Bulls exercise – Chicago has exercised a $2.4 million team option for Leonard Miller, making his deal temporarily non-guaranteed before it becomes fully guaranteed on June 30. If the option is declined, Miller would be eligible for a three-year $52.4 million contract.
The Chicago Bulls moved quickly once the draft week momentum settled—exercising a $2.4 million team option for Leonard Miller, a decision that reshapes his status and his runway in the organization.
Miller’s contract is now temporarily non-guaranteed. The guarantee is set to switch on June 30, when it becomes fully guaranteed. If Chicago declines the team option instead, Miller would become eligible for a three-year $52.4 million contract.
The financial chessboard is already laid out for Chicago’s offseason. The Bulls can reach $63.5 million in cap space this summer. With that in mind. the most likely path is a re-signing rather than a more complex arrangement—one that keeps Miller in Chicago without a lucrative extension that includes a trade option. giving him time to prove what he can do for the team.
Miller is arriving off a strong stretch with Chicago after the team acquired him in February from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Over 27 games with the Bulls, he averaged 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 23.1 minutes per game. His shooting stood out: 55.5% from the field and 35.6% from 3-point range. He also started in 12 games.
Chicago’s expectations don’t come from nowhere. During the season portion of his career in Minnesota, Miller’s role was far smaller—he logged 179 total minutes over 2.5 seasons with the Timberwolves. In Chicago, those numbers jumped: he played 378 minutes over 19 games.
Many had expected the Bulls to keep Miller for the future after that February trade. But the timing of the roster shift matters too. With additions of Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain to the rotation, it could be a tougher climb for Miller to earn consistent playing time.
Still, the option decision keeps the door open. If Miller can solidify his place this year, the Bulls’ path for him—and the possibilities for the years ahead—would look much clearer.
Chicago Bulls Leonard Miller NBA draft team option contract Caleb Wilson Dailyn Swain Minnesota Timberwolves cap space
So basically they’re keeping him but not really? NBA contracts are so confusing.
I don’t trust “temporarily non-guaranteed” like that sounds like he’s about to get cut the second June hits. Bulls always doing weird stuff with money.
Wait if they decline the option he gets like $52M?? Why would they ever decline that, unless he’s trash or injured or something. Also 35% from 3 seems decent? idk maybe that’s not good in NBA terms.
June 30 guarantee like it’s a cliffhanger lol. I figured Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain would already take his spot, so this is probably just to delay the inevitable. But if he was averaging 11.7 points, why not just lock him in now? Makes no sense to me, sounds like cap space games to me.