The Chicago Bulls are now deep into their offseason and it’s still anyone’s guess who will be on the final roster before the season starts.
The Bulls schedule is tough right away, so they won’t have time to figure it out and it’s possible we’ll see a rebuild imposed on them if they get off to a slow start.
Aside from all of the questions about the direction of the franchise, as well as Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic’s futures, we wondered how the Bulls would fill their final roster spot.
Chicago had over $4 million of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception left to use and could have gone with a veteran shooter, but instead, the Bulls went after a prospect big man, which may give us a clue of their ultimate direction.
Chicago Bulls free agency: What does Kenny Lofton Jr. mean for Nikola Vucevic?
The Bulls were thin on big men, but not anymore, as they reportedly signed free-agent Kenny Lofton Jr. to a one-year deal.
Free agent F/C Kenny Lofton Jr. is signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Lofton will compete for a roster spot in training camp. He has played 45 games across two NBA seasons. pic.twitter.com/2OXh9831ZI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 16, 2024
Lofton is mostly known for his Barkley-like physique at 6-foot-7, 275lbs and for being able to score effectively around the rim.
He’s only played 45 games total for three different teams, but at 22 years old, he still has untapped potential, which was on display when he dropped 42 points and 14 rebounds on the OKC Thunder in 2023.
The Bulls needed another big man to compete for their third spot, so Lofton’s signing doesn’t mean anything for the immediate future of Vucevic, but if the Bulls were to move Vooch, they’d at least have a young big man to audition for the future.
Aside from leaning towards youth, this signing fits with the modus operandi of the Bulls front office, as they were recently ranked as one of the cheapest teams in the league and Lofton Jr. will almost certainly be on minimum, non-guaranteed deal.
So those of you who were worried about Jerry Reinsdorf’s financial stability, rest easy, as old Jerry stayed well under the luxury tax again.
Lofton Jr. is worth a tryout and I am sure his Refrigerator Perry measurements will endear him to Bulls fans, but ultimately this won’t likely mean much for the Bulls, who filled their final roster spot with another player on the cheap.