Current, former and almost Bulls in the Paris Olympics and when to watch them

The Olympic games are set to tip-off early Saturday morning in the United States. The quad-annual event has garnered quite a bit of attention with a few close calls for the Americans against South Sudan and Germany. When you tune in to the 2024 Olympics, it is easy to tell how far basketball has come globally since the original 1992 Dream Team barnstormed the Olympics.

The United States are still the favorites, but with All-NBA players sprinkled throughout the world, it is not necessarily a foregone conclusion. There is a distinct Bulls flavor at these Olympic games with a handful of players having ties to the franchise.

Current Chicago Bulls in the Olympics

Josh Giddey - Australia

The serious Bulls fan will be tuning into 2024 Olympic game to watch recently acquired Josh Giddey. Giddey has something to prove after the front office was criticized for sending beloved Alex Caruso for a dude that had both on and off the court drama in the last year. Giddey has a tall task to prove himself to a fanbase that can be unrelenting.

The potential success next year and the future of the Bulls is dependent on Giddey's performance. The Bulls have to be hoping that through all the criticisms of Giddey that he comes into camp motivated in what could be a big pay day as he enters restricted free agency.

The Bulls thought (hoped) they had found their point guard with Lonzo Ball, but in the last three seasons, the Bulls have functioned essentially without a floor general for 211 games. Giddey is tasked to fill that void, which actually has been a revolving door since Derek Rose had his first knee injury.

Bulls fans should be pleasantly surprised in Giddey's early performance on the world stage. Although they were exhibition games, he has demonstrated to be able to direct traffic, throw difficult dimes and even shoot the three at a respectable level. Olympic basketball is still not the NBA, but Bulls fans will be watching to see what their point guard will look like next year.

First Game: Saturday July 27th - Australia vs. Spain - 4 AM CT

Former Bulls in the Olympics

Carlik Jones - South Sudan

Jones is already a feel good story after his heroic efforts in the South Sudan's exhbition game against the United States last Saturday. Jones produced the first triple double against the United States in international play history. Jones had a successful stint with the Windy City Bulls averaging 26 PPG on 7 AST in 2022-23 season, but that did not lead to much of an opportunity with the big league team. Jones spent last season in China. Jones, at only 26, could use a strong Olympic performance and get that NBA contract.

First Game: Sunday July 28th - South Sudan vs. Puerto Rico - 4:00 AM CDT

Daniel Theis - Germany

Theis had a brief 23 game career in Chicago. He came over in a push from the front office to bolster the teams hopes of making the playoffs 2021 Trade Deadline. Theis played well averaging 25 minutes on 14 starts and scored 10 points per game, but would move on to Houston in the off season.

Theis is an integral part of the German's hopes of finishing on the medal stand. He had a strong showing against the United States in the final warm-up game before action tips off this weekend. His toughness and energy will be needed for the Germans

First Game: Saturday July 27th - Germany vs. Japan - 6:30 AM CT

Cristiano Felício - Brazil

If you do not remember Felicio was able to convince the Chicago Bulls into a 4-year $32 million on his potential following the 2017-18 season. The backup big saw 10-15 minutes a game in the first round loss to the Boston Celtics that year. The Bulls took a chance on the undrafted big man and it did not pan out.

In his final year of the contract in 2020-21, Felicio managed to play in 18 games compling 4.5 minutes per game. He has a tall task, literally, out of the gates playing the twin towers of France with Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert.

First Game: Saturday July 27th - France vs. Brazil - 10:30 AM CDT

Could have been a Bull

Franz Wagner

Franz Wagner will be the focal point of a team that believes they are poised to medal. Wagner never donned a Bulls a uniform, but was a key part of the Nikola Vucevic trade. Wagner was selected with the 8th pick in the 2021 with what would have been a Bulls draft pick.

Wagner has blossomed into a cornerstone for the up-and-coming Orlando Magic and just received a 5 year, $224 million contract. Bulls fans would probably cringe, if Wagner is able to lead the Germans to gold.

First Game: Saturday July 27th - Germany vs. Japan - 6:30 AM CT