August and September are typically the quietest months of the NBA offseason. After the Draft in June, the initial free agency rush, and the Summer League in July, news tends to slow down, with nondescript signings and international play dominating most of the headlines.
However, this offseason has ushered in a new wave of notable storylines—most prominently, the drama surrounding restricted free agents. Brooklyn Nets’ Cam Thomas, Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, Philadelphia 76ers’ Quinten Grimes, and, of course, Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey all went back and forth with their teams over long-term contract negotiations.
Thomas was the first of the four marquee names to re-sign, opting to take his one-year, $5.9 million qualifying offer—ultimately betting on himself for the long run. Days later, Giddey re-signed with the Bulls. Rather than following in Thomas' footsteps, Giddey re-upped with Chicago on a four-year, $100 million pact.
With Giddey now in the mix, the Bulls’ roster is finalized. Chicago had been holding its 15th and final roster spot exclusively for the 6-foot-8 floor general. With him under contract, the Bulls’ front office can finally turn its attention to overall roster composition.
Projecting the Chicago Bulls' depth chart
After acquiring Isaac Okoro via trade, drafting Noa Essengue with the 12th overall pick, and re-signing Tre Jones, the Bulls’ depth chart looks very different from a season ago. That’s not even counting second-round pick Lachlan Olbrich and Yuki Kawamura, who will begin their first seasons in the Windy City on two-way contracts.
Below, we've projected what Chicago's depth chart will look like as the season begins:
Point Guard | Shooting Guard | Small Forward | Power Forward | Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Josh Giddey | Coby White | Isaac Okoro | Matas Buzelis | Nikola Vucevic |
Tre Jones | Ayo Dosunmu | Kevin Huerter | Patrick Williams | Zach Collins |
Jevon Carter | Dalen Terry | Julian Phillips | Noa Essengue | Jalen Smith |
Yuki Kawamura (TW) | Wooga Poplar (E10) OR | Emanuel Miller (TW) | Mouhamadou Gueye (E10) | Lachlan Olbrich (TW) |
Caleb Grill (E10) |
Giddey, Coby White, Isaac Okoro, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vucevic are penciled in as the starting five. Among them, Okoro is the only starter whose spot in the lineup isn’t guaranteed. As mentioned, Okoro came to Chicago via trade. The Bulls sent fan-favorite Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for the 6-foot-5 wing.
The starting small forward spot will ultimately be a battle between Okoro and returnees Kevin Huerter and Patrick Williams. It’s expected that the former Cavalier will assume the role, given that he’s now the Bulls’ top perimeter defender. With Giddey and White manning the backcourt, having a strong perimeter defender is essential.
That leaves Jones, Ayo Dosunmu—coming off shoulder surgery—Huerter, Williams, and Zach Collins as Chicago’s primary reserves. However, Collins’ hold on the second-string center spot isn’t guaranteed. The Bulls’ roster also includes Jalen Smith, who signed a three-year, $27 million contract last offseason.
Though Collins is projected as the second-string big, given that his defense was far stronger than Smith’s last season. Rounding out the depth chart are Jevon Carter, Dalen Terry, Julian Phillips, Essengue, and Smith as the third-stringers. Don’t be surprised if the latter four earn spot minutes from time to time, given their youth—and in Smith’s case, his potential to provide a similar impact as Collins.
Finally, two-way signees and training camp players round out Chicago’s roster. The two-way players are Kawamura, Olbrich, and Emanuel Miller, while Caleb Grill, Wooga Poplar, and Mouhamadou Gueye join as Exhibit 10 signees.