The Chicago Bulls have embarked on a busy offseason by overhauling their roster, parting ways with Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, and Andre Drummond. The front office’s decision to make these moves was long overdue, with critics noting that trading these players earlier at last season’s deadline could have yielded more valuable returns. Nevertheless, it’s a positive step that the organization has finally opted to initiate a rebuild.
Transactions continue to unfold rapidly. Following the signing and subsequent trade of DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal, the Bulls acquired Chris Duarte and RaiQuan Gray. However, according to reports by KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the team has now waived Gray.
Gray will be waived, per Bulls PR. https://t.co/eccSbNujJD
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 8, 2024
Gray, a second-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, had limited NBA experience with brief stints at the Brooklyn Nets and the San Antonio Spurs, appearing in just four games. The former standout from Florida State now moves to free agency in hopes of securing a two-way contract.
This move underscores that the Bulls ultimately received only Duarte in exchange for DeRozan, a development criticized as disappointing by some analysts. Particularly notable is Sacramento’s willingness to part with Harrison Barnes and a 2031 first-round pick to secure DeRozan, assets that could have potentially come to Chicago had cap space and strategic decisions been better managed.
Thus far this offseason, the Bulls’ front office has converted Caruso, Drummond, and DeRozan into Josh Giddey, Chris Duarte, and two second-round draft picks. However, the overall return falls short of expectations among Bulls fans, who had hoped for a more substantial roster transformation.
