Day-by-day we continue to figure what the Chicago Bulls’ roster will look like heading into next season. In the midst of the early portion of the schedule in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, a few key names are coming to the forefront for the Bulls this week. One of those aforementioned names to watch in Summer League is the former KK Mega Bemax big man Marko Simonovic.
The 44th overall pick for the Bulls in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft made his Summer League debut with the Bulls on Aug. 9. And he signed a contract to officially join the Bulls roster next season. This is a notable addition for the Bulls frontcourt unit heading into next season.
Arturas Karnisovas taking to the draft-and-stash approach last year with Simonovic will soon be put to the test. He showed out in impressive fashion in some limited minutes for the Bulls in his Summer League debut in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans by the final score of 94-77 on the afternoon of Aug. 9.
Simonovic was efficient for the Bulls in roughly 15 minutes played in his Summer League debut. He registered an impressive 13 points, five rebounds, no assists, one steal, and no blocks. And he shot 4-of-6 from the field, 0-of-1 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Marko Simonovic impressive in his Summer League debut
There were a lot of encouraging signs that Simonovic showed in his Summer League debut. And he’ll continue to get the chance to prove himself in favor of the front office and coaching staff heading into next season.
If Simonovic continues to play well for the Bulls in Summer League, that is a great sign for head coach Billy Donovan heading into Training Camp and the preseason. Simonovic could be a key part of the frontcourt rotation, and he has a good opportunity to learn this coming season under star center Nikola Vucevic.
Between the minutes he could get at the four and the five, Simonovic could wind up getting playing time in more than half of the regular season games during the 2020-21 campaign. That’s why it is important for Bulls fans to pay attention to his progress during Summer League.
Simonovic and the Bulls will now carry a record of 0-1 into the next Summer League meeting, which comes on Aug. 10 against the San Antonio Spurs. Tip-off time between the Bulls and Spurs in this second Summer League matchup for Chicago is set to come at 8 p.m. CT, televised on NBA TV.