To begin 2024-25, the Chicago Bulls rostered rookie Matas Buzelis, Torrey Craig, Chris Duarte, Talen Horton-Tucker, Julian Phillips, and Patrick Williams on the wing. In Chicago’s first game of last season, Billy Donovan trotted out these forwards for merely 51 minutes. Thus, roughly a fifth of the Bulls’ allocated minutes went to forwards.

Throughout the season, Chicago’s wing unit only thinned out more. Craig and Duarte were released, while Williams took a backseat post-All-Star break. A case can be made that Zach LaVine is a wing—he spent roughly 80 percent of his time before being traded at small forward. Yet, that proves the point: a 6-foot-5, 200-pound defensive liability shouldn’t have been tasked with playing up a position. LaVine is a natural shooting guard through and through.

Fast forward to now, and the Bulls roster includes second-year Buzelis, Kevin Huerter, Phillips, Williams, and two new additions, rookie Noa Essengue and veteran Isaac Okoro.

The Bulls’ forward unit has been totally revamped

Chicago spent the 12th overall pick to select the athletic French wing. Essengue is a fluid 6-foot-10, 200-pound forward who excels in transition and projects as a vaunted defender. However, at 18 years old, Essengue was the second-youngest prospect in the NBA Draft. The Orléans, France native doesn’t turn 19 until December 18. Assuming Donovan takes a similar approach with Essengue as he did with Buzelis, the rookie won’t see ample playing time until at least the All-Star break.

Using a means other than the NBA Draft, Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas acquired Okoro via trade. The Bulls sent Lonzo Ball in exchange for the defensive ace. While it’s fair to say Okoro is a distressed asset, having underachieved as a former fifth-overall pick, he’s a reliable wing who’s proven efficient offensively and staunch on the less glamorous end.

Donovan will start Buzelis and Okoro, with Williams and Huerter the first wings off the bench. Don’t be surprised if Essengue and the up-and-coming Phillips are largely used for mop-up duty. All of a sudden, with such a deep wing unit, the Bulls’ once-reported free agent targets are likely no longer feasible.

The Bulls were once said to covet Golden State Warriors’ restricted free agent, Jonathan Kuminga, and Minnesota Timberwolves’ unrestricted free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Chicago’s supposed free agency targets are likely no more

Kuminga, a former lottery pick, has enjoyed an impactful yet underutilized career. This past season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points in only 24.3 minutes per game. After averaging 21.0 points in December, an injury, coupled with the Warriors’ acquisition of Jimmy Butler, decimated Kuminga’s playing time. Thus, he’s a prime prospect to depart from the Bay Area amid free agency—even if it means a sign-and-trade.

While it’s plausible that Kuminga resents his role with the Warriors, the same cannot be said of Alexander-Walker, who was given a second chance in Minneapolis. Following several unproductive, inefficient seasons spent between Utah and New Orleans, Alexander-Walker broke out with the Timberwolves, evolving into one of the league’s better perimeter defenders, all while being paid near the league minimum.

After two standout seasons, earning $9 million, Alexander-Walker will surely seek a pay increase. Minnesota is already well aware of this development. The Timberwolves have drafted athletic two-guards Jaylen Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr. in recent seasons, and just extended sixth-man Naz Reid for a whopping $125 million. It’s all but certain Alexander-Walker will soon find a new home with the starting price at the non-tax mid-level exception.

Just weeks after it seemed probable the Bulls would sign one of Kuminga or Alexander-Walker, the door has now closed. The additions of Essengue and Okoro make it implausible. Moreover, both new Bulls are of a similar ilk to that of Kuminga and Alexander-Walker. Essengue relies on his physique and athletic prowess to score, and the same goes for Kuminga. Okoro falls under the lower-usage, 3-and-D archetype, like Alexander-Walker.

Considering Chicago’s influx of wings, a reserve floor general or a rim-running big man is now likely atop the Bulls’ free agency wishlist. Now that Ball is off the roster, don’t be surprised if Tre Jones returns. Lastly, former Atlanta Hawk Clint Capela makes for an ideal addition.