The Chicago Bulls ensured Zach Collins will not reach free agency, agreeing to a two-year, $17 million contract extension just before the June 30 deadline for veteran extensions. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the deal was finalized after several days of negotiations before free agency officially opened.
The extension represents another step in the Bulls’ offseason overhaul following a 31-51 campaign that ended with the franchise 12th in the Eastern Conference. After reshaping the roster at the trade deadline and continuing those changes during the draft, Chicago has now opted to maintain continuity in its frontcourt by keeping Collins in the fold.
Collins appeared in just 10 games for the Bulls during the 2025-26 season but was productive when available. He averaged 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 18.4 minutes per game while shooting an efficient 57.8% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range on 2.1 attempts per game. His .648 effective field-goal percentage highlighted the offensive efficiency he provided in a limited sample.
The 28-year-old first joined Chicago late in the 2024-25 season after beginning the year with the San Antonio Spurs. Across 28 games with the Bulls that season, he averaged 8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 54.1% from the field. Combining his two stints in Chicago, Collins has averaged 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds over 38 games with the organization.
A former No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Collins has battled injuries throughout his career but has developed into a versatile frontcourt player capable of stretching the floor. Over eight NBA seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Spurs and Bulls, he owns career averages of 8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 388 games while shooting 48.5% from the field and 33.4% from beyond the arc.
Chicago’s decision to retain Collins comes after a busy offseason that has significantly reshaped the roster. The Bulls acquired center Nic Claxton in a draft-night trade, selected Caleb Wilson with the fourth overall pick and added wing Dailyn Swain at No. 15. Earlier in the year, the front office also traded veterans Nikola Vucevic and Coby White as part of a broader rebuilding effort focused on younger talent and future flexibility.
Chicago’s projected core entering the 2026-27 season includes Josh Giddey, Collin Sexton, Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams, Claxton and its two first-round rookies.
