Due in large part to the success the Chicago Bulls found by employing a variety of different lineups, we did not actually get to see much of one of the more interesting developments of the preseason unfold on the court over the last four games. The development I’m referring to, of course, is Kostas Antetokounmpo‘s campaign for the team’s final two-way roster spot.
Even if elder siblings Giannis and Thanasis had been around for the final preseason contest against in Milwaukee, it’s still unlikely we would have gotten a family reunion on the court, as Kostas logged just 11 total minutes for the Bulls. In that time, Kostas scored 4 points on 2-for-3 shooting and contributed 5 rebounds and an assist.
Watching him play, it’s easy to see how Kostas could become an imposing force on the defensive end; but seeing as how he’s set to turn 25 years old next month, it’s unclear if he’ll ever be able to fulfill his potential. With incumbent forward Malcolm Hill and Summer League standout Carlik Jones also vying for the final roster spot, Kostas’ case for the full roster isn’t nearly strong enough to assume what the front office will ultimately decide.
Now that the Bulls have completed their preseason schedule, it will ultimately come down to each player’s performance in training camp. Rosters are set to lock on October 17 at 5 p.m. EST, meaning we should hear news of the team’s decision any day now.
Will the Chicago Bulls cut Kostas Antetokounmpo before the season begins?
After waiving Javon Freeman-Liberty on October 8, it appears that the Bulls are unwilling to waste anyone’s time at this point in the process. The fact that a decision has taken this long to materialize in the first place is a clear indicator of just how close this race has really been.
Each player has a strong case for the job, with Hill’s pre-established chemistry and Illinois roots, Jones appearing to be the most well-rounded and skilled player of the bunch, and Antetokounmpo possessing the most potential to develop further, at least on paper.
In a Q&A with Bulls beat reporter K.C. Johnson, Kostas elaborated on the pressure of this whole process.
"“[The Bulls] haven’t given me any promises. It’s just an Exhibit 10, training camp deal. We’ll see from there… I just stay the course, try to get better, try to help the team as much as I can. Everything is meant to be. If you get it, you get it. If you don’t, move on to the next opportunity. The goal is just to get better. When I’m said and done, I’m going to say I became the best player I could.”"
It would certainly help his case if he became the best version of himself sooner rather than later, since the preseason didn’t do much to give fans hope for his cause. Here’s how Kostas’ total preseason stats stack up against his primary competition:
- Antetokounmpo: 11 MIN, 4 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 3 TOV, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3P,
- Carlik Jones: 23 MIN, 4 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 1 TOV, 2-8 FG, 0-1 3P
- Malcolm Hill: 13 MIN, 13 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 0 TOV, 5-10 FG, 2-6 3P
The fact that Hill outplayed Kostas and Carlik received by far the most play time of the trio could be a sign to be concerned, but it could just as likely be dismissed as a few lucky games. If Kostas is going to make this roster, he’s going to have had to earn it during training camp.
We can’t know for sure if he’ll be cut from the roster when it’s all said and done, but until then, we’ll continue rooting for the fan favorite to earn a contract and become hopefully just the first Antetokounmpo brother to ever don a Chicago Bulls jersey.