NBA free agency 2016: 5 targets for Bulls

Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) celebrates with forward Nikola Mirotic (44) during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) reacts after dunking against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ian Mahinmi

By the same logic that we used when looking at why the Bulls would potentially target Zaza Pachulia in NBA free agency, they should definitely be in the market for a center that could fit heavily into the rotation for them. However, targeting one of the centers on the market that will demand top-dollar in a contract isn’t really a possible move for the Bulls this offseason. That’s just the first reason targeting a player like Ian Mahinmi makes a ton of sense for them.

Mahinmi showed that he could be a productive cog in a system over his time with the Indiana Pacers, but was ultimately put in a bad position by the end of the year with the emergence of Myles Turner. Turner’s emergence ultimately diminished his role in the rotation—but that shouldn’t serve as a reason for why teams shouldn’t be giving the veteran big man a good look on the open market this summer.

Though this is another free agency target that wouldn’t make a huge splash, it’s a play I’d really like for the Bulls. Mahinmi would be yet another player that could produce in whatever role he’s put into and that would be a good veteran to have in the lineup moving forward.

Next: No. 2 Chandler Parsons

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