The Chicago Bulls are looking for help in the frontcourt in free agency, especially in the rim protection department because of Nikola Vucevic's shortcomings in that area. Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer links the Bulls to two young big men on the market: Isaiah Hartenstein and Mo Bamba.

Chicago has the non-taxpayer mid-level exception at its disposal, which is worth just over $10 million for 2022-23. However, Fischer reports the Bulls are “expected to preserve room and not offer the full $10.1 million.”

It's unclear if the “preserve room” part means Chicago wants to use the mid-level on multiple players or if it just doesn't want to use the full mid-level because of luxury tax concerns. The Bulls are set to give Zach LaVine a max contract worth around $212 million, so doing that and using the full mid-level while filling out the rest of the roster would get them in luxury tax range. The organization is notoriously averse to paying the tax, but that should really not be a consideration here after the team finally returned to the playoffs last season.

When it comes to these two targets, Hartenstein could be available as an unrestricted free agent because the Los Angeles Clippers can't offer him much. The Clippers are set to use the taxpayer mid-level exception of over $6 million on John Wall, leaving little for the big man because of cap rules. However, Fischer notes Hartenstein could potentially return to LA for cheap and then be rewarded next offseason when he can get a much bigger deal.

Like Hartenstein, Bamba is coming off the best season of his career, though he's set to be a restricted free agent unless he doesn't get a qualifying offer. While the Orlando Magic's selection of Paolo Banchero at No. 1 in the 2022 NBA Draft adds another frontcourt body to a logjam, Fischer says there's “motivation on both sides for Bamba and the Magic to agree to terms on a new deal.”

Right now, it's unclear just what kind of contract would be required for the Bulls to secure the services of either of these players. If it takes the full mid-level, would Chicago be willing to go there? This reporting suggests no.