Photo: Chicago Bulls/YouTube

The Chicago Bulls will fully guarantee Leonard Miller’s $2.41 million salary for the 2026-27 season, keeping the 22-year-old forward in place after a productive late-season stretch. Miller averaged 11.7 points on 55.5% shooting and 5.8 rebounds in 27 games for Chicago last season, including 12 starts.

The decision gives the Bulls another low-cost frontcourt piece as they continue to reshape the roster around younger players and more lineup flexibility. Chicago finished 31-51 and 12th in the Eastern Conference, then spent much of the offseason retooling the roster with an eye toward size, defense and upside.

Miller’s season with the Bulls was his best stretch of sustained NBA production so far. After beginning his career with Minnesota, he was at his most effective in Chicago, where he posted career highs in scoring volume, shooting efficiency and rebounding rate. In 27 games for the Bulls, he shot 55.5% from the field and 35.6% from three, while also producing 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.

That efficiency matters for a Bulls team that has already changed its front line. Chicago acquired Nic Claxton in a draft-night trade, used the No. 4 pick on Caleb Wilson and selected Dailyn Swain at No. 15. The Bulls also enter the season with Josh Giddey, Collin Sexton, Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams and Claxton as the clearest pieces in the rotation.

The guarantee also rewards a player who made the most of an expanded role. In his first 19 games with Minnesota last season, Miller averaged only 2.3 points in 5.0 minutes per game. Once he reached Chicago, his workload jumped to 23.1 minutes per game, and his scoring climbed to 11.7 points with 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 27 appearances.