Chicago Bulls: Luke Kornet contract shows commitment to versatility

The Chicago Bulls made the signing of big man Luke Kornet official on Wednesday. The deal proves the team is committed to versatility.

Over the course of free agency, the Chicago Bulls made a few key moves to help bolster the overall depth of the roster. It started with Thaddeus Young, followed by Tomas Satoransky and then the team brought in former New York Knicks center Luke Kornet.

The Young signing gives the Bulls options off the bench, as he can play either the three or four spot, with enough athleticism to play the five if need be. Satoransky, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-6 guard who plays point guard, shooting guard and small forward.

In Kornet, the Bulls are getting a 7-foot-1 center who, unlike the aforementioned guys, only plays one spot. However, he does have one major thing going for him at that position: He can shoot the long ball.

On Wednesday, the Bulls made the signing official. Kornet agreed to a 2-year deal worth $4.5 million, with all of it fully guaranteed.

That tells me a couple of things.

First off, John Paxson really wants four centers on this roster.

Alright, I kid, I kid — but seriously, four centers is a tad overboard. However, I’m not the man in charge.

On a serious note, this deal being fully guaranteed does show me that Kornet is absolutely part of the team’s plans. He will be in the rotation, with rookie Daniel Gafford coming off the bench as well. My bet is that Cristiano Felicio doesn’t see the floor at all, barring injuries to the three ahead of him.

Why is Kornet part of the plan, and how does he relate to the other moves in free agency? He fits today’s NBA. In today’s league, it is a huge advantage for big men to be able to shoot the long ball. He won’t be asked to do anything significant, but allowing him to come in and do what he does best for 10 minutes per game? That’s well-worth the small amount of cash.

Kornet plays well in a variety of situations. His mid-range shot is above average for a center, and he can catch-and-release better than most his size. Ask him to maneuver a pick-and-roll, and he’ll gladly oblige.

Last season, Kornet shot over 36 percent from three-point range and averaged over six boards per 36 minutes. As your third center off the bench, there’s not a whole lot more you could ask for.

Chicago’s offseason may not have been the loudest, but they are definitely trying to fit into today’s type of basketball. Kornet’s fully-guaranteed deal is another example of just that.