The Chicago Bulls did not make any moves at the trade deadline. I know, it's unfortunate, but we'll just have to accept that. This is the team we have to work with moving forward. Or is it? After all, the Bulls still have an open roster spot, and there are now plenty of players worth looking over on the free agent buyout market.
The Bulls saw great success on the buyout market just one year ago, putting together a 14-9 record to close out the season after adding Patrick Beverley to their ranks. We could see Chicago try to emulate that success once again, especially now that they'll need additional assistance with Zach LaVine sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Fortunately, the Bulls possess just enough cap room to make an acquisition and still remain under the luxury tax threshold, something that has clearly been a priority for Chicago's ownership regime for decades now.
A few solid players have already cleared waivers and signed to new teams, including Kyle Lowry and Thaddeus Young, so the Bulls must move fast if they want to pick up a difference-maker. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the best options remaining on the board for Chicago in free agency.
The Bulls would be wise to pick up a free agent in the buyout market to bolster a potential playoff run.
5. Davis Bertans
Davis Bertans has yet to be bought out, but he seems to be a likely potential candidate to hit the free agent pool after being traded away to the Hornets in the exchange that brought Gordon Hayward to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Bulls desperately lack any size on the roster outside of Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond, so they'd be wise to grab some injury insurance while they still can.
Bertans is admittedly in the midst of a down season, but he still has merit in specific situations. Having a big man who can shoot the clip at a 40% success rate is always a useful tool to have around. If we're lucky, perhaps Bertans could even help Vucevic re-discover his shot, as the Montenegrin big man is shooting a depressingly awful 27.7% from beyond the arc while still hoisting up over 4 threes per game.