Zach Collins is staying in The Windy City after an injury-riddled 2025-26 campaign.
The first night of free agency was a quiet one for the Chicago Bulls. Bryson Graham has yet to add any new pieces to the roster, but he did opt to bring back a veteran big man who spent parts of the past two seasons with the team.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Bulls are signing center Zach Collins to a two-year contract extension worth $17 million. Collins was an unrestricted free agent, but because the deal was finalized before the start of the new league year on July 1, the contract counts as an extension of his prior agreement instead of a new contract.
This means that Chicago still has its Room Mid-Level Exception available to sign a free agent at approximately $9.4 million. However, Collins' estimated $8.3 million salary will count against the Bulls' cap this season, leaving Graham with roughly $22.6 million in cap space to work with.
Per Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson, the second year of Collins' contract is a team option.
The largest benefit to Collins signing the deal as an extension, rather than a free agent contract, is that the 28-year-old center is immediately eligible to be traded. Otherwise, Chicago would not have been able to deal Collins until Dec. 15.
Dec 26, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Zach Collins (12) defends Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona (30) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesAlthough Collins has been with the team since the 2025 trade deadline, he has played sparingly with the Bulls. The veteran big man made 28 appearances in Chicago after being traded from the Spurs, then missed the start of the 2026 season due to a fracture in his left wrist. He came off the bench for 10 games in December before the Bulls shut him down with a season-ending toe injury on his right foot.
In 18.4 minutes per game last year, Collins averaged 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 57.8% from the floor and 42.9% from deep.
The Bulls have only gotten a glimpse of how Collins can impact their team since acquiring him nearly 17 months ago. San Antonio traded Collins — and Tre Jones — to Chicago in the deal that sent Zach LaVine to Sacramento. Even though Collins has been a net positive when he's been on the floor, the Bulls have rarely had him healthy and available.
Chicago went 6-4 when Collins played in 2025-26, including a stretch of five consecutive wins. He was also a part of the Bulls' hot finish to the 2024-25 season, in which the team went 17-11 in games that he played in.
Collins' extension is a bet that he can return to full health and the player he showed he can be. The Bulls either got a key reserve center at below-market value, or they can trade him to a contending team for future draft capital once he proves his worth.
