The Bulls will use the open spot on their 15-man roster to promote Onuralp Bitim from his two-way deal to a standard contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reports that Bitim is signing a multi-year pact with the team.
Bitim is in his first NBA season after playing professionally for several years in Turkey. He made the All-EuroCup Second Team for Bursaspor last season, averaging 18.1 points and 3.2 assists in 18 EuroCup contests before agreeing to come stateside to join the Bulls.
The Turkish wing — who will turn 25 next month — has not had a role in Chicago so far this season, however, appearing briefly in just two games at the NBA level.
While Bitim has yet to score his first NBA point, he has played regularly for the Windy City Bulls, appearing in 22 Showcase Cup and regular season G League games so far this season.
Bitim has averaged 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 30.1 minutes per contest for Windy City, posting a shooting line of .415/.363/.909.
Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they have improved as of late — he has averaged 16.7 PPG with a .433 3-point percentage since the NBA G League regular season began at the end of December.
It seems the Bulls have liked what they’ve seen from Bitim enough to give him a promotion and to give themselves the option of having him on next season’s roster at a minimum salary rate.
Terms of his new contract have yet to be reported, but I imagine it will include little to no guaranteed money beyond this season, giving the club some flexibility.
Once Bitim’s promotion is official, the Bulls will have a full 15-man standard roster, with one of their two-way slots open. They’ll have until March 4 to fill that two-way opening.
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