Chicago Bulls: 3 players on the best value contracts for 2020-21 season

2) Chicago Bulls value contracts in 20-21

Daniel Gafford, Center

Rookie contracts, especially among former second round draft picks, can definitely turn out to be steals for any team that really hits on one. In the case of the Bulls, that’s the bucket that the contract of the second-year former Arkansas Razorbacks 6-foot-10 and 235 pound 22-year-old center Daniel Gafford falls into.

The 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft by GarPax for the Bulls turned out to be one of the true hidden gems in that entire class up to this point. Gafford was nothing but efficient and steady for the Bulls since first landing in the Windy City heading into last season. He made an immediate impact for this frontcourt rotation, and continues to hold a niche off the bench.

The Bulls still have Gafford on his rookie contract through the end of the 2022-23 season. And there’s not a single year where his base salary will make him more than $2 million. That is an absolute steal for the Bulls given the type of production and efficiency Gafford gives them on almost a nightly basis.

So far this season, Gafford has played in a dozen games for the Bulls (none of which he’s started in), averaging around 14 minutes on the floor per game. And he’s averaged 5.4 points per game, 2.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks. That makes Gafford’s averages at per 36 minutes very impressive: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2 steals, and 3.5 blocks.