The Bulls are set on bringing the gang back.
The Chicago Bulls vice president Arturas Karnisovas gave up several young players and high draft picks to acquire versatile big man Nikola Vucevic in 2020. So, regardless of the results over the last two seasons, the Bulls will look to do all they can to re-sign Vucevic this offseason. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report says this task is high on the Bulls’ to-do list this offseason.
Solid interior presence
Despite calls for the team to retool or even rebuild the roster, the Bulls’ brass is determined to bring the team’s “Big 3” of Vucevic, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan back. DeRozan still has one more season left on his three-year contract, while LaVine is signed to a long-term deal. That leaves Vucevic, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Vucevic’s defensive deficiencies are well-known. And so is his penchant for racking up double-doubles in nearly every game. That kind of production is hard to come by.
“The Chicago Bulls have been in the neighborhood of mediocrity over the last two years, which might suggest they should be willing to move on from unrestricted free agent Nikola Vučević, but talent is talent. Letting it walk for nothing is a bad idea, and that’s apparently what Artūras Karnišovas reportedly thinks,” Bailey wrote.
Expand on the fringes
With the way things are going, the Bulls are going to be a top-heavy team once again next season. This leaves them with a need to expand their depth and fill out the roster with low-cost players who can contribute off the bench. Whether that’s an athletic big man or a deadeye shooter, the Bulls should be on the lookout for bargain players that can prove to be valuable in a more limited role.
