Of course, his current team would need to renounce its team option on him first.

And it’s not like he won’t have other, probably better suitors.

Chicago’s aimlessness could cost it in free agent hunt

The Bulls have lacked any cohesive direction since their utterly underwhelming playoff “run” in 2021-22, still their only postseason appearance beyond the play-in tournament in the past eight years.

Chicago team president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley seem content to trot out an undersized, guard-heavy roster that’s light on defense basically anywhere. Understandably, this has yielded in three consecutive lottery-bound seasons.

But would an injection of major defensive talent along the perimeter be just what the doctor ordered for the Bulls next summer?

Of course.

Would he ever want to sign with an aimless squad like Chicago? That’s the better question.

Elias Schuster of Bleacher Nation ranks All-Defensive First Team Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Luguentz Dort as the eighth-best possible free agent next summer. Schuster notes that, despite his reputation on one specific end of the hardwood, Dort would offer a new team some major offensive value, too.

“Year after year, Lu Dort proves to be one of the NBA’s best role players,” Schuster submits. “He is fresh off his first All-Defensive Team honor and even finished fourth in overall DPOY voting. On top of that, he has long been a high-volume three-point shooter and just shot a career-high 41.2 percent on 5.8 attempts a night. He would have a massive market next summer, but would OKC really let him go?”

The 26-year-old has an $18.2 million club option for 2026-27 that’s looking more appealing by the day, and it seems likely the Thunder will pick it up.

But the team’s roster is about to be significantly more expensive by then, with maximum contract extensions incoming for young stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Dort could be the victim of some frugal front office decision-making.

“In the rare event that Sam Presti does let Dort walk because of financial hurdles, the Bulls should absolutely go after him,” Schuster posits. “I know he may feel like the kind of player you add once you’re in a more competitive place, but I’d rather get the talent in the building first. Dort would help you continue to build an identity and give you one of the best wing defenders in the league.”