Bulls add Daniel Oturu to training camp roster

Share

The Chicago Bulls are adding second-year free-agent center Daniel Oturu to their training camp roster, ESPN's Malika Andrews reported Sunday evening.

Oturu, a 6-foot-10, 22-year-old big man who was acquired by the Clippers in second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, will compete for one of the Bulls' two vacant roster spots — or a two-way contract — during camp, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 28. 

As it stands, the Bulls have 13 guaranteed contracts (plus Devon Dotson's two-way deal) on their books. In depth chart format, they shake out as follows:

PG: Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Devon Dotson*

SG: Zach LaVine, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Javonte Green

SF: DeMar DeRozan, Troy Brown Jr., Derrick Jones Jr.

PF: Patrick Williams

C: Nikola Vučević, Tony Bradley, Marko Simonović

* Two-way

Forwards Alize Johnson, Stanley Johnson and Tyler Cook, guards Matt Thomas and Ethan Thompson, and Oturu will vie for the final spots. They also bring the Bulls' camp roster to 20 players, which can't be exceeded and must be trimmed to 17 (15 guaranteed contracts, two two-way contracts) before the start of the regular season.

Working in Oturu's favor is a glaring need in the frontcourt. The Bulls were thin on depth and rim protection up front before Patrick Williams sustained a severe left ankle sprain that is expected to sideline him until at least mid-October. Even if the injury doesn't cost Williams regular-season time, it's a reminder of how tenuous the team's frontcourt situation is.

Oturu burst on the scene as a sophomore for Minnesota in 2019-20, averaging 20.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and earning All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defense honors.

In 30 games for the Clippers in 2020-21, Oturu averaged 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.7 minutes per contest. He then averaged 10.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in four Summer League games in August.

Click here to follow the Bulls Talk Podcast.

Contact Us