Bulls Face Offseason Questions With Eight Players on Expiring Deals
bulls-face-offseason-questions-with-eight-players-on-expiring-deals
The Chicago Bulls enter a pivotal stretch with eight rotation players headed for free agency next summer, head coach Billy Donovan told reporters on November 26. Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, Coby White, Kevin Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter and Dalen Terry are all in the final year of their contracts, and the team holds a $2.4 million option on second-year forward Julian Phillips.
“We’ve got eight guys on expiring contracts,” Donovan said. “Their futures and careers are in each other’s hands.” The coach has emphasized a collective mindset since training camp, urging players to “help the man next to me” as they chase both wins and future contracts.
Vucevic Voices Urgency
The sense of pressure surfaced when Vucevic, 35, labeled the club “very soft” after a one-point victory over Washington last weekend. The veteran center and his family enjoy living in Chicago, and the front office could explore a new deal if the season breaks the right way. Executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas has shown loyalty to Donovan and much of the roster, leaving open the possibility of multi-year offers should the group outperform expectations.
Defense Remains a Concern
Chicago’s recent slide has highlighted defensive shortcomings, particularly a lack of size and physicality in matchups with Washington and New Orleans. Donovan said the roster doesn’t feature a true stopper outside of Isaac Okoro, adding, “We have to do it collectively… it’s not one guy’s fault; it’s all of us.”
Draft Decisions Revisited
The Bulls strongly considered Pelicans rookie big man Derik Queen with the No. 12 pick in June, but ultimately selected French forward Noa Essengue, viewing his athleticism and up-tempo fit as better for the long term. Essengue has spent most of the season in the G League.
Collins Nears Return
Collins, sidelined since camp with a left-hand injury, is expected to participate in full-court practices later this week. The team hopes the 27-year-old forward will make his season debut in early December.
Source: Hoops Rumors
