If the Chicago Bulls hope to make a playoff push next season, they need to make some serious roster adjustments this offseason. Their current Big Three of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic is fine, but the Bulls need more depth. They have a few positions of need, but one of the most urgent is at the forward position.
Right now, outside of DeRozan, the only forwards currently under contract for next season at Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry. Williams should be poised to take on a large role, and Terry could step into the rotation, too, but it’s clear that Chicago desperately needs better depth at that position.
Chicago will have some flexibility this summer in the form of their MLE. If they part ways with Vucevic, they would have more, but that’s another conversation entirely.
Here are 10 forwards Chicago could target in free agency this summer.
Chicago Bulls forward targets in free agency: Joe Ingles
With Williams and Terry on the roster, Joe Ingles could make a perfect mentor in Chicago. He’s still got a little bit of juice left in the tank, and his hard-nosed defense and three-point shooting would make him a great fit, even at 35 years old.
Chicago Bulls forward targets 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 hustle defense, knock down his shots, and help cultivate a winning culture. That’s what they need.
Chicago Bulls forward targets in free agency: Justise Winslow
Justise Winslow is a bit of an odd name to throw out there, but the Bulls could benefit from taking a chance on some players. Winslow suffered an ankle injury that held him out 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 defense at the forward spot.
He’s not as reliable as some other names on this list, but he could be an intriguing fit.
Chicago Bulls forward targets 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 opponents’ skin, and he’s one of the more reliable three-point shooters in the NBA.
Chicago Bulls forward targets in free agency: Trey Lyles
Trey Lyles just wrapped up a breakout season with the Sacramento Kings. While they would love to bring him back, the Bulls could attempt to lure him away with their full MLE. His three-point shooting would make him a great fit at the power forward position.
Chicago Bulls forward targets in free agency: Yuta Watanabe
At the beginning of the season, when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were still around, Yuta Watanabe emerged as one of the best three-point shooters in the league. That’s exactly what the Bulls need on their roster.
Chicago Bulls forward targets in free agency: Keita Bates-Diop
Keita Bates-Diop has been flying under the radar with the San Antonio Spurs, but he just wrapped up a season where he shot 39.4 percent from three on 2.1 attempts per game. He’s not perfect, but he plays hard on defense and is showing signs of an improved shot.
San Antonio will likely look to bring him back, but he’s a player who would fit nicely in Chicago.
Chicago Bulls forward targets in free agency: Dario Saric
Despite getting 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 the floor. Oklahoma City could look to bring him back, but Chicago could at least throw an offer out there.
Chicago Bulls forward targets in free agency: Anthony Lamb
The Golden State Warriors would probably love to bring Anthony Lamb back, but with how strapped they are for cap space, the Bulls could outbid them. He played great for the Warriors this past season, nailing his threes and playing solid defense.
Chicago Bulls forward targets in free agency: Wenyen Gabriel
Wenyen Gabriel mainly played the small-ball five for the Los Angeles Lakers, but alongside the floor-spacing Vucevic, he could be a great four for the Bulls. His solid rebounding and defense would make him a nice (and probably cheap) fit.
Whether they sign a hustle player, a three-point shooter, or another player archetype, the Bulls need to improve their forward depth this summer in free agency.
