3 former Bulls players worth bringing back in 2022 NBA free agency

2. Otto Porter Jr.

it’s quite ironic — and a little frustrating — to see the Warriors extract more value out of Otto Porter Jr. for $2.4 million than the Bulls got from him for the roughly $50 million he was paid during his time in Chicago.

Porter Jr.’s time in the Windy City was a constant struggle against injuries. It felt like every time Otto saw the floor the Bulls would start to develop some continuity and play better, just for it to all come crashing down again. OPJ would only play in a total of 54 games for the Bulls across the three years he was on the team.

After taking some time to get his body right, Porter Jr. would go on to join up with Golden State and play 63 games. He averaged a very efficient 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game off the bench, doing the small things necessary to help elevate the Warriors to yet another championship.

While he may have once been a max contract player, going to Golden State on a veteran’s minimum forced OPJ to humble himself and play the role the team needed to succeed. That version of Porter Jr. is very valuable in today’s NBA.

The Bulls wouldn’t need Otto to be the player he once was, just to be the best version of himself now. The only obstacle to a reunion here may be that he played himself into a bigger payday by winning his first ring, a price tag the Chicago Bulls may not be able to afford this summer.