Bulls sign Turkish League MVP Onuralp Bitim |
There have been several rumors all offseason long about what the Bulls will or won't do in free agency. While some of the moves they have made thus far have been surprising, they did make a lot of sense as this team continues to have the pieces in place to make another postseason run.
One that was mentioned with the Bulls earlier this season was that of Turkish League MVP Onuralp Bitim, as he was rumored to be coveted by the Bulls. Despite those talks breaking off before the NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls made it official on Friday as Bitim has agreed to a two-way contract with the Bulls for 2023-24. Bitim worked out with the Bulls a lot this summer, and those workouts have paid off in the end as the Turkish international won more than just the appreciation of the franchise for his talents. Known as a sharpshooter, Bitim has drawn similar comparisons to that of Nikola Mirotic, just not quite as big. Expected to start the season with the G-League, Bitim also represents the Turkish National Team in the upcoming FIBA Championships, so the Bulls will get an up close and personal look as to how he fares against NBA-level talent. Bitim is an SG and is coming off a season where he averaged 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists this season for Frutti Extra Bursa. He did that while shooting nearly 41% from a distance, which was why the Bulls were so attracted to him. Chicago has been one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league the last few seasons and was dead last a year ago. Adding guys like Javon Carter and Torrey Craig this offseason should help improve that, but so will Bitim if he reaches the NBA and sees the floor. At 6-5 and weighing 213 pounds, Bitim has an excellent size for a SG and is still just 24 years old. Considering the numbers he has put up so far, you have to think he is only getting started, as his best days could still be on the way. I understand the International game is different than in America, but you can't teach shooting. If you have a good shooter, they can shoot anywhere, and Bitim is one of those guys who can change the game with his outside touch. With Adama Sanogo already on a two-way deal, Bitim would occupy the second of the three-two way deals the Bulls can give out as they put some stock in his abilities. That alone will make this team better, should he even give the Bulls something close to what he has done in Turkey thus far. This may not be a straight NBA contract, but signing him to a two-way contract works in the Bull's favor in both the short and long term. You are adding a guy who has shown plenty of potential and won an MVP award in the past. By adding him to your organization, you are forcing him to prove himself, and if he does, he earns the deal. While Bitim may thrive in the G-League, where the defense is, let's say, terrible, to put it lightly, he may find it hard to carve out anything more than a bench role in the NBA. However, the Bulls didn't have much shooting on the bench, so they can at least add that. Getting a film on him is hard, but to understand how he plays, you need to watch his film. He is a much more athletic player than people give him credit for, which could come in handy in the G-League. He has always had a very smooth shot on the offensive end but is now getting better at driving to the rim. He may not be an explosive athlete, but he does, however, have a soft touch from all areas of the floor. Bitim also has a very strong frame which helps him battle through traffic and finish at the rim against bigger defenders.
