If the Chicago Bulls hope to make the playoffs next season, they need to make some serious roster tweaks this offseason. Their current Big Three of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic is fine, but the Bulls need more depth. They have some positions of need, but one of the most urgent is the forward position.
Right now, outside of DeRozan, the only forwards currently under contract for next season are Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry. Williams should be ready to take on a big role, and Terry could also enter the rotation, but it’s clear that Chicago desperately needs more depth at that position.
Chicago will have some flexibility this summer in the shape of its MLE. If they part ways with Vucevic, they would have more, but that’s a whole other conversation.
Here are X forwards Chicago could target in free agency this summer.
Chicago Bulls advance goals in free agency: Joe Ingles
With Williams and Terry on the roster, Joe Ingles could be a perfect mentor in Chicago. He still has some juice left in the tank, and his tough defense and 3-point shooting would make him a great option, even at 35.
Chicago Bulls advance in free agency: Torrey Craig
Torrey Craig is the ultimate 3&D guy in the NBA. Bringing him into the fold would give Chicago a player who will play defense, knock down their shots and help cultivate a winning culture. That is what they need.
Chicago Bulls advance goals in free agency: Justise Winslow
Justise Winslow is a bit of an odd name to throw around, but the Bulls could benefit from taking a chance on a few players. Winslow suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for most of last year, so the Portland Trail Blazers could look to bring him back.
However, at just 27 years old, Winslow could provide them with solid ball handling and solid defense in the striker position.
It’s not as reliable as some other names on this list, but it could be an intriguing fit.
Chicago Bulls advance goals in free agency: Georges Niang
Another great 3&D player, Georges Niang, would bring an edge to the Bulls’ starting lineup. He’s always trying to get under his opponent’s skin, and he’s one of the most reliable 3-point shooters in the NBA.
Chicago Bulls advance in free agency: Trey Lyles
Trey Lyles just finished off a great season with the Sacramento Kings. While they’d love to bring him back, the Bulls could try luring him in with the full MLE of him. The 3-point shot from him would make him a great fit at the power forward position.
Chicago Bulls advance goals in free agency: Yuta Watanabe
At the start of the season, when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were still around, Yuta Watanabe emerged as one of the best 3-point shooters in the league. That’s exactly what the Bulls need on their roster.
Chicago Bulls advance goals in free agency: Keita Bates-Diop
Keita Bates-Diop has been flying under the radar with the San Antonio Spurs, but he just finished a season in which he shot 39.4 percent from 3 on 2.1 attempts per game. He’s not perfect, but he plays hard on defense and shows signs of improving his shooting.
San Antonio will likely look to bring him back, but he’s a player who would be a great fit in Chicago.
Chicago Bulls advance goals in free agency: Dario Saric
Despite being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline, Dario Saric was very solid last season. He’s a big body who can play the power forward position and space out the court. Oklahoma City could look to bring him back, but Chicago could at least throw in an offer.
Chicago Bulls advance targets in free agency: Anthony Lamb
The Golden State Warriors would probably love to bring Anthony Lamb back, but with how constrained they are by salary-cap space, the Bulls could outbid them. He played very well for the Warriors last season, hitting his 3-pointers and playing solid defense.
Chicago Bulls advance targets in free agency: Wenyen Gabriel
Wenyen Gabriel played mostly as a small five for the Los Angeles Lakers, but along with the court-spacing Vucevic, he could be a big four for the Bulls. His solid rebounding and defense would make him a good (and probably cheap) fit.
Whether they sign a rushing player, a 3-point shooter or another player archetype, the Bulls need to improve their attacking depth this summer in free agency.
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The story originally appeared on the Lonzo Wire
