Bulls Offseason Plan
We are in no position to try and compete at this point. Signing Jalen Duren or Walker Kessler gets us closer to the play-in for no reason. If we want to rebuild, this has to be done correctly. Michael Reinsdorf has stressed in his introductory press conference that Bryson Graham would not cut corners. Signing an RFA to a 35+ million dollar offer sheet, both players with clear flaws/injury issues would not make sense for the team. Instead, we have to use our available cap space on trading for bad contracts.
First renounce all of our upcoming free agents. No point in bringing back veterans for 10+m contracts when we are no position to compete
Isaac Okoro (Expiring) for Jerami Grant (2 year 67m) and 2028 FRP (possibly multiple)
Jalen Smith (Expiring) and 38 for Jakob Poeltl (4 year 104m) 19, and a 2027 unprotected first.
I’ve seen Paul George floated around, but his contract being 58 million is too steep, and I don’t think 76ers are going to be willing to throw out multiple firsts for him.
Use pick 4,15, and 19 for Caleb Wilson, Cameron Carr, and Steinbach. Explore trades for Giddey as well, but only if a great offer presents itself. If that’s the case, I’d love Stirtz at pick 15 or 19. If Philon falls to 15, would love the pick there too. There are a lot of great options at 15 and 19 available across various positions. But we need to draft best player available, not relying on fit.
Lineup looks like
Giddey/Jones/Dillingham
Carr
Buzelis/Essengue
Wilson/Grant/Miller
Steinbach/Poeltl
With still enough cap space in 2027 and beyond with 2 2027 firsts and 2 2028 firsts.