Category: Bulls Free Agency

Bulls could lose Andre Drummond in the offseason

The Chicago Bulls are expected to lose Andre Drummond once the free agency period begins in the summer.

Andre Drummond could leave the Chicago Bulls during the offseason. The veteran big man is heading into unrestricted free agency and could garner interest from multiple teams around the NBA. Drummond was almost traded to the Philadelphia 76ers at the Feb. 8 trade deadline before the Bulls pulled out of the deal.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times has reported that Drummond is expected to move on from Chicago this summer despite his legitimate impact when checking into games off the bench. Drummond averaged 8.4 points and 9 rebounds per game while shooting 55.6% from the field.

“What remains to be seen, however, is what direction do the Bulls go? Do they prepare for DeMar DeRozan possibly leaving in free agency or if he does return — the more likely scenario — draft his heir apparent at the small forward position?” Cowley wrote. “Do they grab a big to replace the expected vacancy with Andre Drummond looking for a new team, as well as some youth to push starter Nikola Vucevic?”

Drummond will likely field offers from multiple contending teams throughout the summer. His size and rebounding ability will be a major draw for teams that are looking to shore up their defense and like to control the tempo of games.

Nevertheless, the Bulls may need to start shopping around for a new backup center, as Adama Sanogo is also set to hit the (restricted) free-agent market. The upcoming free agent period projects will be interesting for the Bulls.

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Are the rumors that the Oklahoma City Thunder are interested in Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams true?

If they are, this is a scenario some fans of the team think that the Bulls’ front office absolutely cannot screw up.

Are the rumors that the Oklahoma City Thunder are interested in Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams true? If they are, this is a scenario some fans of the team think that the Bulls’ front office absolutely cannot screw up.

Concerns that Chicago could see yet another talented young player walk out the door for nothing are understandable given the lack of action to prevent such a thing in the recent past by Bulls general manager Arturans Karnisovas and company. Could it end up happening once again with Williams’ free agency, or have they learned from their (many) mistakes in that regard?

The folks behind the “Bulls Central” YouTube channel took some time to put together a new clip making such a case themselves.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about Williams as an Oklahoma City-bound free agency flight threat this offseason.

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Bulls predicted to retain DeMar DeRozan in free agency

Will DeMar DeRozan return to the Chicago Bulls in free agency?

The Chicago Bulls need to figure out what direction they want to go in this summer. One of the biggest decisions they need to make is whether or not to bring back DeMar DeRozan. Aaron Kellerstrass of Pippen Ain’t Easy believes there is a 90% chance that DeRozan ends up coming back to Chicago next year.

“The Bulls are in a tough situation here, as DeRozan is the heart of the team, their best player and they can’t let him walk for nothing,” Kellerstrass wrote. “But he’s also soon to be 35 years old, so Chicago can’t go crazy with the years in whatever contract they offer him. DeRozan has expressed interest in staying and that seems to be mutual, so I expect them to work out a deal. However, if DeRozan wanted to go chase a ring with a team like Philly, they have cap space and could come sniffing around if they strike out on other targets.

“Unless the Bulls pull off an unlikely sign-and-trade, DeRozan will probably be in Chicago next season.”

Depending on the price, bringing back DeRozan is a pretty “meh” choice for the Bulls.

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Will Patrick Williams re-sign with the Chicago Bulls in free agency?

Could the Chicago Bulls lose Patrick Williams in free agency?

The Chicago Bulls have a bunch of big choices to make in free agency this year. Chief among them is what to do with DeMar DeRozan, but Patrick Williams is a restricted free agent. Will he be back? Aaron Kellerstrass of Pippen Ain’t Easy believes there is a 55% chance Williams will be back in Chicago next year.

“This might be the toughest one on the list, as they can’t overpay to keep Williams, but don’t want to lose a 22-year-old wing player with upside for nothing,” Kellerstrass wrote. “The Bulls will have to extend the qualifying offer ($13 million) to make Williams a restricted free agent, and even that is a risk, as he might just accept it.

“There are also teams with cap space like the Pistons who might try to pry Williams away by making him an offer the Bulls don’t want to match. This one is in Chicago’s control, as they can match any offer, but how high do they really want to go for a guy who has yet to live up to his potential? A deal in the 4 years/$50 million range might be the minimum it will take for him to stay in Chicago.”

Losing Williams for nothing would be ugly for the Bulls.

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Andre Drummond could end up leaving Bulls in free agency

Will the Chicago Bulls lose Andre Drummond in free agency this offseason?

Free agency will be an interesting time for the Chicago Bulls as they look to potentially reshape their roster. One guy who could leave is Andre Drummond, who will be an unrestricted free agent. Aaron Kellerstrass of Pippen Ain’t Easy believes that there is only a 25% chance that Drummond is back in Chicago next year.

“Drummond had a good year for the Bulls, so there may be some interest in bringing him back, but it’s going to cost more than $3.3 million,” Kellerstrass wrote. “Drummond established himself as one of the better backup centers in the league, and while his next contract won’t break the bank, he is still only 30 and can likely find a more lucrative long-term deal from someone.

“The Bulls need depth at center, and I’m sure they’d love to bring Drummond back at the right price, but with other teams out there with cap space and needs of their own, Drummond may find a better deal than the one the Bulls are willing to offer.”

Drummond has played well during his time with the Bulls, but it would make sense for both parties to move on.

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Torrey Craig predicted as most likely Bulls free agent to leave

It seems likely that Torrey Craig will move on from the Chicago Bulls.

The Chicago Bulls have a few guys who could end up leaving in free agency this year. Aaron Kellerstrass of Pippen Ain’t Easy wrote an article predicting the likelihood of each of them coming back. He believes that Torrey Craig only has a 10% chance of returning to Chicago – the lowest percentage of the bunch.

“Craig can opt out of the final year of his deal and hit free agency,” wrote Kellerstrass. “He has to make his decision by June 29th and is likely waiting to size up his options. At 33-years-old, Craig may look for a better situation for minutes and/or a run at a title, or he could opt out in search of one last multi-year deal.

“Craig can likely get more from some other team and the Bulls may let him.”

During his time in Chicago, Craig dealt with a ton of injuries, and he just doesn’t seem like a long-term part of the Bulls’ future.

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Chicago Bulls predicted to lose DeMar DeRozan in free agency

Could the Chicago Bulls lose DeMar DeRozan in free agency?

The Chicago Bulls roster could look a lot different next season. Most notably, star forward DeMar DeRozan will be a free agent, and Chicago could lose him for nothing. In fact, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report predicts that just that will happen: The Bulls will lose DeRozan in free agency.

“A full-scale reboot is long overdue for the Chicago Bulls, and that includes moving or losing Nikola Vučević and DeMar DeRozan. The latter, despite turning 35 in August and having a career 29.6 three-point percentage, could have some interest around the league as a second or third option, or more ideally, a heat-check scorer off the bench.

“In fact, there might even be a contender in the mix for him. According to [HoopsHype’s Michael] Scotto, “one team worth monitoring as a potential suitor for DeRozan via sign-and-trade is the Los Angeles Clippers, should the franchise fail to re-sign Paul George in free agency…” Functionally replacing George with DeRozan could cramp up the Clippers’ offense, but he’d get better looks in L.A., playing off of Kawhi Leonard and (presumably) James Harden. And if Chicago can get any value for DeRozan in a sign-and-trade rather than losing him in free agency for nothing, it should jump at the chance.”

Losing DeRozan for nothing after failing to trade him this past year would be brutal.

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Patrick Williams floated as dream free agency target for Raptors

Would Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams make sense for the Toronto Raptors?

The Chicago Bulls have a few different things to focus on this summer. DeMar DeRozan’s free agency is the most obvious, but Patrick Williams is also going to be a restricted free agent. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report sees him as a potential dream free agency target for the Toronto Raptors.

“The Toronto Raptors’ plan to get younger around Scottie Barnes and add more shooting should continue this summer,” Swartz wrote. “Patrick Williams would be an intriguing target to pursue. The 22-year-old hasn’t blossomed as expected during his four seasons with the Chicago Bulls, yet he has always been a talented three-point shooter. Williams has a career 41.0 percent mark from three across 213 regular-season games.

“Since Williams is able to play and defend either forward position, putting him next to Barnes in the frontcourt would give Toronto a big, versatile combination years away from their respective primes. Toronto would need to make Williams a sizable offer for Chicago not to match an offer sheet in restricted free agency, or the two sides could agree to a sign-and-trade.”

Should the Bulls re-sign Williams? Or does it all depend on the price?

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DeMar DeRozan listed as Lakers dream free agency target this summer

Could the Los Angeles Lakers steal DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls in free agency?

The Chicago Bulls have some big-time decisions to make this summer, and one of them revolves around whether or not to re-sign DeMar DeRozan. Other teams could try to steal him away. According to Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, DeRozan could be a dream free agency target for the Los Angeles Lakers.

“This is quite a pipe dream, especially since DeMar DeRozan could make eight times as much money by returning to the Chicago Bulls next season,” Swartz wrote. “Still, DeRozan himself hasn’t ruled out signing with the Los[lawrence-auto-related count=3] Angeles Lakers, who were his favorite team while he grew up in Compton, California.

“For a player who’s made over a quarter-billion dollars in his NBA career (not counting endorsements), taking the Lakers’ $5.2 million taxpayer MLE and joining LeBron James (a potential free agent himself), Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and others on a Lakers team packed with talent may be appealing for DeRozan. DeRozan might not be a perfect fit, but he is easily the most talented player whom the Lakers would have a chance at signing with their taxpayer MLE.”

If DeRozan signed with the Lakers, he would get a chance to play for one of his home-town teams.

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Shooting listed as one of Chicago Bulls top needs this offseason

The Chicago Bulls need to add some three-point shooting to their roster this summer.

The Chicago Bulls are firmly stuck in the middle. But regardless if they want to plan for the future or push for the postseason, they need to add three-point shooting to the roster. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report listed shooting as one of the Bulls’ top needs this summer.

“The Bulls seemingly leaned heavily onto the offensive end when they pinned their hopes to the trio of DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević,” Buckley wrote. “Then, they watched Coby White take silver in the Most Improved Player voting largely on the strength of his offensive ascension. And yet, this offense has been totally underwhelming. The Bulls landed just 19th in efficiency on the game’s glamour end this season, per NBA.com, and that was actually an improvement from last season.

“There are different factors behind this inefficiency, but one that’s both obvious and hard to overcome is a general lack of shooting. Few Bulls attempt threes at a high volume—White and LaVine were the only ones with five-plus attempts per game—and not enough convert them at a high clip. Vučević’s regression in this department (40 percent in 2020-21, 32 since) has been an absolute space-killer for a team that didn’t have a ton of breathing room to begin with.”

Chicago needs to bring in some three-point shooting to help Coby White or whoever they roll into next season with.

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