It didn’t take long for Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham to start putting his fingerprints on the roster.
Heck, he didn’t even hold out until draft night.
Knowing that there would be a vacancy in the middle with both Zach Collins and Nick Richards headed into free agency, Graham and the Bulls were part of a three-way deal that resulted in the acquisition of center Nic Claxton, a team source confirmed.
The Claxton deal not only allows the Nets to move some salary off the books, but also allows brings in All-Star Julius Randle and pick No. 28 in Tuesday’s NBA Draft from Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves can continue their pursuit of free agent Ayo Dosunmu.
As for the 6-11 Claxton, the Bulls add a veteran big who brings rim protection into the mix and has two years left on his current deal. Claxton was scheduled to make $23 million next season and $21 million in the 2027-28 season.
Because the Bulls are using cap space to acquire Claxton the deal can’t become finalized until July 6. It could, however, change the approach to the draft, especially at pick No. 15 where the Bulls could have tried grabbing one of the few bigs projected in that spot.
If they do grab Caleb Wilson at No. 4, guard could be a priority at No. 15 if the board falls the right way.