Chicago Bulls linked to contentious $184 million offseason splash

Imagn Images

Chicago Bulls linked to contentious $184 million offseason splash

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated May 7, 2026 2:34 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls went just 31-51 this past year and have posted just one winning campaign over the last 10 NBA seasons, so they are definitely in need of a spark.

Fortunately, the Bulls are slated to have more cap room than any other team this summer, so they do have the ability to swing some big moves to bolster their roster for a potential playoff run in a weak Eastern Conference next year.

Of course, Chicago actually needs to make the right decisions with its money, and with so many of the top free agents in this year’s class being so polarizing, things will be challenging.

Nevertheless, the Bulls are expected to make a significant splash in free agency, and one name that has regularly been connected to the squad is Detroit Pistons big man Jalen Duren.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes recently published a piece in which he predicted what every team would do if free agency started today, and for Chicago, it was making a substantial offer to Duren.

Will the Chicago Bulls sign Jalen Duren?

May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Duren is a restricted free agent, meaning the Pistons can match any offer. But Hughes thinks the Bulls might be able to pry the All-Star away from Detroit.

“Boasting as much as $58 million in cap space, easily the most in the league, the Bulls could throw a max offer sheet of four years and $184 million at Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren and have a reasonable hope of the incumbent team not matching,” Hughes wrote. “Offer sheets tie up a team’s cap space until they’re matched, so the Bulls would be taking a calculated risk here. But what do they have to lose?”

While Duren is certainly enticing, $184 million is a whole lot of money to throw at a center with such a limited offensive repertoire and who has struggled in the playoffs this year. It’s also the type of move that could potentially set Chicago even further back if it doesn’t pan out.

Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds over 28.2 minutes per game this season, shooting 65 percent from the floor and 74.7 percent from the free-throw line. While his improved free-throw shooting was nice, Duren still lacks any semblance of a true offensive game, and he even has his fair share of struggles defensively, particularly when it comes to rim protection.

This free-agent class is pretty deep in terms of frontcourt talent, and there should be far cheaper options than Duren. Perhaps the Bulls should look elsewhere rather than offering Duren $46 million annually.

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

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