The Bulls have waived Onuralp Bitim and Kenneth Lofton Jr., the team tweets.
Bitim was battling for the last spot on the roster on a non-guaranteed contract. Bitim, 25, would have received $350K if he had made the opening night roster. He underwent surgery for a detached retina in the spring.
He began last season on a two-way contract but was promoted to Chicago’s standard roster in February.
After making his NBA debut on February 22, Bitim appeared in 22 total games for Chicago, averaging 3.6 points and 1.5 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .381/.273/.800.
Loften signed an Exhibit 10 contract in August. Lofton began last season on the Grizzlies’ 15-man roster, but was waived in December. He spent a couple months on a two-way deal with Philadelphia, then was waived again in March and signed a rest-of-season contract with the Jazz, who cut him before his ’24/25 salary became partially guaranteed.
Assuming Lofton isn’t claimed, he could receive a bonus of up to $77.5K if he joins the G League’s Windy City Bulls and remains with them for at least 60 days.
The Bulls camp roster now stands at 18, including a pair of two-way players.
These moves would seemingly improve the chances of Talen Horton-Tucker making the roster. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract last month.
I wish Lofton had shown more. Bulls really are short on bigs.