Outlets that the Chicago Bulls could turn to at this point to fill all the depth issues from various injuries could be the buyout or free agent market.
An unfortunate string of injuries for head coach Jim Boylen and the Chicago Bulls saw them miss four of their most important players at the top of the rotation and in the starting five. At this point of the regular season the Bulls needed their best players to be playing their best.
By now, the Bulls are missing power forward Lauri Markkanen, point guard Kris Dunn, small forward Otto Porter Jr., and center Wendell Carter Jr., all due to various ailments. It appears that Dunn could be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, and Markkanen is likely to miss at least another couple weeks to a month of game action.
WCJ and OPJ should be returning back to the Bulls rotation any day now. But Boylen and the Bulls medical staff should be very patient with any injuries they’re dealing with at this point in time. There is no reason to risk long-term injury problems with the best players on the roster when the Bulls are really starting to fade out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.
Moreover, the Bulls are now also missing small forward Chandler Hutchison due to that lingering shoulder problem he’s had since his rookie season. Rookie big man Daniel Gafford is just now working his way back from a thumb laceration and dislocation. Center Luke Kornet and shooting guard Denzel Valentine are still dealing with lingering injuries, although they appear to be active in the rotation.
With all these injuries mounting for the Bulls, could they make a move to add depth by way of a free agent signing from what’s left there and on the buyout market?
It is certainly a more viable option than trying to rush players back from injury too early.
Here’s a look into the three best options at the moment for the Chicago Bulls in free agency and by way of the buyout market.