(670 The Score) Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr. will exercise his $28.5-million player option for the 2020-’21 season, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported Sunday night.
The news was expected, as it represented a big payday in an uncertain financial landscape for the oft-injured Porter, who played in just 14 of the Bulls’ 65 games last season. Porter, 27, was sidelined by a hip injury but did return to action just before the coronavirus halted play in March. The Bulls acquired Porter at the trade deadline in February 2019, and he was shut down for the final month of that season due to nagging neck and shoulder injuries.
Porter averaged 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 44.3% in 23.6 minutes per game last season. If healthy, he projects to be the Bulls’ starting small forward. This upcoming season represents the last on Porter's current contract.
With Porter back, the Bulls have 12 guaranteed contracts for this upcoming season. They also hold the No. 4 overall pick and a second-round selection in the NBA Draft on Wednesday evening. Guard Kris Dunn, wing Denzel Valentine and guard Shaq Harrison will all become restricted free agents if the Bulls extend the qualifying offer to them this week. If the Bulls don't, those players will become free agents. NBA free agency negotiations begin Friday evening, and signings can officially take place Sunday.
With Porter opting in, the Bulls are about $3 million below the $109.1-million salary cap for the 2020-'21 season. They'll cross that threshold once they sign their first-round draft selection, meaning they'll have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (about $9.3 million) and the bi-annual exception ($3.6 million) to utilize in free agency if they choose to do so.