Bulls Sleeper Contracts to Pursue in NBA Free Agency

The Chicago Bulls aren't blowing it up.

That's been the consistent word out of the Windy City, and the Bulls are backing up those words with actions. Long before the 2023 NBA offseason officially started, the franchise was already negotiating with free-agent center Nikola Vučević, per Shams Charania of Stadium.

If Chicago plans to push for the playoffs next season, it needs to improve its roster. It also needs to make those improvements on a budget, as it almost certainly won't have access to significant cap space.

When the Bulls go searching for cost-effective pickups, the following three players should stand out.

Jae Crowder

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 22: Jae Crowder #99 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 22, 2023 in Miami, Florida. 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

During Jae Crowder's prolonged split from the Phoenix Suns this season, Chicago emerged as a potential landing spot.

The same traits that attracted the Bulls then could draw them back to the 32-year-old now.

They still need a versatile, big wing defender, and the 6'6", 235-pounder checks that box. Buoyed by a combination of length, strength, quickness and energy, he can handle most defensive assignments thrown his direction.

They also need reliable shooters, and he typically lands somewhere between average and above. His career 34.8 three-point percentage is fine, but the fact that he has cleared 38 percent in two of the past three seasons is what could really entice this front office.

Jaxson Hayes

Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 12: Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots against Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on April 12, 2023 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Frontcourt athleticism should be a priority for Chicago this summer. Jaxson Hayes hasn't established much during his first four seasons—which is why he might be available for cheap—but the fact that he's one of the Association's more athletically gifted bigs is obvious.

"He moves with fluidity in the open court, as if he's an NFL receiver," The Athletic's William Guillory wrote. "He's one of the few bigs who soars for lobs as if he jumped off a trampoline, and he moves on the perimeter with the lateral quickness of a guard. When he's moving around with confidence, there's no one like him in the NBA."

Hayes is so athletic that he can shift down to the 4 spot and hang with stretch forwards without any issues. He has even dabbled in distance shooting at times (20 triples on 35.1 percent shooting in 2021-22), which could make it even easier to play him alongside another big without sacrificing spacing or mobility.

Beyond his spring-loaded hops, he is sort of a blank slate. His development kind of stagnated with the New Orleans Pelicans, who shuffled him in and out of the rotation this season. With no notable numbers on his stat sheet, he could wind up in the clearance section, despite being a 23-year-old who was the No. 8 pick in his draft class (2019).

Cory Joseph

Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 9: Cory Joseph #18 of the Detroit Pistons moves the ball during the game against the Chicago Bulls on April 9, 2023 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

With Lonzo Ball's present and future totally up in the air, the Bulls need to seek out other solutions at the point guard spot.

Finding a Ball clone would be ideal, but few of those players even exist—and they certainly don't fit within the Bulls' budget. So, Chicago could settle for covering at least a few of the traits that made him such a snug fit as its lead guard.

Cory Joseph might help with that. He's a willing and able passer who takes great care of the basketball (career 3.0 assists against 1.0 turnovers). The fact that he's constantly looking to set the table means he could keep all of Chicago's scorers engaged and in their right spots.

The 31-year-old is also a dogged defender, and the Bulls need all of the stoppers they can get. They had a statistically strong defense this season, but it's not hard to find the defensive cracks in a club led by DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and (presumably) Vučević.

Joseph's size limits his versatility (6'3", 200 pounds), but at least he could set the tone on that end.