The Bulls are waiving center Marko Simonovic, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. The move is official, per NBA.com’s transaction log.
The seven-foot Simonovic has only appeared in 16 games over the last two seasons, so the move didn’t come as a surprise.
The 2020 second-round pick signed a multi-year contract in 2021 but his $1,836,096 salary for next season wasn’t guaranteed. Chicago had until Friday to decide whether to give him that full amount, as shown in our list of early salary guarantee dates for 2023/24.
Simonovic played 25 games last season for the G League Windy City Bulls, including 23 starts. He averaged 15.9 points and 9.9 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game.
Simonovic’s release leaves open a backup center spot behind Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond.
They never even gave him a decent chance. Drummond is toast.
Drummond needs more run
Thank god
So the question is, whom or what are they making room for? They only have 13 under contract after this move and I thought that Phillips is going to be a 2way. One of the 13 is Lonzo. So this means they must add at least 1 more player just to have a minimum roster.
Are they planning on another signing into the 6mil remaining of the MLE? Into the (as yet unapproved ) 10.2 DPE?
Or is there a trade or trade facilitation coming? Hope that the 14th contract is a BIG forward who can grab boards and/or defend the rim.
Yes that is exactly what the Bulls are lacking. A 6′ 9” or 6′ 10” player who can run and jump.
Thought that was what Torrey Craig was supposed to be. He’s 6-7 but plays bigger. He’s better than Derrick Jones anyway.
Like Torrey Craig. But like Derrick Jones and Javonte Green also. As you point out, Craig is 6-7, doesn’t really solve the problem of the Bull’s lack of height and rim protectors (shot blocking types).