7 Potential Chicago Bulls free agent targets with ties to Zach LaVine
By Tyler Watts
5. Robin Lopez
The Bulls could be searching for two new centers this offseason. Starter Nikola Vucevic is an unrestricted free agent that is free to sign with any team. Chicago is expected to bring him back, but things can change quickly in free agency. Andre Drummond has a $3.3 million player option for next season, and he could decide to enter free agency.
Lopez was traded to the Bulls in 2016 in the deal that sent Derrick Rose to the Knicks, and he spent three years in Chicago before joining the Bucks in free agency in 2019. RoLo helped the Bulls make the playoffs in 2017, which has happened just twice in the last nine years. Zach LaVine loved playing with the seven-footer, and he would certainly welcome a reunion.
Lopez is nearing the end of his career, but the 35-year-old offers experience at the end of the bench. He can still be impactful as a rebounder and screen-setter in a limited role. He averaged just 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game as the third-string center for Cleveland this season, but he can still play 15 minutes a night if necessary.
Robin Lopez will be searching for a minimum contract this offseason, and the Chicago Bulls could bring him back as a cheap option off the bench.