Chicago Bulls linked to pricey Los Angeles Lakers pending free agent

With a new era in Chicago Bulls basketball, the franchise has the flexibility to build the roster how they want. There’s really no “untouchable” players outside of Matas Buzelis who is expected to be a key building block for the future.

The Bulls hold pick No. 4 and No. 15 in the first round which gives them the chance to add two young players. And at No. 4, they could land a potential superstar. But the big offseason storyline for the Bulls could be what they do in free agency.

Chicago hasn’t been super active over the past few seasons in terms of going out and spending a ton of money. They did give Josh Giddey a big deal last offseason but outside of that, there just hasn’t been much of an opportunity. That should change, however.

The Bulls will have a good amount of cap space to spend this offseason. With needs, they can address some of them by spending that money and adding key pieces. While the free agency period is still a few weeks away, the Bulls are already being linked to a key free agent who can help on the perimeter.

Chicago Bulls linked to Austin Reaves

The Athletic’s Dan Woike and Sam Amick wrote on Austin Reaves’ upcoming free agency. He listed a few teams that could be interested in Reaves, including the Bulls:

“While team and league sources believe that the Lakers and Reaves will eventually land on a contract that makes sense, the door for Reaves to walk is open should he get a big offer elsewhere,” Woike and Amick wrote last Tuesday.

“Rival executives predicted Reaves could command $40 million a season due to a combination of his play, his age, and, perhaps most importantly, a free-agent class completely devoid of players as productive as him in their prime.”

“At present, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, who both have needs at the guard position, are the only teams with the sort of salary-cap space available to meet that sort of financial mark. Other teams that are known to have some interest in Reaves — like Utah and Atlanta, per league sources — would need to make roster moves to find the necessary space. League sources say winning will be a significant factor in Reaves’ thinking.”

Reaves is coming off another impressive 2025-26 season with the Lakers and will be seeking a big deal. Many believe he could get close to $40 million a year in free agency. If that’s the case, it’s unlikely the Lakers would match that.

But is he a fit for the Bulls?

Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game during the regular season. He shot 49 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from three. At 27-years-old, Reaves is still somewhat young and could be a nice piece to add for the Bulls.

The post Chicago Bulls linked to pricey Los Angeles Lakers pending free agent appeared first on ChiCitySports.