7. Bobby Portis
Bobby Portis is another former Bulls star believed to serve as the heart and the soul of the team. He was drafted by the Bulls in 2015 only to be traded last season to the Washington Wizards.
Portis had a promising start to his professional career. He was the type of big man who could play power forward and center, if need be. Portis is a lot to handle whether playing from beyond the arc or inside the paint.
What’s more is Portis is willing to start or come off the bench. Defining roles does not appear to have a way of altering the way he approaches the game, which is refreshing. The Bulls always knew what they were getting when Portis took to the floor.
At the same time, some of Portis’ success was arguably clouded by negative headlines generated about an altercation with then-teammate Nikola Mirotic. It was a rocky time for the Bulls organization. Many believed the team was enamored with Portis so much they wouldn’t let him walk away in free agency.
As the trade deadline neared, things took a turn. Portis was sent packing to the Wizards as part of a multi-player deal.
A short time later, Portis signed a huge contract with the New York Knicks in free agency. The move also allowed him to reconnect with another former Bull, Gibson.
As his career statistics show, Portis is averaging 10.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.