The Chicago Bulls have been looking for additional frontcourt depth behind Nikola Vucevic and landed it via the buyout market. Veteran center Tristan Thompson has joined Chicago for the stretch run.
Thompson was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Indiana Pacers leading up to the trade deadline. He appeared in four games for the Pacers, but took a buyout to join a contender. After spending the first nine years of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Bulls will be Thompson's fourth team in the last two seasons.
In order to make room for Thompson, Chicago waived wing Alfonzo McKinnie. McKinnie signed a two-year contract with the Bulls in late-December. Chicago now has just over $1 million in dead money on their books for McKinnie for the remainder of this season.
After playing well on COVID-related hardship 10-day deals, the Bulls signed McKinnie to a two-year, veteran minimum deal. In 17 games with Chicago, McKinnie averaged 3.5 points per game.