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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

The NBA picture is getting clear as free agency is coming to an end. A couple of teams stood out with their magnitude of signings. Notably, the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. Both of them made major changes to their rosters by adding new faces.

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The Bulls are looking to get back to winning ways and make it to the playoffs. In this pursuit, they made great signings such as DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball. On the other hand, the Lakers signed Russell Westbrook and many other veterans.

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But, now it seems like Chicago has come up big in the closing days of free agency because of their recent signings. Looking at their recent new faces, who really won the free agency this time around?

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READ MORE- What Does the Portland Trail Blazers’ Starting Lineup Look Like for the 2021-22 Season?

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Chicago Bulls Go Big

Chicago has been in rebuild mode since last season. Notably, their signing of the All-Star center, Nikola Vucevic, made matters clear. Since then, they added two more All-Star caliber players with DeRozan and Lonzo.

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And it looks like Chicago was not done just yet. Recently, they signed Alize Johnson, Stanley Johnson, and Matt Thomas as well. All these players are solid additions that fit their purpose really well. While all these players have only played minor roles, they play well into Chicago’s need for depth.

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Alize Johnson adds the necessary forward depth with the loss of Markannen this season. He averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds for Brooklyn this season. Stanley is yet to live up to his name as the 5th overall pick. However, his athleticism allows him to be a versatile defender. Matt, a three-point specialist, has had minor roles in Utah and Raptors.

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With their new signings, there is no doubt that Chicago Bulls is heading in the right direction. But, did the ‘Windy City’ win free agency this season, or do they have close rivals?

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Who Really Won Free Agency?

The Bulls have surely made big moves on their part. However, their one close rival in those terms would be the Lakers. Not only did they add major star power with Russell, but also reliable vets made their way in.

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Players such as Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard have fit into their new roles very well. Moreover, they have proved their worth in the league as reliable players. Yes, they may be an older team, but their skill level is just as high.

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With their own ‘Big 3’ now, LeBron and Co. are in a serious place to make a trip back to the finals. Looking at their new-looking rosters, arguments can be made for both teams winning free agency this season. But, only time will be the true determiner here.

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Anuj Talwalkar

4,539 Articles

Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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