Bulls rumors are starting to emerge concerning looming free agents, including some of the bigger names like fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen and former Boston Celtics center Daniel Theis. Both Theis and Markkanen saw their names show up in various rumors of late.
Markkanen is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason with his rookie deal expiring. Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley had the chance to hand Markkanen a contract extension last offseason, but nothing wound up getting done.
And Theis is set to become an unrestricted free agent with his current contract running up this offseason. He was paid around $5 million annually on the original deal he signed with the Celtics back in the 2019 offseason.
Mitch Kupchak said yesterday that he could see adding multiple centers this off-season. A name I've heard might be on that list of options: Free agent-to-be Daniel Theis.
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) May 21, 2021
But according to a report on the Twitter timeline of Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer back on May 21, the Charlotte Hornets are likely interested in pursuing Theis in free agency this summer. The Hornets are reportedly looking to add “multiple centers this offseason”.
Bulls Rumors showing interest in C Daniel Theis around the NBA
The Bulls got a lot of value out of Theis after bringing him over from the Celtics at the trade deadline. They got him and shooting guard Javonte Green in the deal that saw center Luke Kornet land in Boston.
Theis became a huge part of the frontcourt rotation for first-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls down the stretch during the regular season. He could still be a solid big man that plays well alongside the likes of forward Patrick Williams, star center Nikola Vucevic, and veteran forward Thaddeus Young, among others, heading into next season.
It also likely wouldn’t cost Karnisovas and the Bulls all that much to re-sign Theis this offseason. If he costs them anywhere close to the amount that the Celtics signed him down to two offseasons ago, it should be a done deal to bring him back this summer.
The Bulls are set to see a good amount of their frontcourt depth continue to leave this summer, depending on who they re-sign. And Karnisovas already shipped off third-year center Wendell Carter Jr., second-year center Daniel Gafford, and Kornet, at the trade deadline this year. The frontcourt depth will be something the front office must address this offseason.
Given that, it makes a ton of sense for the Bulls to bring back Theis this offseason. They should do all they can to make sure that the 6-foot-8 and 245 pound 29-year-old big man doesn’t walk in free agency and land with an Eastern Conference foe like the Hornets.