Bulls' Early 2023 Free Agent Targets

In the last two NBA seasons, the Chicago Bulls have pulled from their asset collection to surround Zach LaVine with DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vučević and more.

So far, this core has produced just one playoff trip and zero postseason series wins.

You could argue it's time (or past time) for the Bulls to blow it up. If you're a huge believer in this core, you could make a case for making some aggressive win-now moves this summer. Chicago hasn't settled on a course of action—not publicly, anyway.

"I'm going to look at everything," Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas said, per The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry. "It's all about who is available, and we're going to look at everything. I'm not committing to anything."

While it seems as if everything is on the table, we'll operate under the assumption Chicago hasn't abandoned the idea of pursuing maximum competitiveness. If that's still the aim, the following three free agents are all sensible targets.

Tre Jones, San Antonio Spurs (Restricted)

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DALLAS, TX - APRIL 9: Tre Jones #33 of the San Antonio Spurs moves the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 9, 2023 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Bulls have been without a true floor general since Lonzo Ball went down with a knee injury in Jan. 2022. Since the point guard still doesn't have a timetable for his return, this team has to improve its options at the lead guard spot.

Chicago could do worse than giving Tre Jones a look.

He quietly ranks among the Association's better playmakers. This past season was his first as a full-time starter, and he wound up dishing 6.6 assists against just 1.6 turnovers per outing.

He isn't a great three-point threat or the stingiest stopper you'll find, so it's not like he'd be a direct replacement for Ball. Still, Jones' passing and ball control might scratch the team's biggest itches without Ball by giving the Bulls more purpose and better connection on the offensive end.

Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves (Restricted)

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 29: Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on March 29, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Regardless how the Bulls handle Vučević's venture into free agency, Chicago might want to give some attention to the center spot.

Securing Naz Reid for the next chapter of his career could be the gift that keeps on giving.

The 23-year-old is already absurdly productive for a backup big. This was his second time in three seasons averaging double-digit points on 50-plus percent shooting. He seems capable of doing even more in an expanded role, as his career per-36-minutes averages include 20.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 threes and 1.9 blocks.

He's also young enough that if the Bulls decide to pivot toward a rebuild, he could be part of the core they move forward with.

Josh Richardson, New Orleans Pelicans (Unrestricted)

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 12: Josh Richardson #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks to pass the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2023 Play-In Tournament on April 12, 2023 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

The Bulls won't have a ton of spending money unless they move on from all of their free agents, but that's fine. Josh Richardson won't break the budget.

What he could do, though, is simultaneously address needs for more shooting and perimeter defense.

He has even played some point guard in his career, so he would add a not-insignificant amount of playmaking to the mix.

He isn't quite a knockdown shooter (career 36.5 percent), but he takes and makes enough triples that defenses have to respect him from range. That's all Chicago needs to maintain proper spacing and give DeRozan and LaVine more room to attack.