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The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed guard/forward Onuralp Bitim (pronounced OH-nur-alp Bih-team) to a two-way contract.

Bitim, 6-6, 205, averaged 18.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.8 minutes through 30 games for Bursaspor (Turkey), a part of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL), in 2022-23.

The 24-year-old Kadiköy, Turkey native finished the 2022-23 BSL campaign ranked top-10 in the league in several offensive categories, including three-point field goals made (first – 85), total points (second – 551), field goals made (second – 199), points per game (fifth – 18.4) and three-point shooting percentage (seventh – .409).

During EuroCup action a season ago, Bitim posted averages of 18.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 32.2 minutes. Across 18 games of EuroCup play, Bitim finished third in points per game, scored 15 or more points in 15 games and was the only EuroCup participant in 2022-23 to average more than 16.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest. His production helped Bitim earn his first All-EuroCup Team honors, garnering a Second Team selection.

Bitim has suited up for Anadolu Efes (2017-18; 2018-19), Sigortam.Net ITU BB (2017-18), Pinar Karsiyaka (2020-21) and Bursaspor (2021-23). He won a BSL championship with Anadolu Efes in 2019 and was named the Turkish League Slam Dunk Contest winner in 2020.

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Bulls sign Onuralp Bitim to Two-Way Contract

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has signed forward Torrey Craig. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Craig, 6-7, 221, recorded career-high averages in points (7.4), rebounds (5.4), assists (1.5), blocks (0.8) and minutes (24.7) while appearing in 79 games (60 starts) with the Phoenix Suns in 2022-23. Craig shot a career-best .395 from three-point range and made 100 three-pointers (100-253 3FG) on the season. He was the only Suns player to total at least 50 steals (50) and 50 blocks (62) in 2022-23.

Craig continued his stellar play into the 2023 NBA Playoffs, starting all five games in the first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers while posting 12.4 points per game (.647 FG%, .556 3FG%) to go along with 3.6 rebounds per contest. The six-year NBA veteran tallied a postseason career-high 22 points (9-12 FG, 2-4 3FG) in the series’ opener before hitting five and three triples in Games Two and Three, respectively. Craig has appeared in 75 playoff games throughout his career, averaging 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 16.3 minutes.

A native of Columbia, S.C., Craig holds career NBA averages of 6.0 points (.456 FG%, .347 3FG%), 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.6 blocks in 19.9 minutes through 379 games (153 starts). He began his NBA career on a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets in 2017-18 before signing a multi-year deal with the Nuggets from 2018-20. Craig then suited up for the Milwaukee Bucks (2020-21), Indiana Pacers (2021-22) and Phoenix Suns on two stints (2020-21, 2021-23).

Prior to the NBA, Craig spent four seasons at the University of South Carolina Upstate while averaging 16.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks in 31.0 minutes across 131 games (124 starts). Craig was a three-time First Team All-Atlantic Sun (A-Sun) selection (2012, 2013, 2014) while earning A-Sun Player of the Year in 2012. As a freshman, he was the 2011 A-Sun Rookie of the Year and named to the 2010-11 A-Sun All-Freshman team.

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Bulls sign Torrey Craig

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The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has signed guard Jevon Carter. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Carter, 6-1, 200, arrives in Chicago following a career year with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022-23. Carter posted career highs of 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.8 steals in 22.3 minutes per game over 81 games (39 starts). Carter shot .421 from three-point range last season, marking the 12th-highest percentage in the NBA among qualified players. He made multiple three-pointers in 38 games a year ago, including at least four triples in 13 contests. Carter knocked down five three-pointers en route to a career-high 36 points along with a career-high 12 assists against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 9, 2022.

A native of Maywood, Ill. who played his high school basketball at Proviso East, Carter has spent five years in the NBA with the Bucks (2022-23), Brooklyn Nets (2021-22), Phoenix Suns (2019-21) and Memphis Grizzlies (2018-19) after being drafted 32nd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by Memphis. He holds career averages of 5.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.6 steals in 16.3 minutes through 304 NBA games (48 starts).

Prior to entering the NBA, Carter starred at West Virginia for four seasons while becoming the first-ever major conference player and fifth player ever in college basketball history to reach 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 300 steals in a collegiate career. He ranks second all-time in Big 12 history in steals (330) and 11th in career assists (559). Carter was a 2017-18 Consensus All-America Second Team selection as a senior while averaging 17.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 3.0 steals in 35.5 minutes over 37 games (all starts). He garnered Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and NABC Defensive Player of the Year in his junior and senior campaigns, while being named Big 12 All-Defense three times and All-Big 12 twice (First Team in 2017-18, Second Team in 2016-17).

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Bulls sign Jevon Carter

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed guard Coby White to a multi-year contract. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

White, 6-5, 206, averaged 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 23.4 minutes across 74 games (two starts) for Chicago in 2022-23. He was one of Chicago’s most consistent three-point shooters last season at a .372 clip from distance, notching 40 games with at least two three-pointers made, which ranked second on the team in such games (Zach LaVine – 54). The Wilson, N.C. native ranks fifth on the Bulls all-time three-point list with 560 three-point makes in a Chicago uniform and passed Michael Jordan for sole possession of fifth last season. He became the fastest player in Bulls history to reach 500 career three-point makes (237 games).

The four-year veteran scored in double figures in 36 games in 2022-23, including three occasions of 20-plus points. White led Chicago in assists in eight games a season ago – highlighted by a season-high 11 assists, alongside 24 points and seven rebounds at the Dallas Mavericks on Apr. 7, 2023.

Between Mar. 15 and the end of the NBA regular season, White increased his averages – logging 13.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 27.6 minutes in the last 15 games (one start) of the 2022-23 campaign. White averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 28 minutes across two NBA Play-In Tournament games, leading Chicago in assists (five) at Toronto on Apr. 12, 2023.

White was selected seventh overall by the Bulls in the 2019 NBA Draft. He earned Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors in February of 2020 and was later selected to the 2020 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

White has spent his entire four-year career with Chicago, posting career averages of 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 26.9 minutes through 269 games (74 starts).

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Bulls sign Coby White

The Chicago Bulls have acquired forward Otto Porter Jr. from the Washington Wizards in exchange for forwards Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis, and a protected 2023 second-round draft pick.

Otto Porter Jr. (6-8, 198) was selected third overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2013 NBA Draft. Over his six seasons in the league, he has put up career averages of 10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.18 steals in 384 games (271 starts) while shooting .483 from the field, .399 from three (17th among active players) and .786 from the free throw line. He has played in 31 career postseason games and put up averages of 10.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.26 steals per game while shooting .490 from the field, .333 from three and .719 from the free throw line. In both 2016-17 and 2017-18, he averaged over 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting above .400 from three. If Porter were to hit those benchmarks again in a season, he would be the fifth NBA player ever to post such numbers in at least three seasons. Porter’s true shooting numbers over those two years were .628 and .602, respectively. The .628 mark in 2016-17 ranked seventh in the NBA.

This season, Porter is averaging 12.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and a career-high 1.56 steals (tied-14th) in 41 games (28 starts). Over his last 15 games, he has posted 14.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.80 steals on .418 shooting from the field, .372 from three and .750 from the free throw line. Porter’s steal-to-turnover ratio of 1.60 ranks fourth in the NBA. The Wizards’ offensive rating improved by 2.9 points per 100 possessions when he was on rather than off the court.

“We are excited to add Otto Porter to our team. During his time in the NBA, Otto has proven to be a terrific three-point shooter., while also being very efficient. While in his sixth pro season, he is only 25 years old and is someone who will be a good fit for our team moving forward,” said Gar Forman, General Manager of the Chicago Bulls.

Parker (6-8, 250) signed with the Bulls as a free agent on July 14, 2018. He is averaging 14.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26.7 minutes per game this season and is shooting .474 from the field, .325 from three-point range and .731 from the free-throw line.

Portis (6-11, 250) was drafted by Chicago in the first round (22nd selection) of the 2015 NBA Draft. He is averaging 14.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.1 minutes per game this season and is shooting .450 from the field, .375 from three-point range and .780 from the free-throw line. In 221 career games (27 starts) with the Bulls, Portis held averages of 9.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.3 minutes and shot .461 from the field, .350 from long range and .743 from the foul line. He appeared in six playoff games for Chicago and averaged 6.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.50 steals in 20.1 minutes per game and shot .515 from the field and .462 from three-point range.

Click here to view photos of Otto Porter Jr.

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Bulls complete trade with Wizards

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The Chicago Bulls have traded a protected second-round pick of the 2020 NBA Draft to the Houston Rockets for guard Michael Carter-Williams and cash considerations. In a preceding move, the Bulls waived guard MarShon Brooks. Carter-Williams was also waived following the trade. 

Chicago’s roster now stands at 16, including two Two-way players.

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Bulls complete trade with Rockets

The Chicago Bulls have traded forward Justin Holiday to the Memphis Grizzlies for guard MarShon Brooks and guard/forward Wayne Selden Jr., as well as the Grizzlies’ 2019 and 2020 second-round picks. In a related move, the Bulls also waived guard Cameron Payne.

Brooks (6-5, 200) was selected 25th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2011 NBA Draft, but was moved to the New Jersey Nets in a draft-night deal. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team during the 2011-12 season. An NBA veteran with five seasons of service, Brooks has also played for the Celtics, Warriors, Lakers and Grizzlies. He holds career NBA averages of 8.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.3 minutes per game. This season, Brooks is averaging 6.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 13.3 minutes over 29 games. He also played overseas from 2014-17 and has played in the G League for the Maine Red Claws and Santa Cruz Warriors.

Selden Jr. (6-5, 230) went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. He played three games with the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2016-17 season while on a 10-day contract before being signed by the Grizzlies for the remainder of 2016-17 through this season. Over his NBA career, Selden has averaged 7.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.1 minutes per game. This season, he’s averaging 5.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 14.2 minutes per game. Selden also has G League experience with the Memphis Hustle.

The Bulls signed Holiday as a free agent prior to the start of the 2017-18 season. He was also with the Bulls during part of the 2015-16 season after being traded from the Atlanta Hawks. In his time with Chicago, Holiday averaged 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.21 steals in 29.9 minutes per game.

Payne came to Chicago via a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2016-17 season. Over three seasons with the Bulls, Payne averaged 6.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 18.8 minutes per game.

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Chicago Completes Trade with Memphis

The Chicago Bulls have exercised the third-year option on Lauri Markkanen, and fourth-year options on guards Kris Dunn and Denzel Valentine. By exercising their options, all players will be under contract with the Bulls for the 2019-20 season.

Markkanen came to the Bulls in a Draft-night trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves on June 22, 2017, in which his rights were acquired, along with Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine, in exchange for Jimmy Butler and the rights to the 16th selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. Markkanen was selected to the All-Rookie First Team last season after playing in 68 games (68 starts) and averaging 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 29.7 minutes per game. Markkanen set a Bulls’ franchise record for most 3-point field goals made in a rookie season (145) and was the fastest rookie in NBA history to reach 100 3-pointers made when he hit 101 through his first 41 games. Markkanen was also a participant in the 2018 Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game and a finalist in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

The Bulls acquired Dunn in the Draft-night trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves on June 22, 2017. Last season, he played in 52 games (43 starts) and averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.00 steals in 29.3 minutes per game. His career averages are 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.39 steals over 131 games. Dunn scored a career-high 32 points to go along with nine assists on Jan. 5, 2018, at Dallas, and he joined Michael Jordan as the only two players for the Bulls to have a game with at least 20 points, 12 assists, four steals and two blocks on Dec. 26, 2017, at Milwaukee. Dunn has played in one game this season on Oct. 22 at Dallas, and he scored nine points with four rebounds and seven assists.

Valentine was selected 14th overall by Chicago in the 2016 NBA Draft. He played in a team-high 77 games in 2017-18 (37 starts), and averaged 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 27.2 minutes per game. He has averaged 8.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his career over 134 games. Valentine’s 143 3-pointers made last season rank as the 11th-highest single-season total in Bulls history. On March 17, 2018, vs. Cleveland, he recorded career highs in points (34), field goals made (13) and 3-pointers made (eight).

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Bulls exercise options on Markkanen, Dunn, and Valentine

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