Derrick Favors and Kahlil Whitney have been signed by the Bulls to training camp contracts, the team announced (Twitter link). For the next season, both players are most likely to join the Windy City Bulls, the team’s G League affiliate.
Favors reportedly signed a G League deal on Saturday, so it’s probable that signing with the Bulls is only a formality to ensure he ends up in Windy City. It’s likely that both players signed Exhibit 10 contracts, which guarantee them bonuses of up to $75K if they’re released by the Bulls and stay at least 60 days with Windy City, given that the release states that both players are signing camp contracts.
32-year-old NBA veteran Favors has played for the Nets, Jazz, Pelicans, and Thunder in 790 games (503 starts), averaging 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds over the course of his 11-year career. In the 2015–16 season, when he averaged 16.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks, he had his greatest statistical year. Earlier this week, the 6’9″ forward shared his thoughts on his career and aspirations for the future, with Favors planning a return to the NBA.
OFFICIAL: We have signed center Derrick Favors and forward Kahlil Whitney to camp contracts. pic.twitter.com/1huc9xguiu
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 17, 2023
As he tries to stay in the NBA, Whitney has had a fascinating experience. He joined Kentucky in 2019–20 as a five-star talent out of high school, however he only played in one season. However, in 18 games (eight starts) during his first season, he only averaged 3.3 points. He unexpectedly signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Hornets after going undrafted in the 2020 draft, becoming one-and-done.
The 6’7″ wing, who is just 22 years old, has recent G League and international experience. In 18 games during the regular season and Showcase Cup with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers last year, Whitney scored an average of 5.5 points.
If not right now, Favors and Whitney may both shown enough to remain with the Bulls in the future. Although the Bulls have a complete 15-man standard roster, Terry Taylor and Carlik Jones’ contracts won’t be fully guaranteed until January 10. As a result, it’s likely that the Bulls may eventually switch around the players in those positions. Whitney is also qualified for a two-way contract, but the Bulls currently have three open places.
