NBA Notes: Bulls, Isaac Okoro, Thunder, Dariq Whitehead, Kings

Bulls

It looks like the Bulls have found their fifth starter, at least for now.

Per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, Isaac Okoro has emerged as the frontrunner to round out Chicago’s starting five alongside Josh Giddey, Coby White, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vucevic. Head coach Billy Donovan praised Okoro’s defense and said he’d be comfortable using him on an opponent’s top perimeter scorer.

Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune wrote earlier in the week that Okoro was one of several candidates for the role, along with Kevin Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, and Tre Jones. But after the preseason wrapped, Donovan sounded ready to roll with flexibility.

“I’ve talked to these guys about it,” he said. “We’ve got to get out of the old-school NBA mindset of, ‘Here’s my rotation, here’s my minutes.’ Over 82 games, there’ll be consistency, but matchups will matter.”

Thunder

Dariq Whitehead is getting another chance, this time in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder signed the former Duke standout just four days after he was waived by the Nets, the team announced.

Whitehead, 21, was a first-round pick by Brooklyn in 2023 but injuries derailed his early career — including multiple surgeries on both legs. He’s appeared in just 22 NBA games so far.

Whitehead’s new deal is believed to be an Exhibit 10, meaning he could join the OKC Blue and earn a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he sticks around for 60 days.

To make room, the Thunder waived forward Cameron Brown, who signed with the team earlier in the week. Brown is expected to rejoin the Blue, where he played last season.

Kings

Russell Westbrook is officially a King, but the bigger story might be what’s happening around him.

Per Sam Amick of The Athletic, “hordes” of opposing scouts have been attending Sacramento preseason games, anticipating that the Kings could become sellers by the trade deadline.

Amick also reported that head coach Doug Christie’s new deal is only guaranteed for two seasons, with a third-year team option and a modest salary — roughly $2 million annually before a jump if the option is exercised. 

As for Westbrook, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype adds that his one-year contract is non-guaranteed.

New general manager Scott Perry called Westbrook “the identity we’re striving for,” but this version of Sacramento has a lot to prove before February rolls around.