3. Luke Kornet, Center
A good case exists for why all three of the major free agent signings from last offseason aren’t deserving of their current contracts with the Bulls. But there is at least a good level of proven production from veteran forward Thaddeus Young and combo guard Tomas Satoransky at their past landing spots around the NBA.
Sato was a very underrated and efficient guard when given the opportunity with the Washington Wizards. He wound up signing with the Bulls as part of a sign-and-trade deal to leave the Wizards last offseason. His current contract pays him around $10 million per year for three seasons.
And Young was solid for the Indiana Pacers in spots in each of the last three seasons. Young really hit a brick wall at a point under Boylen’s direction this season in the Windy City. His -1.1 box plus/minus rating, 0.4 value over replacement player rating, and .058 win shares per 48 minutes are some of the worst advanced metrics in any individual season of his lengthy career (second worst overall).
Young is sitting on a three-year contract worth just under $13 million per year in salary at the moment.
Moreover, the single worst free agent signings the Bulls made last offseason wound up being former New York Knicks center Luke Kornet. Missing a good bit of time this season and struggling often when he was healthy, Kornet played in 36 of the Bulls 65 games. He averaged 6.0 points per game, 2.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks.
Kornet shot 43.9 percent from the field, 28.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. That amounted to a 52.1 effective field goal percentage and a subpar 53.9 true shooting percentage. Even though the Bulls aren’t paying Kornet all that much (essentially signed a minimum deal last offseason), he’s not the best use of a roster spot to deepen the frontcourt rotation.