After bringing Nikola Vucevic back to be the starting center for next year and restocking the backcourt rotation with Coby White, Jevon Carter, and Ayo Dosunmu, the Chicago Bulls have only one clear hole left to address: their forward depth. Fortunately, several talented forwards remain ripe for the picking, including the two best unsigned free agents at this moment.
Whether or not the Bulls use Lonzo Ball’s Disabled Player Exception, sign a player to the veteran minimum to avoid the luxury tax, or even execute a sign-and-trade to fill that last roster spot, I’m confident Chicago can add a real contributor no matter what. There are plenty of players worth a good, hard look, but I’d like to highlight the 8 best (in my opinion) forwards remaining on the free agent market.
But first, let’s look over a few honorable mentions. Although these players could certainly still vie for a spot in the NBA, they probably aren’t anything worth Bulls fans getting excited over. Chicago could certainly do worse, but let’s hope the front office aims a little higher for their final free agency signing.
Honorable Mentions: Justise Winslow, Markieff Morris, Blake Griffin, KZ Okpala, Stanley Johnson, Taj Gibson, Terry Taylor, Noah Vonleh
If the Bulls sign a power forward with their final roster slot, they should prioritize one of these 8 free agents.
8. Wenyen Gabriel, Lakers
Having played for six teams in his four seasons in the NBA, perhaps no one has scrapped and clawed their way to overcome adversity and remain in the league quite like Wenyen Gabriel. Unlike other highly touted prospects that get tossed around rebuilding teams as reclamation projects, nearly every team Gabriel has played for has been built to win now. As such, he’s struggled to find heavy minutes, but has been productive in the time he’s gotten. He has the size and defensive versatility the Bulls are looking for when it comes to rounding out the forward rotation.
7. Derrick Jones Jr., Bulls
Speaking of versatile players, Derrick Jones Jr. has proven to be quite the Swiss Army Knife in his two seasons with the Bulls. Playing his fair share of both forward positions and even serving as a small-ball center, Jones has been a quality defender for Chicago and was a terrifying lob threat whenever Lonzo Ball was on the court. DJJ certainly deserves another shot in the league, but I’m not sure if the Bulls are the team who’s best equipped to make use of his dynamic above-the-rim play.
These free agents aren’t the big-ticket signings that will make the Bulls contenders, but they could push the scales in Chicago’s favor.
6. T.J. Warren, Suns
It feels like just yesterday T.J. Warren was putting on a masterclass in the bubble and taking the NBA by force. Averaging 19.8 points and shooting 40.3% from long-range in 2020, Warren appeared on the precipice of securing a huge payday. Unfortunately, a string of injuries would sideline him for the majority of the next two and a half seasons. Warren looked like a shell of his former self this year, averaging 7.5 points and 32.8% from deep. That being said, he’d be a great low-risk pickup if there’s even a chance he can shake the rust off and return to form.
5. JaMychal Green, Warriors
Although he’s been known to struggle with bouts of inconsistency, JaMychal Green has been an invaluable role player for several contending teams over the past 5 years. A championship ring has eluded him thus far, but through no fault of his own. Shooting 37.4% from deep over the last five years, Green is a dependable spot-up threat and his 6-foot-8, 225-pound frame helps him compensate on the defensive end. He’s by no means a premiere role player at this point, but he’s still much better than most of the other options still out there.
4. Trendon Watford, Trail Blazers
Although he may not be the fourth-best player in this list at this moment in time, Trendon Watford’s potential makes him arguably the most attractive power forward target the Bulls could pursue before the season starts. Averaging 7.5 points and 4 rebounds in his first two seasons with Portland, Watford’s flashes of playmaking and shooting make him a particularly interesting prospect with his 6-foot-9 and 240-pound frame.
Christian Wood, P.J. Washington, and Kelly Oubre headline the list of potential forward targets for the Bulls in free agency.
3. Kelly Oubre Jr., Hornets
Although Kelly Oubre has developed a reputation as a bit of an inefficient shot-chucker, his raw talent is simply undeniable and could be an asset for the Bulls. The forward averaged a career-best 20.3 points per game for the Hornets last season and could be looking for a new home now that Miles Bridges has returned to the fold. I’m interested in the prospect of adding Oubre, but can Chicago realistically get him to buy in if even Golden State couldn’t manage that feat?
2. Christian Wood, Mavericks
As the most prolific scorer still on the market, the Bulls have been tied to Christian Wood as a potential suitor in free agency. Many have speculated this is nothing more than a bargaining tactic to leverage more money from the Lakers, but I don’t think this rumor is entirely deceitful. The Bulls desperately need help at the power forward position and offensive firepower off the bench, and perhaps no player better fits that bill than Wood.
1. P.J. Washington, Hornets
Now an entire month into free agency, Charlotte’s P.J. Washington mysteriously remains unsigned as we prepare to head into August. As the best player still available in free agency, it’s interesting to see Washington remain unsigned for this long, but that is likely attributed to the fact no team has more than the MLE to offer him at the moment.
The Hornets appear unwilling to bring P.J. back on the long-term deal he’s likely looking for, and not many teams can offer the price tag he’s looking for. The Bulls, however, now have a DPE from Lonzo Ball to offer a better one-year deal than anyone else could, and could also use Ball’s contract in a potential sign-and-trade scenario. Whether or not the front office is interested in going into the luxury tax to acquire Washington remains to be unseen.