With the 2022 NBA Free Agency set to start on June 30th at 6 pm Eastern, the Chicago Bulls have some crucial decisions. With that being said, I have three crucial steps to a successful Bulls free agency. However, if Arturas Karnisovas decides to ignore these steps and trades for Kevin Durant, I will not be disappointed with the Chicago Bulls’ free agency.
Step 1: Sign Zach LaVine Long-Term
Zach LaVine is entering free agency as arguably the best player on the market. Being only 27 years old, and a two-time All-Star is intriguing for any team.
Although, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bulls and LaVine are expected to “move quickly and hammer out a long-term max contract.”
This is crucial for the Bulls as LaVine is in his prime and can continue to be DeMar’s one-two punch. This Chicago Bulls free agency may feel quiet compared to last season, but still significant.
If the Bulls let LaVine walk, all of their moves last season would have been for nothing.
Chicago Bulls Free Agency Step 2: Get a Rim Protector
The Chicago Bulls lacked obvious rim protection this past year, ranking 22nd in the league in opposing team’s points in the paint.
For a team wanting to take the next step, a change will be necessary. Nevertheless, the Bulls don’t have to move off of Nikola Vucevic.
Chicago should look for options in free agency to replace their backup big men Tristan Thompson and Tony Bradley. Neither of these players consistently gave the Bulls a reliable rim protector that could deteriorate the opposing team’s shots.
Options for replacement could include JaVale McGee, Mo Bamba, and Mitchell Robinson.
I believe Bamba will have a large market, and JaVale McGee is aging. This makes the most reasonable option to be Mitchell Robinson.
If the Bulls sign Mitchell Robinson, they could rely on his rim protection and experiment lineups even with Vucevic.
Step 3: Find Three-and-D Forwards
Last season, the Bulls finished ninth in the NBA in three-point percentage but was dead last in the NBA for attempts. With that in mind, the Bulls lacked the confidence to take many three-pointers.
The Bulls will need to try and solve this during free agency. Having players such as Derrick Jones Jr, DeMar DeRozan, and Javonte Green playing plenty of minutes, it’s understandable to see how. Also, missing Lonzo Ball for the second half of the season also hurt this statistic.
PJ Tucker, Nicolas Batum, Kent Bazemore, Otto Porter Jr., and Gary Harris are all names to keep an eye on.
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