Chicago Bulls: 3 big decisions for AK to make this offseason

Big offseason decisions for AK and the Chicago Bulls: Which big men to bring back?

It seems like the talk of the town right now for the Bulls has to do with the looming contract situation with fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen. The recently turned 24-year-old seven-footer is about to hit restricted free agency, which could be the first time he’s signed with a team that’s not the Bulls.

The writing on the wall is there that Karnisovas and the Bulls might be looking elsewhere this offseason to fill a void in their frontcourt rotation. In all likelihood, it will cost more to sign Markkanen this offseason than he cost the Bulls during the latter years of his rookie deal. He is due starter-level money in restricted free agency this summer.

And the other big man that Karnisovas and the Bulls need to make a contract decision on this summer is the former Celtic Theis. As maybe the most underrated of the Bulls’ deadline acquisitions, Theis was huge for this frontcourt rotation down the stretch. His return would be welcome heading into next season.

The last contract that Theis signed was with the Celtics, for two years worth a total of $10 million. He’s likely to get at least a decent pay raise this offseason. But if the Bulls can manage to keep his next contract in the seven digits, then it would be a good value signing for the frontcourt rotation to have such a valuable piece return for the 2021-22 campaign.