The Chicago Bulls have made numerous moves this summer, despite having no interest in rebuilding their roster. Instead, they want to build the roster around their stars in hopes of getting back into the playoffs next year. Their current core has won a single playoff game in their two years together.
They re-signed Nikola Vucevic and Coby White, and, in free agency, they signed Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig. Most recently, the Bulls brought back point guard Ayo Dosunmu on a three-year, $21 million contract, a move KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago praised them for.
First, Johnson spoke about how Dosunmu’s skills and mentality are exactly what the Bulls are looking for.
“But Karnišovas always planned to re-sign Dosunmu, even if he projects to be the fifth guard behind Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, White and Carter,” Johnson wrote. “Here’s why: As a second-round pick who always plays with a chip on his shoulder, Dosunmu represents the type of player that the organization values, one who doesn’t back down from any challenge and is a tough competitor who looks inward to improve.”
More intriguingly, Johnson pointed out Dosunmu’s new contract is simply a good use of resources.
“Plus, with the salary cap rising dramatically over the coming seasons, retaining an asset at an annual average salary of $7 million — Dosunmu’s first-year salary could be less than that — is a prudent use of resources,” Johnson wrote. “For instance, the Bulls possess few mid-range salaries that can come in handy for matching purposes in trades.
“That’s not to say the Bulls plan on trading Dosunmu. In fact, Dosunmu has been counted out before, with widespread speculation that he’d spend the majority of his rookie season in the G League. Instead, Dosunmu first cracked the rotation and then, following Lonzo Ball’s defense, started 40 games.”
Dosunmu will be back in Chicago, giving the Bulls solid minutes and helping them keep their options open on the trade market.
