Andre Drummond just saved the Bulls from a troublesome offseason

Although the Chicago Bulls entered this offseason with no centers under a guaranteed contract beyond this past season, the front office has quickly set to amending that issue here ahead of free agency. Just one day after Nikola Vucevic signed his new three-year contract extension, Andre Drummond has reportedly accepted his player option to return to the Bulls next season.

Drummond is set to earn $3.36 million in the upcoming season before once again hitting unrestricted free agency in 2024. With the Bulls once again ranking as one of the worst rebounding teams on the boards this past year, this could be a make-or-break season for Drummond to prove his niche is still valuable in today’s NBA.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to break the news of Drummond’s imminent return to the Windy City.

Following Andre Drummond’s decision to opt in for the 2023-24 season, the Chicago Bulls’ rotation already looks much stronger.

Following news of Nikola Vucevic’s extension and the fact Derrick Jones Jr. had already backed out of his player option for next season, much doubt surrounded Drummond’s future with the team. Fortunately, his return means Chicago’s center rotation for next season will be locked in, allowing the front office to dedicate their full attention to addressing this team’s biggest holes.

With the best rebounder in the league locked up for at least one more season, Chicago can now prioritize adding the shooting it so desperately needs. It seems the front office is already on top of this, as reports have rumored the Bulls hold interest in free agent sharpshooters such as Donte DiVincenzo and Georges Niang. As we progress through free agency, we’re sure to have more names pop up on the radar.

Now that Vucevic and Drummond are re-upped for next season, here’s a list of the Bulls’ remaining outgoing free agents:

• Coby White (restricted)
• Ayo Dosunmu (restricted)
• Derrick Jones Jr.
• Javonte Green
• Patrick Beverley
• Terry Taylor (restricted)
• Justin Lewis