The Chicago Bulls were rumored to be thinking about wholesale changes after missing the playoffs for the sixth time in the last eight years. The Bulls finished 10th in the Eastern Conference (40-42) and then fell to the Miami Heat in the final play-in game for the eighth seed. Among the major rumors were that the Bulls were rumored to be shopping star guard Zach LaVine and were considering allowing upcoming free agent Nikola Vucevic to walk. However, general manager Marc Eversley told K.C. Jones of NBC Sports of Chicago that the Bulls were determined to re-sign their free agents, keeping their starting center was the No. 1 priority.
“I’m excited for Vooch. There’s not many starting centers in the NBA. So if Vooch were to go away, how would you replace him? Those options were just not appealing to us. So retaining him became the No. 1 goal of the offseason.”
NBA Rumors: Bulls Productive Offseason, Heat Not Interested In Top Free Agent
Chicago was so intent on keeping Vucevic that he signed a three-year, $60 million extension on June 28 instead of hitting the open market. The 33-year-old’s average annual salary of $20 million is just $5 million less than he received in his last contract, which was $100 million over four years.
Vucevic is a top-7 center and is coming off one of the most efficient seasons of his career. He led the NBA in defensive rebounds in 2022-23 and ranks fifth in total rebounds among all active players. Vucevic averaged 17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists last season. He also produced a shooting slash line of .520/.349/.835.
The Bulls Other Free Agents
Vucevic wasn’t the only free agent that the Bulls retained. Chicago re-signed Coby White, although he failed to average double-figures for the first time ever, to a three-year, $36 million pact. While the 23-year-old averaged a career-low 9.7 points, he shot a career-best 44.3% from the field. He also showed dramatic improvement on the defensive end.
“Coby White had, I thought, a terrific year last year. I think the growth he has shown over the last three years has been second to nobody on the roster,” Eversley said. “I think his ability to shoot (and) he’s much more comfortable handling it now.
“He has found his voice in the locker room. He has become a quiet leader. We’ve seen growth and development from him. And that’s why it was critical to bring him back.”
Ayo Dosunmu had to wait a little longer than White to get a deal done. The 24-year-old guard ultimately inked a three-year, $21 million contract on July 21. Dosunmo put up similar numbers in his rookie campaign that earned him second-team all-rookie honors. He shot 49.5% from the field, which was lower than his 52% shooting percentage a season prior. However, his three-point percentage swoon was more concerning, dropping from 37.6%-to-31.2%.
With Lonzo Ball slated to miss his second consecutive season, Dosunmu and White are expected to compete for the start with newcomer Jevon Carter. Carter signed a three-year, $19.5 million deal with Chicago after spending last season with the Milwaukee Bucks. Carter, known for his toughness and grit, compiled a career-best 8.0 points a game in 2022-23. He is also a fantasy 3-point shooter, knocking down 1.2 treys a game at nearly a 40% clip.
Miami Heat Not Interested In Christian Wood
Despite Christian Wood, the consensus free agent still on the market, reportedly hoping to join the Heat, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel isn’t sure is currently interested.
“I’m just not sure the level of interest is there at the moment with the Heat’s current mix in the power rotation. Nor am I sure, that even at the minimum, the Heat necessarily want to guarantee another contract at the moment. Now, if the Heat make over moves, then the roster calculus could change.”
Miami has a full training camp roster. The Heat currently has 13 players on standard contracts, but only a small portion of Orlando Robinson‘s $1.8 million contract is guaranteed. Kevin Love and Caleb Martin are in line to start at power forward for the Heat.
Oklahoma City Thunder Bring Back Lindy Waters III On Two-Way Deal
The Oklahoma City Thunder have brought Lindy Waters III back into the fold on a two-way contract, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are signing guard Lindy Waters III on a two-way NBA contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Waters averaged 5.2 points over 41 games last season for OKC.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 18, 2023
Waters appeared in 41 games with the Thunder last season, compiling 5.2 points on 39.3% shooting from the field and 1.4 treys at a 35.8% shooting from deep. However, the Thunder declined his option for the upcoming seasons, making him a free agent.
Waters’ signing gives Oklahoma City 21 players under contract for training camp. The Thunder still have one open two-way spot, with Keyontae Johnson holding the other.
Other News:
- Portland and free agent guard Ashton Hagans agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract on Friday.
Ashton Hagans is signing an Exhibit 10 contract.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 19, 2023
Hagans went undrafted out of Kentucky in 2020 and has spent most of his career in the G-League, except for appearing in two games for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2021-22. He is an excellent ball-handler, though he doesn’t do anything special. Haggans averaged 6.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last year for the Greensboro Swarm.
Haggans’ signing gives the Trail Blazers 15 players for training camp. The Blazers have 12 players on standard contracts and two with two-way deals.
- The Orlando Magic also added a training camp player on Friday, signing guard Trevelin Queen to an Exhibit 10 deal, per the Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Beede.
It's an Exhibit 10 contract that's been agreed to between the #Magic and free agent guard Trevelin Queen, the @orlandosentinel has learned. Once he signs the 1-year non-guaranteed deal worth a minimum salary, he'll join the team for training camp.
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) August 19, 2023
Queen has spent most of his career in the G-League after going undrafted out of New Mexico State in 2020. The 2021-22 NBAGL MVP is a talented high-volume scorer who has issues with turnovers and on the defensive end.
Queen averaged 22.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals a game for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He also knocked down 2.2 treys a game last year but at just a 28.4% clip. Named as a participant in the Next Up game during NBA All-Star weekend, the 26-year-old guard has 17 games of NBA experience. He appeared in seven games for the Indiana Pacers a season ago.
Queen’s signing gives Orlando 18 players for training camp. The Magic’s roster appears set with 15 players on standard contracts though they need to fill a two-way slot. Queen seems destined to start the season with the Osceola Magic as an affiliate player.
