CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls have exercised their fourth-year option on Bobby Portis after the forward was suspended for eight games for injuring teammate Nikola Mirotic during a fight at practice.
The Bulls also picked up third-year options on guards Kris Dunn and Denzel Valentine and fourth-year options on guards Jerian Grant and Cameron Payne. The moves were announced on Friday, meaning the players are under contract for the 2018-19 season.
Portis and Mirotic got into an altercation during practice on Oct. 17. Mirotic suffered broken bones in his face as well as a concussion. He likely will need surgery.
Portis publicly apologized to Mirotic last Saturday. He said at the time that he had reached out to Mirotic, but had not received a response.
Cameron Payne was a bit of a surprise because he has suffered two major foot injuries in the past year, and struggled on the court even when healthy.
There’s internal belief that, if healthy, Payne can still have impact with young, athletic rebuilding team. https://t.co/SeOCnRnboh
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 27, 2017
