Bulls explored ways to keep Javon Freeman-Liberty before Raptors deal
The Chicago Bulls entered the offseason with the goal of improving their roster. They were against the idea of a rebuild, and they seemingly still are. In turn, their moves were designed to get back into the postseason.
They re-signed Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu and signed Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig in free agency. They drafted Julian Phillips in the second round, and after the draft, they signed rookie Adama Sanogo to a two-way contract. With Onrulap Bitim and Justin Lewis also earning two-way spots, Chicago’s roster has one spot available (a standard deal).
This means that they had to let summer league standout Javon Freeman-Liberty walk. According to KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the Bulls wanted to keep him.
“Some believed Freeman-Liberty would be elevated to a contract with the Bulls,” Johnson wrote. “Yet, the Bulls solidified their two-way spots on Friday, signing Onuralp Bitim to their final spot. Adama Sanogo and Justin Lewis represent the other two-way spots on the team.
The Bulls still explored ways to keep Freeman-Liberty, according to Keith Glass, his longtime agent. But Toronto’s opportunity proved too enticing because the Bulls no longer had any two-way contracts available. Freeman-Liberty played well for the Windy City Bulls last season.”
In Toronto, Freeman-Liberty will be on a two-way contract, but with the current point guard rotation the Raptors have in place, he has a chance to emerge as a legitimate rotation player.
