There's a Noah making his return to the Bulls this season. No, not that one.
The Bulls have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent forward Noah Vonleh, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday morning.
In 36 combined games with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets last season, Vonleh averaged 10.5 minutes, 3.7 points and 3.4 rebounds. Those teams marked the fifth and sixth stops of the former No. 9 overall pick's six-year career. One of those stints was with the Bulls during the 2017-18 campaign, in which he played 21 games, made four starts and averaged 6.9 points and 6.9 rebounds.
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Before agreeing with Vonleh, the Bulls' roster was full with 15 guaranteed contracts (including Garrett Temple, whose agreed-upon contract has yet to be made official). Until the night before the season tips off -- this year, Dec. 22 -- the Bulls can have up to 20 players rostered, meaning Vonleh could be a training camp flier.
His pending deal could also foreshadow another roster move. Thad Young, who has one guaranteed year remaining on his contract at $13.5 million before a $6 million partial guarantee in 2021-22, stands out as a potential trade candidate. Cristiano Felício, who has one year left on his contract for $7.5 million could also be waived to free up a roster spot, though the Bulls would have to eat that money. If Vonleh were to stick through camp, he'd add to a crowded frontcourt rotation.
In any event, the Bulls have 16 NBA contracts on their roster and will need to shave down to 15 by Dec. 21, not including the two-way deals of Adam Mokoka and Devon Dotson. Stay tuned.
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