Chicago Bulls connected to restricted free agent forward

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Chicago Bulls connected to restricted free agent forward

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Pearson | Last updated Jun 2, 2026 8:27 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls will enter another rebuild this offseason after an unsuccessful season in 2025-26, again. They unloaded talent at the NBA Trade Deadline to acquire a handful of second-round picks. Just over a month later, they moved on from this regime and cleared house.

Now, the team is putting everything in the hands of Bryson Graham who is the lead executive in the Bulls’ front office. This will be Graham’s first offseason in charge and it’s key that he gets it right. The Bulls do have two first-round picks to work with which is a great start as it includes the No. 4 overall pick.

However, free agency could be the true test for him in terms of getting this rebuild off to a good start. And the latest rumor has them connected to a restricted free agent forward.

Tari Eason is a name to watch for Chicago Bulls

May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) reacts after a made basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

At pick No. 4, the most likely scenario is North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson falling to the Bulls. They could also have the opportunity to draft Cameron Boozer if the Memphis Grizzlies go with Wilson instead. But what happens if someone like Darryn Peterson falls to four for the Bulls and they take the guard instead of a forward?

That could open the door for someone like Tari Eason to make his way to Chicago. The Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley wrote on Eason and the Bulls, calling him a name to watch:

FREE AGENCY: Graham’s no-shortcut approach carries a lot of weight in what the Bulls will do with all their salary-cap money, meaning it won’t be spent unwisely. A name to keep an eye on is restricted free agent Tari Eason, but that would play out only if something unforeseen happens with the No. 4 pick.

Eason is a restricted free agent after he and the Houston Rockets couldn’t come to a long term agreement. Despite some struggles this season, Eason was strong in the playoffs for the Rockets.

In 60 games this year, he averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from the three-point line.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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