Tag: Julian Phillips

NBA Summer League: Former Vols’ July 13 results

A look at how former Vols performed in the NBA Summer League Thursday.

Five Former Vols competed in the NBA Summer League Thursday.

Games were contested at Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Cleveland defeated Chicago, 87-83, at Thomas & Mack Center.

Julian Phillips started for the Bulls and played 26 minutes. He totaled 12 points, two rebounds, one steal and one block.

Phillips converted 4-of-10 field goal attempts and 4-of-5 free throw attempts.

Atlanta defeated Philadelphia, 99-98, at Cox Pavilion.

Jaden Springer started and played 32 minutes for the 76ers. He recorded 29 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Springer converted 8-of-16 field goal attempts, 2-of-5 three-point attempts and 11-of-11 free throw attempts.

Uros Plavsic totaled four points and eight rebounds in 14 minutes for Atlanta. He converted 2-of-8 field goal attempts.

Yves Pons played eight minutes for Atlanta, recording two points and two rebounds.

Brooklyn defeated Toronto, 99-94, at Thomas & Mack Center.

Kennedy Chandler started and played 33 minutes for the Nets, recording 15 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Chandler converted 6-of-22 field goal attempts and 3-of-8 free throw attempts.

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Bulls sign rookie Julian Phillips to 4-year, $8.1 million contract

The Chicago Bulls have signed rookie Julian Phillips to a four-year, $8.1 million contract.

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The Chicago Bulls are signing rookie forward Julian Phillips to a four-year, $8.1 million contract, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN. (H/t Daniel Greenberg) The fourth year in Phillips’ contract is a team option, and the deal utilizes the second-round exception that was added in the new collective bargaining agreement.

According to Marks, Phillipss’ $5.7 million in guaranteed money is the second-most among all second-round picks who have signed contracts thus far. Colby Jones of the Sacramento Kings is the only second-round pick who has more guaranteed money on his deal (of those who have already signed). His deal is a four-year, $8.7 million contract.

Heading into the 2023 NBA draft, the Bulls had no picks, but they stayed active. They traded into the second round and selected Phillips with the 35th pick.

Phillips missed the Bulls’ first summer league game because he had not signed his rookie deal. He has played in both of their contests since. The rookie struggled in his first game, but in the second, he picked up the pace.

Most impressively, Phillips showed off a solid three-point stroke, nailing all three of his triples against the Kings. He shot 23.9% from distance in college, but his form looked solid against Sacramento.

With the new contract in place, Chicago will have Phillips under team control for the next four seasons as they attempt to develop him into a rotation piece.

The 6-foot-8 rookie is known for his defense and athleticism, so if he can develop a 3-point shot, the Bulls could have a solid 3-and-D forward on their hands.

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Rookie Julian Phillips on Bulls summer league debut: ‘I can be better’

Chicago Bulls rookie Julian Phillips knows he can be better than what he showed in his Summer League debut.

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The Chicago Bulls have had a solid summer league stint so far, winning their first game against the Toronto Raptors but losing to the Memphis Grizzlies in their second. But the wins and losses aren’t as important as the development process is; Chicago’s young players are getting valuable experience.

Javon Freeman-Liberty has stolen the show through the first two games, making his case for a two-way spot or even a standard roster slot. Dalen Terry has also been solid despite his poor shooting efficiency. But rookie Julian Phillips had a relatively poor debut in his first summer league game.

Phillips didn’t play against the Raptors because he hadn’t signed his contract yet, but when he debuted against Memphis, he struggled. After the game, Phillips stated he knows he can be better. (H/t Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic)

“My performance wasn’t what I wanted it to be,” he said. “I was kind of trying to figure out how the game was going to go. But I’m glad I got that game under me to see what it is so I can be better on the next outing.”

He also noted the adjustment he needs to make from the college level.

“It is a different game than college basketball,” he said. “But it’s something that you’ve just got to do. You’ve got to just play more so you can get accustomed to it.”

Heading into the rest of summer league, expect Phillips to play with confidence and strive for improvement.

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Bulls Julian Phillips’ summer league debut shouldn’t cause concern

Chicago Bulls rookie Julian Phillips struggled in his Summer League debut, but that’s okay.

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The Chicago Bulls have had a relatively up-and-down summer league thus far. They took down the Toronto Raptors in their first game but lost their second game to the Memphis Grizzlies and Kenneth Lofton Jr., who has been having an incredible summer league.

Javon Freeman-Liberty has been stealing the show for the Bulls so far, putting up solid stats and playing with great energy. Dalen Terry looked better in his second game, as did Adama Sanogo. As for rookie Julian Phillips, he was pretty shaky in his summer league debut against the Grizzlies. He didn’t play against Toronto because he had not yet signed his contract, and when he got out there, he looked shaky.

Considering it was his very first summer league game (and very first NBA-level game in general), that’s OK. As Elias Schuster of Bleacher Nation wrote, some level of should be expected.

“What about Julian Phillips? Well, the newbie did take the court for the first time after reportedly reaching a contract with the team prior to tip-off. To say it looked like the first-ever summer league game for a second-round pick would be an understatement,” Schuster wrote. “He didn’t find his way onto the scoreboard until the fourth quarter when he knocked down a 3-pointer. Other than that, he was semi-active on the glass and snatched 4 rebounds, but it was one of those performances where you pretty much forgot he was out there. To be clear, I’m not necessarily upset about it. Would it have been nice to see him go off and be more assertive? Sure. But it was literally his first-ever game at this level. I’m just happy the two sides got the deal done so he could get out there.”

As Phillips gets games under his belt, he should warm up to the NBA-caliber competition, and his play should improve.

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NBA Summer League: Former Vols’ July 8 results

A look at how former Vols performed in the NBA Summer League Saturday.

Three former Vols competed in the NBA Summer League Saturday.

Games were contested at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Philadelphia defeated New York, 110-101.

Jaden Springer started and played 32 minutes for the 76ers. He totaled 23 points, three rebounds, three steals, one block and one assist. Springer converted 8-for-14 in field goal attempts, 2-for-6 in three-point attempts and 5-for-8 free throw attempts.

Utah defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 105-99.

Jordan Bowden played 17 minutes for the Clippers. He recorded two rebounds, two assists and one block.

Memphis defeated Chicago, 87-80.

Julian Phillips made his debut for the Bulls. He played 24 minutes and totaled two points, four rebounds and one block.

Phillips was drafted in the second round by Boston in the 2023 NBA draft and traded to the Bulls.

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Bulls Summer League Notebook: The Statue of (Freeman-)Liberty

The Chicago Bulls lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night in Summer League, but Javon Freeman-Liberty stole the show.

The Chicago Bulls took on the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night in their second game of Summer League action. After taking down the Toronto Raptors on Friday, the Bulls lost to Memphis by a score of 87-80. Once again, Chicago struggled with efficiency.

The Bulls shot just 40.0% from the field and 33.3% from deep against the Grizzlies. Memphis big man Kenneth Lofton Jr. continued to wreak havoc on Summer League, pouring in 23 points to go along with four rebounds, two steals, and three blocks, but the Bulls had some solid performers on their side of things, too, all highlighted by a certain point guard.

Let’s take a look at the top notes from Chicago’s loss to the Grizzlies.

Why Julian Phillips didn’t play in Bulls’ first summer league game

Here is why rookie Julian Phillips didn’t play in the Chicago Bulls’ first Summer League game.

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The Chicago Bulls played their first summer league game on Friday night, taking down the Toronto Raptors, 83-74. It was a low-scoring affair, but plenty of Bulls players gave fans a reason to keep tabs on the team.

Nate Darling showed his 3-point skills. Javon Freeman-Liberty played an all-around game, and Yago Dos Santos was a spark plug off the bench. Bulls fans have plenty of reasons to watch moving forward, but one stood out above the rest: the absence of rookie Julian Phillips.

The Bulls rookie did not appear in the game, and Bulls PR revealed the reason behind his absence is he hasn’t officially signed his rookie contract. (H/t Will Gottlieb of CHGO)

Gottlieb wrote about the decision in an article for CHGO.

“To be clear, I don’t really blame Phillips for his decision,” Gottlieb wrote. “If he hasn’t put pen to paper yet, I understand wanting to play it safe and not risk his health for free. Instead, I’m extremely confused about why the Chicago Bulls wouldn’t have prioritized signing him before the start of the summer league. Getting him on the floor ASAP should be a priority for the front office, and the expectation shouldn’t have been for his agency to be totally fine playing without a formal contract in place.”

It makes sense for Phillips to sit out until he is officially signed on with the Bulls, but the anticipation for his debut is rapidly increasing in Bulls Nation.

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Bulls rookie Julian Phillips discussing entering NBA and biggest strengths

Chicago Bulls rookie Julian Phillips spoke about what it’s been like entering the NBA and what he will bring to the table for the Bulls.

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When the offseason began, the Chicago Bulls didn’t own a pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, they made sure to change that on the night of the draft, as they traded into the second round to select Tennessee forward Julian Phillips, adding a new young player to their roster.

The 19-year-old forward is 6-foot-8 and spent one season with the Volunteers. His near-seven-foot wingspan and impressive athleticism help him on the defensive side of the ball, and that’s where he could have the most potential. That’s where Phillips himself believes he can help the Bulls the most — on the defensive end.

Phillips spoke about what it feels like to be entering the league, as well as what his biggest strengths are during his first media availability session.

“Obviously getting used to the game,” Phillips said via Sam Smith of NBA.com. “Guys are bigger, faster and stronger (in the NBA). It’s a different game from college, so just getting a feel of it throughout the week and being able to progress. Definitely [I bring] a lot of versatility; that’s kind of my game. Defense, being able to guard multiple positions, get downhill. (I want to) get stronger and (work on) knocking down shots.”

He also said that he’s ready to work hard as he attempts to meet the Bulls’ expectations for him.

“They (Bulls) said they want me here and expect a lot from me. I’m ready to be here and work hard,” Phillips said.

Fans should definitely be keeping an eye on Phillips throughout summer league and beyond.

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Coach believes Bulls rookie Julian Phillips has defensive gifts

Chicago Bulls Summer League coach John Bryant had some high praise for rookie Julian Phillips, and fans should be excited.

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Heading into the offseason, the Chicago Bulls didn’t have any draft picks. They traded their first-rounder in the deal for Nikola Vucevic, and the two seconds they could have had were gone, too. One via trade and the other because the violated tampering rules when signing Lonzo Ball.

However, Chicago made a move on draft night, trading into the event to select Tennessee forward Julian Phillips. The 19-year-old rookie is set to appear in summer league for the Bulls, but he is already turning a lot of heads with his high-level defensive play, according to some of the coaches on the team.

According to Bulls assistant and summer league head coach John Bryant, who spoke with Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, Phillips has gifts on the defensive side of the ball.

“It’s too early to show it, but he has gifts,” Bryant said. “Honestly no one has really gotten by him in camp because he just is that gifted athletically. Now he just has to realize how he can use that as a superpower. I’ve only been around him four days, so it’s hard for me to make any hard statements. But, man, he is gifted defensively.”

Bryant also noted that Phillips has begun to come out of his shell a bit.

“He’s grown in four days and kind of come out of his shell, and it’s been fun to watch,” Bryant said. “I knew he was an athlete. He can run up and down the floor, he’s a good slasher, good driver. But it’s fun to see his personality come out.”

Bulls fans should be looking forward to watching Phillips in summer league.

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Bulls forward’s future with team impacted by rookie Julian Phillips

This Chicago Bulls forward’s future with the team could be in jeopardy thanks to rookie Julian Phillips.

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The Chicago Bulls have serious roster tweaking to do this summer if they hope to be a serious playoff contender next season. The core of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic is solid, but not quite there yet. Chicago needs to add talent around them to give the team a boost.

However, they need to worry about bringing their guys back first. Derrick Jones Jr. recently declined his player option, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. While the Bulls could try to bring him back, it seems unlikely.

According to Will Gottlieb of CHGO, Marc Eversley said Jones declining his option influenced the team’s decision to trade into the 2023 NBA draft and select Tennessee forward Julian Phillips.

“Eversley says DJJ turning down his option played “a bit of a factor for sure” in the trade for Julian Phillips,” Gottlieb tweeted.

The Bulls traded into the second round of the draft in a deal with the Washington Wizards, landing the 35th pick and using it to select Phillips.

The 19-year-old forward is 6-foot-8 and has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. Phillips has been praised for his athleticism and defensive presence, both of which Jones brought to the table.

However, Jones is only 6-foot-6, but he does have a seven-foot wingspan.

If the Bulls feel confident in Phillips’ ability to defend at an NBA level, they should feel comfortable letting Jones walk and rolling with the rookie in his place moving forward.

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