Chicago Bulls: 4 early star free agent targets to watch

Early stars to watch for the Chicago Bulls in free agency: Kawhi Leonard

It was a similar narrative and what if scenario for the Los Angeles Clippers out in the Western Conference in the postseason this year as it was for the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference. Nets fans will be left wondering what could’ve been if some of the team’s top stars such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, were fully healthy throughout the playoffs.

The Nets were one overtime and one-KD foot stepping on the three-point line away from beating the eventual NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the playoffs.

Moreover, the Clippers were able to make it pretty far in the postseason without the services of superstar forward Kawhi Leonard. Instead, head coach Ty Lue and the Clippers relied very heavily upon namely star forward Paul George and some on point guard Reggie Jackson.

Making it as far as the Clippers did without the services of Kawhi was very impressive. The Clippers really challenged the eventual Western Conference Champion Phoenix Suns in the conference finals. But it just wasn’t enough for the Clippers to get over the hump into the NBA Finals for the second year in a row. This time, missing Kawhi really did it in for the Clippers.

Most odds would likely favor Kawhi to re-sign with the Clippers this summer after he declined his player option (worth around $36 million for next season) this week. Kawhi could sign a lengthier deal if he’s happy with the Clippers. But if he wants to look elsewhere, then we’re about to witness the most hotly contested free agent pursuit of the summer with Kawhi.

And if that’s the case this summer, then the Bulls should clearly be one of the multiple teams inquiring about Kawhi’s interest in coming here.