Free agency might provide opportunities and threats for the Bulls at the center position.
The front office of the Chicago Bulls has a lot on their plate right now. The current roster composition was obviously not good enough to make the NBA Playoffs, leaving the team’s decision-makers with a challenge to perform some roster gymnastics. One of the glaring needs seems to be at the center position. Currently, the Bulls only have veteran Andre Drummond and third-year big man Marko Simonovic, although the former has a player option, and it remains to be seen whether he will stay with the team. So, what are the Bulls’ options this offseason?
Who will play center for the Chicago Bulls?Read MoreRe-sign Nikola Vucevic
Nikola Vucevic just concluded the last season of a four-year, $100 million contract, making him an unrestricted free agent who will surely have his list of suitors. Vucevic has publicly stated the Bulls will have a fair chance of re-signing him, but it will all depend on the outcome of conversations he will have with the team’s brass.
‘‘The Bulls will have priority,’’ Vucevic said during the exit interviews. ‘‘I would like to stay here, but that’s on the front office to decide and work with my agent on the contract part. And also I’ll talk to them about their vision and plan and things like that.’’
Vucevic admitted to struggles with adjusting in the early stages of his Bulls’ stint, as he still had to learn his spots, especially with high-usage players like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine on the squad. This past season, Vucevic averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds and was once again one of the league leaders in double-doubles.
Sign a free agent
The free agent market will include several talented big men. Aside from Vucevic, there’s also Brook Lopez, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jakob Poeltl. Can the Bulls snag any of these players? Lopez will probably stay with the Bucks, where he has a prominent role on both ends of the floor on a team that is contending for an NBA title. Porzingis has a player option with the Washington Wizards worth $36 million, while Poetl is an unrestricted free agent who will no doubt be looking to cash in on his solid season with the Spurs and the Raptors.
Could the Bulls sign any of these free agents? Another pressing question is, do they have the resources to offer a lucrative deal? It’s not impossible, but pulling off a deal will take some front-office wizardry.
