The Chicago Bulls have a plethora of options to figure out who will earn their final two roster spots as the preseason winds down. Five players are still in contention to become either the Bulls’ 15th player on a standard contract or earn a two-way deal following Javon Freeman-Liberty’s signing of his Exhibit 10 deal today.
According to Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto, Freeman-Liberty opted out of his deal with Turkey club Manisa Basket a few days ago to return to the NBA.
Javon Freeman-Liberty intends to sign with the Chicago Bulls after opting out of his deal in Turkey. He drew interest from Fenerbahce, but he’s focused on pursuing an NBA return.
NBA Training Camp Battles: Who Will Win The Bulls Final 2 Open Roster Spots
Freeman-Liberty spent most of last season on a two-way deal with the Toronto Raptors. He was fantastic with the G-League Raptors 905 and appeared in 22 games for the big league club. The 6-3 guard averaged 6.9 and 3.1 rebounds while shooting .444/.238/.917 with the Raptors.
After being waived by the Raptors in July and not finding any other interested NBA clubs, Freeman-Liberty chose to sign with Manisa. The 24-year-old, an athletic scorer and good rebounder totaled 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as he shot 13 of 28 (46.4%) from the field and 2 of 8 (25%) from deep in two games with Manisa.
The Battle For The Bulls Open Roster Spots
Freeman-Liberty’s addition gives Chicago 21 players in training camp. The Bulls officially have 15 players on standard contracts and two two-way contracts filled. But Onuralp Bitim is on a nonguaranteed deal, with $350,000 of his $1.89 million contract guaranteed on October 22.
Chicago is currently below the tax apron at $168.4 million. The Bulls are also $9.7 million from the first apron, where they are hard-capped.
Even though Freeman-Liberty is a late camp addition, it is presumed he has a legitimate shot at making Chicago’s 18-man roster. Talen Horton-Tucker, E.J. Liddell, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. are the other players competing for a roster spot. Horton-Tucker is the only player of the five ineligible for a two-way deal.
Talen Horton-Tucker
Horton-Tucker is the most experienced of the five players, with 247 career NBA games, including 55 starts. The 23-year-old has spent the last two years averaging 10.5 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.7/33.0/80.7 in 51 games this past season.
Horton-Tucker signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Chicago on September 4. The 6-4 wing has played in both of the Bulls’ preseason games. He scored 16 points on 5 of 11 shooting, including 2 of 5 from deep, in a 124-121 loss to Memphis on Saturday. He averages 12 points, 2.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks during the preseason.
EJ Liddell
Liddell has bounced around a little in the last few months. The 23-year-old forward was part of the trade with Atlanta that brought the Pelicans Dejounte Murray. The Hawks then sent him to Phoenix, who waived him a month later.
Liddell, a 2022 second-round pick of the Pelicans, appeared in eight games this past season for New Orleans. Liddell didn’t do much with Atlanta in the summer league this year, though he did an excellent job getting to the free-throw line. He has yet to appear in a preseason game for the Bulls.
Kenneth Lofton Jr.
Lofton is a burly big with a scorer’s mentality and 45 NBA games of experience. The 6-7 275-pound forward saw sparse action in 21 games last between three NBA teams, though he did thrive in his four games with Utah at the end of the season. He also struggled during summer league action with the Jazz, which is a surprise as the 2024 G-:League Next Up selection had been one of the summer’s top performer’s the last two seasons.
Onuralp Bitim
Bitim showed some ability to be a reliable 3-point shooter last season. But the 25-year-old Turkish national struggled in his 23 games with the Bulls. He saw six minutes of action in the team’s first preseason contest, though he didn’t play Saturday night.
The Last Word
General manager Marc Eversly has interesting decisions to make regarding the final two roster spots. The Bulls may carry 14 players on standard contracts to begin the season, but that seems unlikely, given the injuries to those players. As a result of the injuries, there are questions concerning the Bulls’ backcourt, which likely will go with a three-guard lineup.
Lonzo Ball is expected to play this season after missing the previous two seasons. Coby White is dealing with a groin injury, and Ayo Dosunmo suffered a left shoulder injury on Saturday night against Memphis. Patrick Williams also was hurt (wrist) against the Grizzlies, but it does not appear to be that serious as the x-rays were negative. Additionally, Jalen Smith has a knee (soreness) ailment.
Given that and how coach Billy Donovon is running his rotation, Horton-Tucker seems to be the favorite to earn the Bulls’ last standard contract. Therefore, Bitim would have to be waived.
In that case, the Bulls could still re-sign Bitim to a two-way deal. However, it is hard to believe that Freeman-Liberty would leave money on the table to sign an Exhibit 10 deal. So, I expect Freeman-Liberty to get the Bulls’ final two-way deal.
