Building the Bulls 2026-2027 Season

[Guru]

I don't really see a thread about overall thoughts on how to build the team in 2026-2027 so I thought I would start one. I've been posting my ideas in different threads here and there. This isn't meant to be me putting out a plan and you discussing it, it's meant to be a home for any thoughts on long-term building.

Signed contracts for 2026-2027
1 Giddey (25M FA 30)
2 Tre (8M FA 29, Team option 28)
3 Dillingham (6.5M RFA 29, Team option 28)
4 Buzelis (5.4M RFA 29, Team option 28)
5 Okoro (11M FA 27)
6 Smith (9M FA 27)
7 Essengue (5.4M RFA 30, Team option 29)
8 Williams (18M FA 2029, Player option 28)

Free Agents
G-Simons (27.6M)
G-Sexton (18.9M)
C-Collins (18M)
F-Yabusele (5.5M)
C-Richards (5M)
G-Ivey (10M RFA)
F-Miller (2.2M, Team option 27)

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/chicago-bulls/yearly

2-way contracts
C Lachlan Olbrich
G Yuki Kawamura
G Mac McClung

Cap Space
If the Bulls renounce all cap holds they'll be $72 million under the cap.
If the Bulls renounce all cap holds except Ivey, they'll be $42 million under the cap.

However much Ivey signs for under $30 million, and hopefully he's getting paid way less than that, is added back to that $42 million number. So if Ivey signs for $10 million, the Bulls will have $62 million in cap space.-ghost

Draft picks for 2026
Chicago 1st
Portland Lottery Protected
New Orleans Rd 2

[MGB8]

Could use salaries for FA eval.

If goal is the 6th seed, might well just try to sign Kessler or Duren with a big contract, the let Ivey go (if he doesn't show really good chance of returning to prior athletic form) and trying to keep both Simmons and Sexton as your small, scoring guards (if at the right price, like 4 years 60 M, 4th year PO)

You try to hide Giddey on D the best you can, including via defensive C, and hope that you are balanced enough.

[ghostinthepost1]

Cap Space
I am having a hard time finding the best projection

If the Bulls renounce all cap holds they'll be $72 million under the cap.
If the Bulls renounce all cap holds except Ivey, they'll be $42 million under the cap.

However much Ivey signs for under $30 million, and hopefully he's getting paid way less than that, is added back to that $42 million number. So if Ivey signs for $10 million, the Bulls will have $62 million in cap space.

[pipfan]

Bring back Ayo-seriously. The guy's a stud, and fits with Giddey

Not sure about Ivey-I doubt his potential to be more than a 7th man. Not high on dillingham either, just too small. I do like Giddey/Matas/JSmith, and Jones is a very good back up PG. REALLY hope Noa is something, and we truly need a good C

[Guru]

FWIW AK mentioned these 5 in his press conference Giddey-Matiss-Okoro-Smith and Noa (So no Tre-Pwill)

[Guru]

Bring back Ayo-seriously. The guy's a stud, and fits with Giddey

Not sure about Ivey-I doubt his potential to be more than a 7th man. Not high on dillingham either, just too small. I do like Giddey/Matas/JSmith, and Jones is a very good back up PG. REALLY hope Noa is something, and we truly need a good C

Minnesota won't have the money to do it

[League Circles]

FWIW AK mentioned these 5 in his press conference Giddey-Matiss-Okoro-Smith and Noa (So no Tre-Pwill)

I would speculate that they might try to trade high on Jones this summer. He should have value in his cheap deal with 2 years left and they must be hoping that Dillingham can play that role.

Patrick I'm sure they'll dump the moment it makes sense.

[eierluke]

I don't really see a thread about overall thoughts on how to build the team in 2026-2027 so I thought I would start one. I've been posting my ideas in different threads here and there. This isn't meant to be me putting out a plan and you discussing it, it's meant to be a home for any thoughts on long-term building.

Signed contracts for 2026-2027
1 Giddey-Tre
2 Dillingham
3 Buzelis-Okoro
4 Smith-Essengue-Williams
5

Free Agents
G-Simons
G-Sexton
C-Collins
F-Yabusele
C-Richards
G-Ivey (R)
F-Miller (Club)

Cap Space
If the Bulls renounce all cap holds they'll be $72 million under the cap.
If the Bulls renounce all cap holds except Ivey, they'll be $42 million under the cap.

However much Ivey signs for under $30 million, and hopefully he's getting paid way less than that, is added back to that $42 million number. So if Ivey signs for $10 million, the Bulls will have $62 million in cap space.-ghost

Draft picks for 2026
Chicago 1st
Portland Lottery Protected
New Orleans Rd 2

Bulls shouldn't renounce anybodys rights. Right now we're in a super flexible Position. If wanted WE can include every of our free agents in any sign and trade Deals If wanted. Why destroying This strong position?
For free agents WHO won't come?

[eierluke]

Makes No Sense to me to make many moves:
Retain our Players unders contracts.
Sign Richards and yabusele to reasonable Deals
Pick Up the Player Option on miller
Lets make a compromise 3 years Deal with Ivey

Then we're at 12
Now let US try to make sign and trade Deals (preferable for picks) for Simmons or Sexton and let Collins Just walk

Draft best Player available.
Complete the roster with about 15 additional salary (necessary to reach the Minimum salary cap of about 149.4 Mio)
Let US do one real Tank season from early on

Then from 2027 on let US try to improve full throttle
Let US get the 1st Playoff win for years in 2028
And let US celebrate for years from thereon!

[Guru]

Could use salaries for FA eval.

Added

[HomoSapien]

Realistically, there's a good chance that the person we draft will be a guard. That probably should impact how we value Ivey and other potential signings. We need to shore up our front-court. I think Smith can be a long-term piece. I think Richards could be a cheap, multi-year option, but aside from just finding young, long-term pieces, we probably need to focus on defense and our front-court.

[ghostinthepost1]

Renounce everyone (maybe keep Ivey on QO).
Use cap space to take on bad contracts for 1st round draft capital.
Draft well in 2026.
Let the rookies + Essengue + Matas + Dillingam get all the minutes they can handle next season.
Lose 60+ games in 2026/27.
Draft well in 2027.

After all of that you can start trying to win.

[wolffy]

I honestly make no attempt to compete next year. Its all about positioning the team to complete the roster by next draft.

Personally I'd move on from Giddey but I dont see that as anything the team will do so I'll avoid that.

This season I try to fill the holes at SG and C. I'm saving cash for big moves. If I can get Kessler or Duren I would go all in. Thats probably unlikely because their teams will match. So that probably leaves the draft for center.

At shooting guard Watson is the guy you want. Offer him what it takes. If that falls thru I go back to the Portland pick and hope for a SG.

What i wouldn't do is add a bunch of mid impact free agents that propel the team to play in again.

If I have to hold onto cap space and go again next year, thats what I do.

[MisterRoy]

With Lauri and now JJJ, can we out bid Utah on their RFA? If they accept all their team options, they have $140M committed.

[Guru]

Renounce everyone (maybe keep Ivey on QO).
Use cap space to take on bad contracts for 1st round draft capital.
Draft well in 2026.
Let the rookies + Essengue + Matas + Dillingam get all the minutes they can handle next season.
Lose 60+ games in 2026/27.
Draft well in 2027.

After all of that you can start trying to win.

I normally dont like this idea but as somone who loves evaluating young players this looks really fun.

[Guru]

With Lauri and now JJJ, can we out bid Utah on their RFA? If they accept all their team options, they have $140M committed.

They didn't take 2 first rounders for Kessler this year, I would assume that means he's back.

[Red Larrivee]

I would not build the team around tanking for next year's draft. Next year's draft is supposed to be a huge step down. There's also likely going to be changes to draft odds or tanking too. Perennial tankers like Utah and Washington looking to compete next year should be a big warning sign that we shouldn't do that.

[moorhosj]

At shooting guard Watson is the guy you want. Offer him what it takes. If that falls thru I go back to the Portland pick and hope for a SG.

I haven't seen Watson play much, is he better than Ayo or is it a play on his youth and upside? I see he's 3 years younger and has improved each year in the league.

[sco]

At shooting guard Watson is the guy you want. Offer him what it takes. If that falls thru I go back to the Portland pick and hope for a SG.

I haven't seen Watson play much, is he better than Ayo or is it a play on his youth and upside? I see he's 3 years younger and has improved each year in the league.

I'm all in on Watson. He had a Coby-like stint with Joker out. It is a big risk...could be an illusion, but it could be gold. Dude is 6'8 and seems to be able to shoot and defend. Offer $30M/yr and hope for a miracle.

[wolffy]

At shooting guard Watson is the guy you want. Offer him what it takes. If that falls thru I go back to the Portland pick and hope for a SG.

I haven't seen Watson play much, is he better than Ayo or is it a play on his youth and upside? I see he's 3 years younger and has improved each year in the league.

Hes bigger, better defensively, and is an actual SG. Plus Denver might have trouble holding onto him.