Kilpatrick gets to audition
HOUSTON— Sean Kilpatrick found himself in a very familiar situation Tuesday.
Yes, the journeyman inked a three- year, $ 6.2 million deal with two years non- guaranteed, and he’ll get a chance to audition for the Bulls over the remainder of the season. But, as he put it, “Every game in this league is an audition.’’
“That’s how I looked at things, and that’s how I viewed things since I got into this league, and that’s why I think I’ve had some type of success in that area,’’ Kilpatrick said. “The more and more you can continue to keep challenging yourself, the better you are. Everything is a game inside a game in this league. That’s what I want to continue to keep doing, and like I said, the more I keep challenging myself, the better I am.’’
The 28- year- old guard averaged 13.1 points per game last season with the Nets and was bouncing around the league this season until the Bulls nabbed him.
The Bulls benefit by using the midlevel exception, leaving their trade exceptions from the Jimmy Butler, Jameer Nelson and Nikola Mirotic deals in play. Kilpatrick benefits from another look.
“I’ve always liked Sean,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said. “In talking to people that have been around him the last couple years, they say he’s an awesome kid, great teammate, hard worker, he picks things up quickly, and I’ve always loved his ability to get hot and shoot the ball. He can go on streaks where he shoots the ball extremely well, so we’re excited to have Sean be a part of this.’’
Still in play
Though Kris Dunn ( toe) and Zach LaVine ( left knee tendinitis) missed another game, Hoiberg believes both will return before the season ends.
That’s more likely for Dunn, whom Hoiberg would like to see get a few more games under his belt entering the offseason training program the team has prepared.
“They’re all feeling a little bit better, Dunn especially,’’ Hoiberg said. “He’s had a good couple days with the rest. Obviously, he’s getting to a point now where we’re going to have to recondition him to get him back into game shape if he is able to put weight on that foot. So we’ll see.’’