Chicago Bulls general manager Marc Eversley talks about offseason moves

Marc Eversley explained the re-signings of Nikola Vucevic, Ayo Dosunmu, and Coby White.

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The Chicago Bulls’ offseason moves have received mixed reactions. While some have praised the acquisitions of high-quality and hardworking players like Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig, others have criticized how the team brought back several players from last season, including starting center Nikola Vucevic.

The Bulls’ general manager Marc Eversley recently spoke about the team’s offseason moves during an episode of the Bulls Talk Podcast and gave a rationale behind the decisions to re-sign Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu.

Hard to look for a starting center

The Bulls gave up a lot to acquire Vucevic back in 2021, so it stands to reason that the team would want to bring him back. Eversley noted that it is difficult to find a starting-caliber center in the NBA, so they decided to keep Vucevic on a three-year, $60-million contract.

“I’m excited for Vooch,” Eversley said. “There’s not many starting centers in the NBA. So if Vooch were to go away, how would you replace him? Those options were just not appealing to us. So retaining him became the No. 1 goal of the offseason.”

The 12-year-veteran had another solid season with the Bulls, playing all 82 games and averaging a double-double of 17.6 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 52 percent from the field, including 34.9 percent from three-point-land.

Loaded backcourt

Meanwhile, the Bulls shored up their backcourt by bringing back White on a three-year deal reportedly worth $36 million. While the North Carolina product did not average double-figures, he displayed an all-around game that spoke volumes about his improvement.

“Coby White had I thought a terrific year last year. I think the growth he has shown over the last three years has been second to nobody on the roster,” Eversley shared. “I think his ability to shoot (and) he’s much more comfortable handling it now. He doesn’t get pressured or panic anymore. He has found his voice in the locker room. He has become a quiet leader. We’ve seen growth and development from him. And that’s why it was critical to bring him back.”

Ayo then received a three-year, $21-million deal, thereby joining a loaded backcourt where minutes and opportunities may be hard to come by. Although Dosunmu struggled in his second year with the Bulls, Eversley believes in the latter’s potential and expects big things from the Illinois product.

“He would not argue with me; he didn’t have quite the second year he thought he might’ve. Call it a sophomore slump. But we’ve seen him in the Advocate Center and how hard he has worked from the end of the season to today and there’s nothing but good things that are going to happen to him,” Eversley added.