in double digits on Tuesday, dropping 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, shooting 5-10 from the field. As a team, the Bulls shot just 35% from the field, 21.3% from deep, and 63.2% from the charity stripe, putting together a complete anomaly of a shooting night that resulted in one of the worst blowouts in franchise history.

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New Team Reveals ‘blueprint’ To Unleash Ben; Hint On Giddey’s Future: Aussies In The NBA

The NBA trade deadline has passed and two Australians are on a new team. Coincidentally, they are on the same team with Ben Simmons and Patty Mills partnering up at Los Angeles.

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Mills has already spoken about his “goal” to make the most of his time with Simmons, while the three-time All-Star opened up in his first media opportunity about the outside noise and expectations for his fresh start.

Meanwhile, one Bulls insider has dropped a hint on Chicago’s plan for Josh Giddey.

Read that and more in foxsports.Com.Au’s latest update on all Australians playing in the NBA!

BEN SIMMONS (Los Angeles Clippers)

Ben Simmons is ready to put the “bulls***” behind him and start a new chapter in his career - albeit with a return to the old No.25 jersey he wore at LSU and then as the No.1 draft pick in Philadelphia.

Of course, a lot has changed since Simmons was drafted by the 76ers with the hope and expectation that the Australian would be the franchise’s saviour.

But Simmons struggled to live up to those expectations. Even when traded to the Brooklyn Nets, injuries stopped the three-time All-Star from ever going close to justifying the five-year, $177.2 million deal he originally signed with the 76ers in 2019.

But now Simmons has been given a fresh start, with the Los Angeles Clippers signing the Australian after the Nets agreeing to buy out his contract and waive the point guard.

The Clippers did not announce terms of his agreement, but ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Simmons gave back $1.1 million, the prorated minimum contract, in his buyout.

As for where Simmons will fit in the rotation, that remains to be seen. But with Kevin Porter Jr. Moved on at the trade deadline, the Clippers are in need of someone to run the bench unit and Simmons will be able to do that along with offering strong defence and rebounding.

Clippers coach Ty Lue has known Simmons for a long time due to his previous representation under Klutch Sports, while he was also a leading candidate in Philadelphia’s coaching search after firing Brett Brown.

While Simmons reportedly had several suitors, including Eastern Conference leaders Cleveland and Western Conference contenders Houston, there was one important message the Clippers sent the 28-year-old straight away when they first talked to him.

“I spoke to a few different teams,” Simmons said in his first media opportunity after Clippers practice on Wednesday.

“That was the first thing they said to me, ‘We see you as a point guard’. And for me, that’s truly my position.

“I see the floor. I want to get my guys going, get them easy buckets, control the pace. And then on the defensive end, I want to be a dawg. I want to be able to get stops and put that pressure on the ball.”

Ben Simmons practices during a Clippers workout at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

It is something Lue also reiterated to reporters when asked about the Simmons move, calling him a point guard first and center second. Although the Clippers coach added how Simmons fits into their scheme will depend on which unit he is playing with.

“So depending on what unit he’s on, it’s just going to take some time to just kind of let him learn the plays,” Lue said.

Simmons worked on dribble handoffs at Wednesday’s practice with fellow new addition Bogdan Bogdanovic, who the Clippers received as part of a trade which sent Terance Mann to Atlanta.

It was Simmons’ first practice at the Intuite Dome, the Clippers’ state-of-the-art $2 billion arena.

“It’s insane. All the detail in this building, it’s insane,” Simmons said.

“I haven’t seen anything like it. We’ve got everything we need here to be successful.”

Lue said he has already told Simmons the team’s “plan and blueprint” on how they want to use him, explaining to reporters that he envisions the Australian operating out of the short-roll in a similar way to starting big man Ivica Zubac.

When Zubac is on the bench or playing at the five, Lue also said that he expects Simmons to not be used the dunker spot but moreso in the corner, catching uphill and playing off dribble handoffs.

Lue spoke more broadly about how “unique” Simmons’ game is but said “the biggest thing” for the Clippers will be the way he can push the pace in transition opportunities, describing the Australian as an “unbelievable” passer.

Ben Simmons is in new colours. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Defensively, Lue said the fact Simmons can match up one through five makes him a valuable piece and that the Clippers plan to have him guarding “the best players every single night”.

As for what Simmons thinks of the move, he said it will be very different to Brooklyn where he was playing with a much younger group.

“It’s a veteran-based team. So it’s a lot different but it’s time to get going straight away,” Simmons said.

“I don’t have too much time to get a rhythm but I’m ready to get started and get competing. I just want to play basketball at a high level and I feel like that’s going to happen here.”

More than anything else, Simmons said he “felt wanted” in Los Angeles.

While Simmons said he was “feeling great” ahead of his Clippers debut, for the time being he won’t be playing back-to-backs, as was the case at Brooklyn due to lower back injury management.

As Lue said, Simmons also told reporters “pushing the pace” is something he thinks he can offer the Clippers and added that his new team’s transparency in what they expect from him and how he will fit into their plans has helped make him feel at home early on.

“I think it’s easier when teams are transparent and understand who you are and what you need and how the team can help and how I can help them,” Simmons said.

“So for me, I feel comfortable. I know most of the guys in the team and so I’m ready to get started.”

One of those players, of course, is Patty Mills who Simmons said he has known since he was young, adding that “having a familiar face like that around helps”.

It will also help Simmons put all the drama from the past three years in Brooklyn behind him. But by the sounds of it, he won’t need much help buying in or making an immediate impact.

“I’m a competitor. I just want to compete,” Simmons said.

“Regardless of all the bulls*** that is said online that doesn’t come from me, I want to compete and I’m here to do that and to play alongside some of these great players is going to be great.

“I think everyone’s just going to push each other to be better and expect greatness. So, that’s my expectation coming to the Clippers.”

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JOSH GIDDEY (Chicago Bulls)

Another deadline passed and yet again, the Chicago Bulls failed to really pick a definitive direction — well, sort of.

Trading Zach LaVine was a start. But doing nothing else and then having vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas still seemingly convinced this could be a play-in or playoff calibre team meant that was a wasted move, even if he brought himself to admit the team was in a “transitional phase”.

The big question when it relates to Giddey, is how he fits into Chicago’s muddled plans given he will become a restricted free agent after the 2024-25 season.

It is even harder to answer that question given the Bulls somehow finished the trade deadline with more guards on their roster.

Of course, Giddey and Coby White are the leading options from that list and according to one Bulls beat writer, it sounds like the Australian guard is Chicago favoured guard to build around into the future.

“The one thing I don’t understand is why not unload, unless they’ve been told something intel wise about this summer, the Coby Josh thing does not work,” Chicago Suns-Times reporter Joe Cowley said on the CHGO Bulls podcast.

“It’s nothing personal between the two guys. They just don’t work on the court and I think we’re all seeing that.

“This team is going to invest in Josh Giddey, it’s not going to invest in Coby White moving forward.”

That would at least take one ball-dominant guard out of the equation, because the problem for the Bulls is that if they are to build their offence around Giddey they need less playmaking on the floor and more shooting surrounding the 22-year-old, who could thrive as a full-time point guard like he was in his early years at Oklahoma City.

For now, it may be hard to get any real sense of Giddey’s potential at Chicago while playing in a Bulls team that just needs the season to end if the loss to Detroit is anything to go by.

Josh Giddey in action for the Bulls. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

DYSON DANIELS (Atlanta Hawks)

The Hawks made a few changes at the trade deadline, moving on from Bogdan Bogdanovic, Cody Zeller and De’Andre Hunter.

None of it means too much for Daniels, who is locked in as Atlanta’s starting option in the backcourt alongside Trae Young now and into the future.

Although NBA Insider Chris Haynes did raise an interesting point during NBA TV’s trade deadline special, hinting that soon enough the Hawks may need to make an all-in move or risk their superstar guard asking out.

“That guy is a fierce competitor. He wants to win. I’m saying, he wants to win,” Haynes said of Young.

“So the direction of the Hawks is very – I would say very unique considering they know where he stands and what he wants to accomplish.”

That, of course, would have a flow-on effect on Daniels given the way he has complemented Young’s game since being traded to Atlanta. For now, that is just speculation but it will be worth monitoring entering the summer.

Of course, the Hawks had no reason to be making any big splashy moves at the deadline anyway after losing Jalen Johnson for the season and if there has been any change to Daniels’ game as of late it has been the additional playmaking in Johnson’s absence.

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Daniels has been playing at the point more when Young sits and that can only be a good thing for his development, while he has also been better at asserting himself on offence.

“One of the things we’ve talked to him about is just his aggressiveness attacking the basket and that’s another thing that I think, as the season’s progressed, he’s been more aggressive,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said earlier in the month.

“Whatever it is he’s doing in there — if he’s passing or finishing or shooting a floater or layup — just the fact he’s getting in the paint is big for us.”

JOSH GREEN (Charlotte Hornets)

Green returned on Tuesday after missing two consecutive games with a calf injury, scoring five points to go with two steals, one assist and two rebounds in 27 minutes against the Nets.

The 24-year-old had a particularly productive stretch to close out January, scoring double figures in four-straight games before cooling off to average 6.8 points in his next four games.

While still making the hustle plays that defined his game in Dallas, Green hasn’t necessarily cemented himself in Charlotte’s future plans the same way Dyson Daniels has with his opportunity in Atlanta, so it remains to be seen how he factors into the Hornets’ vision beyond this season.

Green was traded to Charlotte as part of the Mavericks’ move to land Klay Thompson and said deadline week is a “stressful week for anybody” when asked by reporters about it earlier in the month.

“Anything can really happen,” Green added.

“I’ve been through a trade. It’s different... At the end of the day, we’re not the ones making the decisions.

“For me, it’s just focusing on what we can focus on, and that is the game tonight. Whatever happens in the next 24-48 hours happens. I’ve just learned that you’ve got to be comfortable with whatever.”

Day'Ron Sharpe heads for the net as Josh Green defends. Elsa/Getty Images/AFSource: AFP

JOE INGLES (Minnesota Timberwolves)

We’ve been getting some serious Joe Ingles minutes lately!

The Boomers veteran had largely been cast aside this season in Minnesota, struggling to get any minutes even as part of the bench rotation and instead settling into more of a mentoring role as a valuable locker room presence.

But an injury to Naz Reid presented the opportunity for Ingles to see over 10 minutes in a game for the first time this season and it wasn’t just the one game. Ingles had three straight games with 15, 13 and 20 minutes on the court respectively.

Ingles scored his first bucket of the season against Washington, going 4-for-6 from the field to put up 10 points along with three assists and looked calm and in control as a bench facilitator.

“He was great,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said post-game.

“Unlocked a lot of good offence for us, made some threes. He was very good.”

Ingles also showed off his familiarity with former Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert straight away in the pick-and-roll and was particularly impressive finding the Timberwolves big man on cuts.

“It was great to see him out there. Happy to see him play well,” Mike Conley said.

“You can tell we have chemistry when he’s out there. His chemistry with Rudy and his playmaking ability, his shooting and the way he can stretch the floor.

“One of the smarter players I’ve ever played with, so it’s good to have another guy out there like that who can think the game at his level.”

Joe Ingles has spent most of the season on the bench. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

This season hasn’t necessarily played out the way Ingles may have hoped when he first signed with Minnesota, expecting the Timberwolves to be a title contender and perhaps also thinking he may get more consistent minutes in the rotation.

But the ultimate professional that he is, Ingles told reporters after the Wizards game that he would never be the type to complain or make anything about himself.

“Obviously when I signed it was a different team,” Ingles said.

“Obviously when the trade happened these guys were great with the communication. I’ve been around enough to understand what kind of happened, and maybe (the role) would’ve been bigger with KAT here, maybe not. You never know.

“I’m never, at this point in my career, going to kind of f***up the vibe of the team because of me. I do my stuff, I make sure I stay ready.

“Obviously I felt like at some point there’d be an opportunity, whether that’d be with coach deciding or with injuries. It’s kind of the way the NBA is. So I was always going to be ready. I knew when I got that opportunity I’d be able to do what I’ve been able to do for 11 years.”

Of course, Ingles is also still great for comedic relief, whether it was having Jazz fans yelling for him to enter the game during a blowout late last month or catching Darius Garland before he fell onto the court after contesting his shot and then literally carrying the Cavs guard after the whistle.

DANTE EXUM (Dallas Mavericks)

Exum has been solid since returning from wrist surgery that sidelined the luckless Australian for 48 games to start the season.

His return couldn’t have come at a better time either for a Mavericks team in need of extra playmaking and scoring after the Luka Doncic trade.

Exum has done well to put pressure on the paint, scoring over double figures in three straight games to open February including a 15-point effort against Boston which saw him go 4-for-6 from deep.

Of course, that is more of an anomaly for Exum, who is a low-volume 3-point shooter having never averaged more than 3.2 attempts per game in his NBA career, but it was at least promising to see he was capable of having that kind of performance.

Exum had a rough game at the free throw line in Dallas’ overtime loss to Sacramento though, going 0-for-4 from the charity stripe, but that too was more of an isolated game than part of a growing trend.

Dante Exum in action for the Mavericks. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Exum is an unrestricted free agent next summer, so the Doncic trade could end up being more of a positive for him given it should present the Australian with more playing time.

Speaking earlier in the month, Exum admitted the Doncic trade was a “real big shock”.

“But I’ve been traded twice in my career so you just understand and learn how this business works and it’s just something you have to adjust to,” he added.

“... I’ve learned from being traded before that sometimes it’s not about you as a person or as a player, it’s just them looking at what they can do that is the best for the organisation. But on the other end for Luka, he has an organisation that wants him.”

PATTY MILLS (Los Angeles Clippers)

The Clippers were the only team in the NBA to have never had an Australian on the roster, that was until Mills was traded to Los Angeles.

Now Simmons joins him, and the veteran Boomers guard said he is hoping to convince his Australian teammate to finally push for selection in the national team.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to have Ben in the green and gold for the Olympics and major tournaments,” Mills told the Guardian Australia.

“I think this can be a great and refreshing start for Ben and I’ll help him in any way I can.”

Mills also told the publication that he believes the Clippers, who have had recent success in the buyout market with players like Russell Westbrook, Nicolas Batum and Reggie Jackson, can also bring the best out of Simmons.

“I got to know Ben on a deeper level in Brooklyn and after being here at the Clippers for a little bit now and experiencing the environment they have, I think he can benefit a lot from what is here and how hard people work,” Mills said.

Mills bleeds green and gold. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Mills comes from a Jazz team that was one of the worst in the Western Conference and had a clear role in Utah as a veteran who could be a leader in the locker room and mentor for the younger players.

The Clippers, on the other hand, have plenty of veterans and are looking to contend while their window is still open with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard healthy.

It makes it hard to see Mills getting too much playing time in Los Angeles, seeing seven and two minutes respectively in his first two games with the Clippers.

But when asked what it was like going from a rebuilding team to one with championship ambitions, Mills’ response spoke to the clarity with which he sees the game at this point in his career.

“It’s back to, again, the purpose,” Mills said.

“The purpose of playing basketball. The purpose of competing and competing to win and doing your part. So this is definitely familiar territory on the quest of something greater.

“And it’s fun. It’s fun when you find a group and you find guys that are willing to do their part to win a championship, it’s very cool. So hopefully I can bring that here.”

Mills, who was sitting at home on the lounge room floor with his dog when he got the phone call, said it has been a “whirlwind the last couple of days”.

Patty Mills was traded to the Clippers. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

He reunites with Leonard, who he won an NBA championship with during his time at San Antonio, and said the chance to team up with the six-time All-Star a decade later is “very exciting”.

“Yeah, a couple of young bucks back in the day, winning an NBA championship, and obviously being able to witness his growth firsthand was really cool,” Mills said

“It was something that you achieved in your life that kind of bonds you together and you have that forever. So, very grateful for my time spent with him.

“Close bond with him in San Antonio and obviously close since then. So, to be able to reunite a decade later on a quest for the same sort of thing is very exciting.”

Mills has been traded four times in the past two years and while from the outside looking in it may seem like his career is coming to a close, the 36-year-old was emphatic when asked if he was thinking of retiring at the end of the season.

“Definitely not,” Mills told the Guardian.

“I always said I’ll keep playing until the wheels come off and I’ll continue to look after my body really well. I’m just enjoying the journey as it goes. There’s tougher things in life than moving around the NBA.”

It is a fresh start for Patty. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

JOHNNY FURPHY (Indiana Pacers)

Furphy was forced into a larger role than anticipated earlier in the season as injuries hit the Pacers but has since primarily featured in the G League outside of a few minutes here and there in the NBA.

The Australian rookie hasn’t played over five minutes since late December, when he got 24 minutes in a blowout loss to Boston, finishing with two assists, a block and a steal in a scoreless game.

But given Indiana took on Furphy as more of a developmental player, it is probably for the best that he has a chance to build his game and confidence playing for their G League affiliate, the Mad Ants.

Furphy had a career-high 21 points with nine rebounds and two assists in Indiana’s 107-99 win over the Motor City Cruise in late January, making five 3-pointers in an efficient night.

It came after Furphy exploded for a highlight-reel transition dunk against the Osceola Magic earlier in the month, showing off the athleticism that made him such an intriguing draft prospect.

Furphy finished that game with 17 points and 15 rebounds and has averaged 12.7 points and 10.5 rebounds overall from his six games with the Mad Ants so far, although his 3-point shooting remains a work in progress (25.8 per cent from 5.2 attempts per game).

MATISSE THYBULLE (Portland Trail Blazers)

A frustrating season continues for Thybulle, who is yet to play a game for the Trail Blazers after suffering a significant right ankle sprain in late November.

It was just the latest setback for Thybulle, who was beginning his ramp-up period from a pre-season procedure he underwent to address inflammation in his right knee.

While it’s unclear when Thybulle will be making his season debut, he has been providing highlights away from the action, including this reaction to the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade that was caught on camera during Portland’s game against Phoenix.

Either way, although Thybulle hasn’t featured for the Blazers this season, it is still interesting to consider where he fits into Portland’s plans given this is a team that is clearly on a rebuilding timeline.

Thybulle looks like he would settle into more of a rotation role off the bench for Portland when he does return and has a $11.5 million player option next year.

While it is hard to see Thybulle earning anything close to that on the open market given his injury setbacks this season, he may be better served to look for a fresh start with a contender who could use his elite perimeter defence off the bench.

DUOP REATH (Portland Trail Blazers)

Another Australian in Portland who could do with a fresh start is Reath, who has gone from averaging 17.9 minutes per game last season to just 5.3.

Reath has played over six minutes in just one of his last 13 games for the Trail Blazers but he has certainly been making his mark for Rip City Remix since returning to the G League.

The Blazers big man scored 16 points in his first game back in the league while also hitting an insane buzzer-beater in a thrilling 127-125 win for the Remix over Windy City.

Reath then followed that up with a 36-point, 13-rebound G League performance in a 112-89 win over the Pacers.

He is currently stuck behind Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams in Portland’s big man rotation.

Reath was listed by NBA insider Jake Fischer as a potential trade candidate given his team-friendly $2.2 million contract for 2025-26, but he is staying put for now.

JOCK LANDALE (Houston Rockets)

Landale was another name to monitor ahead of the trade deadline, with Steven Adams positioned as the clear back-up to starting Rockets big man Alperen Sengun.

Landale wasn’t moved but the remaining $16 million of his four-year $32 million contract is not guaranteed beyond this season, meaning the 29-year-old’s future in Houston is still far from locked in.

While Landale may not be seeing big minutes, he is still getting some playing time and made the most of his 24 minutes in a 94-87 win over Toronto last week with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

It was Landale’s first double-double of the season and a season-high mark in playing time for the Boomers big man, who had otherwise averaged a career-low 10.5 minutes per game this season.

Jock Landale made a big impact against the Raptors. Alex Slitz/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

“I think it’s crucial for a team to have those vets who have kind of been around but stay hungry and stay ready and are great when they’re called upon,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said after that game.

“We saw that a tonne last year... When Alpy (Sengun) went down late in the year Jock stepped in and played well.”

Landale may be called on to do that again after Sengun (back) went down injured in the win over the Raptors, with the starting center questionable for Thursday’s game against the Suns.

If he is out, Landale should see an increased role along with Adams and veteran Jeff Green.

JACK MCVEIGH (Houston Rockets)

McVeigh hasn’t played in the NBA since late November and doesn’t look to be much of a chance of cracking into Houston’s rotation as the Rockets push towards a title.

For now, he has been playing in the G League where the Australian sharpshooter scored a career-high 29 points to go with five rebounds in the Rio Grande Valley Vipers’ 130–118 win over the Oklahoma City Blue.

As for what is next for McVeigh once the NBA season wraps up, his former coach Scott Roth said on SEN’s Tassie Breakfast that he believes McVeigh won’t return to the NBL next year and instead is likely to end up in either Europe or Japan.

ALEX DUCAS (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Ducas has a genuine chance of winning an NBA championship in his first season in the league as part of the Oklahoma City juggernaut.

The Thunder comfortably lead the Western Conference with a 43-9 record and Ducas has been seeing consistent minutes off the bench for Oklahoma City, especially during blowout wins.

Just over seven minutes is all Ducas has been given on average in the past month but it is probably more than he would have expected, having signed with the Thunder on a two-way contract after going undrafted.

The 24-year-old’s most productive game came against the Bucks. It wasn’t an efficient shooting night for Ducas, who went 1-for-6 from the floor in a career-high 14 minutes, but he hustled for seven rebounds.

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LUKE TRAVERS (Cleveland Cavaliers)

The mullet-sporting Australian has been missing since December 13 after going down with an ankle injury but returned last week via the G League before getting six minutes in Cleveland’s 128-107 win over Minnesota.

Travers’ haircut caught the attention of The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo after standout Philadelphia Eagles rookie Cooper DeJean showed off a similar look in the Super Bowl, although the former Melbourne United guard was definitely ahead of the game on this one — as are most Australians his age.

Either way, like Ducas, Travers is unlikely to see any major minutes this season but has earned minutes now and then, especially in blowouts, and could also feature deep into the NBA playoffs for a Cavaliers team which has the best record in the league.