Chicago Bulls impending free agents most likely to return: Daniel Theis
One player that the Bulls’ front office should go all out to re-sign this offseason is the former Boston Celtics center and 29-year-old Daniel Theis. The 6-foot-8 and 245-pound big man Theis was arguably the second most impactful trade deadline acquisition by the Bulls front office back on March 25, behind star center Nikola Vucevic.
The Bulls got Theis from the Celtics, along with shooting guard Javonte Green, in exchange for center Luke Kornet and a few other pieces from the Wizards that moved around post-deadline day.
I would make an argument that the Bulls could find value out of re-signing both Green and Theis this offseason. But re-signing Theis should be the first focus for the front office, ahead of signing someone like Green to a minimum deal.
The type of production that Theis could give Donovan and the Bulls either in the starting unit, as a key part of the bench, is hard to match by some of the looming free agents this summer at the center position. And if Theis is willing to take a deal with the Bulls for two or three years worth $7-$8 million annually or less, the front office should do that right away.
Theis was a good fit in the Bulls’ frontcourt unit alongside the likes of Young, Vooch, fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen, etc. And with how much frontcourt depth the Bulls are set to lose by the summer (since the deadline), they really do need to bring someone that offers them value like Theis does back heading into next season.