Chicago Bulls: 5 offseason questions looming large

What to do with Robin Lopez?

There was more than one occasion on which Robin Lopez’s name came up in trade discussions last season. The Bulls, of course, wanted to do their best tank job in terms of securing the highest draft pick they could possibly earn. One way they went about doing that — for which they were ultimately sternly warned by Adam Silver — was resting some of the veterans at times.

Lopez was a guy Fred Hoiberg chose to keep on the bench for a string of several games in a row later in the season, and it was well-known that the team was trying to trade the 30-year-old center.

Not only were they exploring the trade market for Lopez in December, but again in February prior to the deadline. In his final year under contract, Lopez will count approximately $14.35 million against the Bulls’ cap.

Here’s the thing: The Bulls know they won’t likely be huge players in free agency. Either way, they are hoping to have shed as much unnecessary salary by next summer as possible. With that, they’re hoping to have a more competitive roster in order to attract some bigger names.

If Lopez’s salary can be shed before next year, it not only gives the Bulls a chance to make an attempt at someone of higher notoriety this summer, but at the very least it gives them an opportunity to plan ahead for summer of 2019.