It feels like just yesterday the Denver Nuggets claimed the 2023 Larry O’Brien Trophy, but now the draft is already behind us and we’re now on the brink of free agency and the NBA Summer League. Now that the Chicago Bulls are just over a week removed from taking Las Vegas by storm, it’s only fitting that they have now officially announced this year’s Summer League roster.
Last year, Marko Simonovic and Carlik Jones were undoubtedly the biggest surprises of the event for Chicago. Simonovic appeared to be ready to make a breakthrough, averaging 15.6 points and 8.8 rebounds en route to being named to the All-Summer League Second Team. Meanwhile, Jones proved to be the floor general that this roster sorely lacked, eventually playing himself into a two-way contract with the Bulls by the end of last season.
The Chicago Bulls formally unveiled their 13-man roster for the Las Vegas Summer League earlier today on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1674787835097014275?s=20
Lacking a clear leader, this year’s Bulls’ Las Vegas Summer League roster may prove to hold a few surprises.
After joining the team last year, Simonovic, Jones, and Ayo Dosunmu will sit this Summer League out and hand the reigns over to Dalen Terry, who will no doubt have the most pressure on his shoulders to showcase his abilities in a larger role. After averaging 19.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across three games in the G League last season, the Summer League will provide a perfect runway to minutes in the regular season if Dalen performs well.
The other highlights will no doubt be the pair of new rookies, Julian Phillips and Adama Sanogo, who could each easily find a solid role with the team if they excel here. Now that he’s healed up from his torn ACL injury, Justin Lewis will also get the chance to prove why he was touted as the best undrafted rookie just one year ago.
Among the other names to watch include former Bulls Summer League members Javon Freeman-Liberty and Henri Drell, the latter of whom I had the chance to interview ahead of the 2022 NBA Summer League.
If Tyree Appleby’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he starred in the ACC for Wake Forest this past season, before eventually working out for the Bulls ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft. Speaking of familiar names, former SEC All-Freshman and Sixth Man of the Year Jontay Porter looks to overcome an unfortunate string of injuries to finally join his brother Michael Porter Jr. in the NBA. If he proves to be a standout performer, I wouldn’t write him off just yet.
That rounds out the Chicago Bulls 2023 Summer League roster, make sure to tune in starting July 7 to see them in action on the court!