Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Chicago Bulls Release Two Players After Timberwolves Game

Originally posted on Chicago Bulls on SI | By Joey Linn | Last updated 10/17/24

The Chicago Bulls are amid a rebuild. Trading away DeMar DeRozan (sign and trade) and Alex Caruso this offseason, the Bulls finally pivoted away from an iteration of their roster that was going nowhere.

Now leaning much more into youth, the Bulls are focused on the future. This makes training camp and the preseason especially important, because Chicago will be looking at potential long term options who may not have been kept around in previous years.

Playing their fourth preseason game of the year on Wednesday, the Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-123. Now an even 2-2 on the preseason, Chicago will play one more exhibition contest before opening their regular season on October 23 against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Everyone wins because Lonzo Ball is back. pic.twitter.com/3vy5AfElsZ
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 17, 2024

Following their win over Minnesota, the Bulls announced that they had released two players.

Via Bulls: “Transactions: We have waived Onuralp Bitim & Kenneth Lofton Jr. Thank you for your hard work and best of luck.”

Transactions: We have waived Onuralp Bitim & Kenneth Lofton Jr.

Thank you for your hard work and best of luck. pic.twitter.com/uRbv1hGSmx
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 17, 2024

Lofton has been unable to stick with an NBA team, but has shown impressive flashes of ability in the G League. Averaging 22.8 points and 10.0 rebounds in 34 career regular season G League games, Lofton has earned himself a few NBA opportunities that have been short lived.

Bitim appeared in 23 NBA games for the Bulls last season, averaging 3.5 points in 11.7 minutes per game.

This article first appeared on Chicago Bulls on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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