The Chicago Bulls have prioritized revamping the sparse forward unit rostered from a season ago. In a matter of days, Artūras Karnišovas and Co. have added Noa Essengue via the NBA Draft and Isaac Okoro via trade. By adding the former Cleveland Cavalier, Chicago parted with a beloved guard, Lonzo Ball.
All of a sudden, the Bulls are light on primary ball handlers—quite a difference a year makes. Thus, it's now a possibility that the franchise brings back Tre Jones, an unsung hero from the Bulls' impressive second-half surge.
Still, infusing the roster with ball handlers shouldn't be atop Chicago's agenda. Revamping the subpar frontcourt must take priority. While the Bulls' roster features three centers, none fit the Bulls' roster construction or scheme.
The Bulls' starting center, Nikola Vucevic, is the only Bull on the wrong side of 30. Furthermore, he's a skilled offensive player who excels in the halfcourt. On the downside, he's a sieve on the defensive end. Jalen Smith, like Vucevic, is a talented offensive player, capable of spacing the floor. Yet, he's a bit of a tweener, too small for a full-time role at the five and not agile enough to spend ample time alongside a true center. Lastly, trade deadline acquisition Zach Collins brings plenty of toughness, but he's neither a floor spacer nor a rim protector.
The Chicago Bulls were left unmentioned regarding the free agent bigs
Using free agency to poach a rim protector to shore the Bulls' leaky defense or rim-running big to pair with Josh Giddey and Coby makes for an ideal addition. However, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Bulls are disinterested in the free agent center market.
While Scotto didn't outright mention Chicago's detachment, his failure to bring up the Bulls in his latest "NBA Intel" piece tells us all we need to know. Scotto mentioned the recently bought-out DeAndre Ayton, the Phoenix Suns' third-string center Nick Richards', and former Atlanta Hawk Clint Capela's suitors.
Among teams to covet the trio of bigs are said to be the Indiana Pacers, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs. Chicago was merely mentioned as a team once interested in trading for Houston's Cam Whitmore—that is, before acquiring Okoro.
It's a disheartening revelation to learn the Bulls are not linked to one free-agent center. While Richards isn't technically a free agent, he's a surefire roster casualty after the Suns traded for Mark Williams and drafted Duke's Khaman Maluach, making Richards expendable.
Although Ayton, Capela, and Richards might not be viable targets, at least according to Scotto, Brooklyn Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe, Detroit Pistons' Paul Reed, and New York Knicks' Precious Achiuwa make for intriguing, inexpensive free agent options to fill out the Bulls' roster.