Chicago Bulls: 3 eventual free agents they gave up on too early

Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls (Photo credit should read JAMES NIELSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls (Photo credit should read JAMES NIELSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Spencer Dinwiddie, Chicago Bulls
Spencer Dinwiddie, Chicago Bulls (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

1. Spencer Dinwiddie, Point Guard

The final name on this list is a much different case than the previous two missed potential free agent signings for the Bulls within the last 30 years. Current Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie had a chance to become the eventual starter for the Bulls if the front office had stuck with him beyond a few Vegas Summer League, Training Camp, and preseason runs.

The Bulls originally landed their shot to have Dinwiddie work his way into the rotation during the 2016 offseason, when they snagged him from the Pistons for a return of Cameron Bairstow. They kept him around for their Summer League run, but waived him for the first of two occasions in July. The Bulls signed Dinwiddie back in the same offseason and month come July 28, 2016.

However, Dinwiddie didn’t last all that long either after landing with the Bulls for a second time in that same summer. The Bulls cut him prior to the start of the 2016-17 regular season, which wound up being a terrible move. Later that same year, Dinwiddie was a gem find for the Nets, who signed him to a multi-year contract.

While not every player that comes onto the Summer League roster is going to be a gem find for the Bulls, missing out on Dinwiddie serves as a lesson of patience and scouting for this new-look front office. Since signing with the Nets in December 2016, Dinwiddie has averaged just shy of 15 points per game and six assists.