The looming cycle of free agency is going to be big for the Chicago Bulls as the front office looks to take that next step forward in their path to reshaping this roster into more of a contender. First-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls wound up finishing up the regular season with a record of 31-41 following their May 16 win at home at the United Center over the Milwaukee Bucks.
In their regular season finale, the Bulls got to play a lot of players that are impending free agents. As a whole, free agency looks to play a much larger role in how the Bulls handle the offseason this year than it did last.
A major focal point of how the Bulls construct the roster this offseason, in particular, will be on how they are able to build around the star duo of shooting guard Zach LaVine and center Nikola Vucevic. LaVine and Vooch are the foundation that the Bulls can build this roster around, and provides them a path to contender status in the near future.
Free agency emphasizing Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic for the Chicago Bulls
Since both LaVine and Vooch are under contract for at least another year heading into the offseason, they don’t have to worry about them hitting the free agent market in the immediate future. But LaVine’s current contract is up next offseason, so handing him a contract extension could also be a point to note.
Moreover, in the end-of-season player press conferences, it sounded like LaVine placed a major emphasis on wanting to stick around in Chicago if the right pieces are in place for him to contend. While that doesn’t necessarily mean that the front office needs to go out and land a bunch of stars this offseason, they do need to find the right supporting cast to put around their two stars.
Here’s a look into three looming free agents this offseason that the Bulls can target to help build around LaVine and Vooch.