In the last few days, we’ve seen the Chicago Bulls get some of the worst news of any team in the NBA since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in terms of player absences. The Bulls are now facing a situation like the Philadelphia 76ers did last season, missing more than half of their rotation thanks to the league’s health and safety protocol.
After the former Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets power forward Alize Johnson entered the league’s health and safety protocol on Dec. 13, the Bulls are now down to fewer than eight players available depending on a few things. The one varying factor here is whether third-year point guard Coby White and/or shooting guard/forward Javonte Green will be available on Dec. 14 against the division foe Detroit Pistons.
Chicago Bulls have some options out there to extend the bench depth
While it looks like the Bulls are pushing for a postponement for this meeting with the struggling Pistons at home at the United Center on Dec. 14, that might not be something the NBA is willing to do. The Bulls have requested a postponement already for this game, but it sounds like the league hasn’t taken any action on this yet.
And if the league went this long already without taking any action in the wake of all of these absences for the Bulls due to the health and safety protocol, it looks unlikely that they will push it. If the Bulls do need to play against the Pistons on the night of Dec. 14, they might have to go out and sign more players via the hardship exemption.
*Disclaimer, since this article was set to publish, the Bulls have their next two games postponed by the NBA.
Here’s a look into five more free agents that the Bulls could consider signing thanks to the hardship exemption if they do play this week.