Nobody expects the Chicago Bulls to come out swinging in free agency. There is no reason for them to do so. This is a team far away from competing for a championship. They are currently focused on laying the foundation of a future contender. Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain are expected to be centerpieces in that plan after joining the team as 1st round picks. The same goes for Matas Buzelis. Beyond that, VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham still has $30 million in salary cap space. He must spend some of it to round out the roster. That is where John Collins comes in.
While other teams are focused on the big names about to hit the open market, it appears the Bulls are monitoring the mid-level exemption options. The 28-year-old power forward, who spent last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, is at the top of that list. Brett Siegel of Clutchpoints reports that Chicago is one of the teams expected to make a run at him. They certainly have the money to make it work. The trick will be whether they can outpace other teams that may have more favorable situations.
“Wade and Collins will have the most robust market for players who could receive the full mid-level exception (~$16 million) from teams this offseason. Whereas Wade has been a proven, consistent two-way forward for the Cavs over the last several years, shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range this past year, Collins presents athleticism and pure rebounding skills.
There has been some talk of Collins being linked to the Timberwolves, but after trading for LaMelo, Minnesota won’t be able to offer the recent LA Clippers forward what other teams can. Sources say the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs are two prominent teams frequently mentioned among league circles as suitors for Collins.”
The interest in John Collins isn’t hard to surmise.
Chicago has been looking to bolster its front court all offseason. They traded for Nic Claxton and drafted Wilson and Swain. Collins is a solid power forward with great athleticism. He finishes well at the rim, plays defense, rebounds well, and is a pretty decent three-point shooter. The Bulls need more of all those things. He can start alongside Claxton, giving them an experienced presence in the paint. His ability to provide spacing will be a major help to Wilson, Buzelis, and Josh Giddey, who can find lanes to the basket.
Collins is not a difference-maker. Don’t get it twisted. He is a solid veteran who can help make the Bulls semi-presentable. This isn’t a big swing. Would he be okay with that? Collins turns 29 this year. He’s played most of his career on mediocre teams. One has to imagine he’d like to play for a contender. That is why San Antonio may have the advantage in any free agent negotiations. That said, he would definitely be a starter in Chicago, and they can offer the full exemption.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
It will be interesting to see the Bulls’ strategy.
Graham hinted that the team may enact an approach of taking on some bloated contracts from other teams in exchange for future assets. They may stick to that if this looming pursuit of John Collins doesn’t materialize. If nothing else, this is further evidence that the Bulls have a vision for what they want. Big athletes with good length who offer versatility. Collins would be a great veteran sprinkle on a suddenly very young core. It also shows the team is now working to find more shooting.
It will be interesting to see if any other notable names emerge as the deadline draws closer. Peyton Watson is a hot name mentioned a lot after his semi-breakout year in Denver. The same goes for Quentin Grimes from Philadelphia. Both would help plug the team’s void at shooting guard. Having already gotten involved in one major trade, it’s safe to assume they may hitchhike on another. Collins’ market will be one to watch.
