Bulls 2023 Offseason Report Card: Did Chicago improve?
Chicago Bulls Offseason Report Card: Contract extensions
Nikola Vucevic re-signs for three years, $60 million
At the time, I’ll admit it, I wasn’t very supportive of the decision to sign Vucevic to big money for several more years. At the time, it felt like the Bulls were simply bidding against themselves by signing him so far out ahead of free agency and in a market where no other teams needed a starting center. In retrospect, the money they gave Vucevic looks a lot better now after the hefty deals that were handed out, but there are still concerns regarding his long-term fit on this team.
Coby White re-signs for three years, $36 million
Unlike Vooch, from the moment Coby White signed this deal, I was thrilled about the value. I fully expected White to fetch somewhere in the range of $15 million per year, but at $12 million AAV (can get up to $13.33 million if he meets unlikely incentive goals), it’s hard not to love this signing. If Coby continues displaying the year-to-year development he’s already shown, he’ll be incredibly good value for the Bulls moving forward.
Ayo Dosunmu re-signs for three years, $21 million
This was another instance where it felt like the Bulls were bidding against themselves, but at the very least, signing Ayo Dosunmu to a three-year, $21 million deal is a bit more justifiable. Ayo appeared to have no suitors emerge at the price tag the Bulls were offering, so I can understand why many were critical of the value of this signing. However, if Chicago had retained Dosunmu on the one-year qualifying offer, it may have invited feelings of unrest and discontent between Ayo and the coaching staff if he doesn’t get heavy minutes this year in a loaded backcourt rotation. Granting him long-term security to allow time to develop may have been the Bulls’ best option in this scenario.
Andre Drummond opts into his $3.36 million player option
Andre Drummond opting into his player option was a very pleasant surprise, as he’ll once again be one of the best backup centers in the league next season on an extremely affordable deal. After Derrick Jones Jr. opted out I began to worry over Drummond’s fate, but I was relieved to see he wasn’t ready to leave the Windy City just yet. I would like to see DJJ and Javonte Green back in a Bulls uniform, but I’m glad the front office managed to successfully retain the four most important free agents from last year’s roster first and foremost.
Grade: B