NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls still have some business to conduct in free agency.
As things stand, the organization has three roster spots to fill (assuming the front office does not fully guarantee Carlik Jones’ contract for the 2023-24 season). One of those spots may still go to restricted free agent Ayo Dosunmu, but there are more questions about his future with the team than ever before. And, even if Dosunmu does return, there are still a couple of spots left to fill with Chicago creeping closer and closer to the luxury tax.
With that being the case, the assumption is that Arturas Karnisovas will have to add at least one or two players via a veteran minimum contract. So who is still available that could make sense for the team? Well, let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Familiar Faces
If we’re going to start anywhere, it might as well be with Derrick Jones Jr. and Javonte Green.
Both players remain without a new home for next season and appear headed toward a veteran minimum payday. Of corse it’s possible one (or both) walks away with a higher AAV, but the fact they’ve remained un-signed for this long doesn’t bode well.
Jones Jr., in particular, might be kicking himself. After initially stating that he planned to return to the team for the 2023-24 season and exercise his player option, he surprisingly chose the opposite and hit the open market. Was this because he knew his playing time could be at risk with Chicago seeking out more veteran role players? Possibly. But his versatility and experience playing alongside the team’s core may have given him the upper hand at times.
As for Green, he played pretty tremendous basketball for the Chicago Bulls during the 2021-22 season. While his 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds may not jump off the page, he proved to be the perfect kind of high-motor, dirty-work role player to place next to the team’s offensive-minded core. Green could guard multiple positions, consistently cut hard toward the basket, dive on the floor for loose balls, fly in for offensive rebounds, and frequently pull off a highlight slam in transition.
Unfortunately, Green also missed a large chunk of the 2022-23 season due to knee surgery. He was eventually cleared to play at the end of the season, but couldn’t find his way back into the rotation in time. The Bulls could have some concerns about Green’s health moving forward, but the more likely reason they haven’t jumped at the opportunity to re-sign him presumably revolves around his lack of shooting. Green isn’t a high-volume threat, and the Bulls already have two similarly energetic young players who struggle to shoot the ball sitting on their bench in Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips.
The familiarity of Jones Jr. and Green shouldn’t go understated, though. Particularly for a franchise that has harped on “continuity,” I don’t think it’s crazy to believe they could reconsider signing Jones Jr. or Green if they remain on the market. This is especially true when we look through some of the names that appear below. As far as potential rotation talent goes, Green and Jones Jr. might very well be two of the best players who could sign veteran minimum deals this summer.
But It Might Work for Us
For those confused, the title of this section is in reference to the scene in Arrested Development that has become a popular meme. David Cross’ character explains that, while he’s never seen an open marriage work for anyone, it could be the perfect solution for him and his wife.
So, yeah, while these players have struggled to work for anyone in the past, maybe they’ll work for the Chicago Bulls!
Justise Winslow (PF) – Struggling with a mix of injuries and inconsistency, Winslow is a multi-positional defender who can help crash the glass. While he can’t be trusted to be a consistent member of the rotation, especially when we consider his offensive inefficiency, he isn’t the worst name to have as your 14th-15th man.
Kevin Knox (SF) – Another swingman, Knox would at least provide the Bulls with further depth at the wing and a theoretical 3-point jumper.
Juan Toscano-Anderson (SF) – As a non-shooting threat, I don’t love JTA’s fit on this Chicago Bulls roster, but he does fit the Green-Derrick Jones Jr. mold of being an athletic and high-energy contributor who focuses on the little things.
Weynen Gabriel (PF) – Gabriel entered the NBA in 2019-20 and has already played for six teams. Still just 25 years old, however, he’s coming off the best season of his career with the Lakers, appearing in 68 games and shooting 59.6 percent from the field playing center.
Markeiff Morris (PF) – The long-time NBA vet has played for five teams since the start of the 2019-20 NBA season. He would undoubtedly provide some added toughness to the back of the bench, as well as a streaky 3-ball.
Kelly Oubre Jr. (SF) – I suppose it’s possible that Oubre signs a deal higher than the veteran minimum, but he also remains on the market for a reason. While he did average 20.3 points per game in his 48 appearances for the Charlotte Hornets last year, he chucked up nearly 17 shots per game and converted at just a 43.1 percent clip. If the Bulls want to add a scoring punch to their second unit, Oubre might be worth a call. But they also better be ready for some ice-cold nights and some frustrating decision-making.
Note: Christian Wood might fall into this category, too, but rumor has it the Bulls could look to sign him to something more than the veteran minimum …
Locker Room Guys
I’d consider each of these signings to be far more about their veteran presence and far less about what they can currently do on the basketball court.
Wes Matthews (SG) – Wes Matthews has seen plenty of winning throughout his career. Headed toward 37 years old and fresh off shooting just 36.3 percent from the floor last season, his time playing in the NBA is clearly nearing an end. Could he give some words of wisdom to Chicago before he calls a quits?
Terrence Ross (SF) – One of Nikola Vucevic’s close pals from Orlando, Ross would be the guy in this section who could see the most real minutes during the season. He’s only 32 years old and has shot 36.2 percent from downtown in his career. He’s really struggled defensively in recent years, but a change of scenery in a limited role could help get his career back on track.
James Johnson (PF) – Started his career in Chicago … time to end it here?
JaMychal Green (PF) – Playing on the Clippers, Nuggets, and Warriors the past four seasons, Green feels like a solid no-nonsense pro to have sitting on the bench. Playing at least 57 games in each season since 2018-19, he can be trusted with the kind of emergency minutes that are often needed throughout the year.
Boban Marjanovic (C) – FOR THE VIBESSSSS!!
Young Flyers
I hope the Chicago Bulls fill at least one of these final few roster spots with a youngster. At the end of the day, this league has so much talent, and this can oftentimes lead to certain players getting lost in the fold. You never know when things might finally click for someone, so it can’t hurt to take a gamble with that 15th roster spot!
Trendon Watford (PF) – If you’re someone who obsesses over the NBA, you were likely also surprised by Portland’s decision to let go of Watford. Just 22 years old, Watford has averaged a solid 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in his 110 games played (18.6 minutes per contest). He also just shot 56.0 percent from the field during the 2022-23 season. At six-foot-nine, 240 lbs, he could give Billy Donovan another player that can man both frontcourt spots. For the minimum, why not see if he can expand on what he did in Portland?
Hamidou Diallo (SG) – Just about to turn 25 years old, I’d say Diallo is another guy that can be thrown into that Green-DJJ category. He’s an extremely springy wing who can explode into the paint and has finished an increasingly high clip inside. With that said, most of his value is likely to come on the defensive end.
Terence Davis (SG) – While Davis has struggled to carve out a consistent role in the NBA thus far, I’m a bit surprised he’s currently unsigned. This is a guy who played 64 games for a very good Kings team last season and shot a decent 36.6 percent from behind the arc. It’s also not like he can’t defend. He may not be the most elite wing-stopper, but he can deflect some passes and has a decent build.
Lindy Waters III (SF) – A little-known name who has played his first two seasons with a rebuilding Thunder team, Waters III has shot a solid 36.0 percent on nearly 4.7 attempts per game so far in his career. He seemingly moves pretty well off the ball and has a knack for making the hustle plays. You can never have enough wings!
