Chicago Bulls invite Ukrainian centre Kyrylo Fesenko to the training camp – NBA News
The Chicago Bulls are keeping their hopes of signing another big man alive, and have invited Ukraine born centre Kyrylo Fesenko to training camp in a bid to sign him to a non-guaranteed contract. Sources close to the situation
have revealed that Fesenko will work out for the Bulls, and most probably be signed to a non guaranteed contract by the end of the week.
The Bulls are hard capped by the new league rules, according to which they cannot hand out any more veteran’s minimum contracts until the Nov 20th deadline. Hence, the Bulls are hoping that Fesenko will agree to waiting
till then to get a guaranteed contract, if he impresses the Bulls coaching staff in his workouts.
The Bulls signed Kirk Hinrich and Marco Belinelli in the offseason by using the exceptions reserved for non-tax paying teams. Using that privilege has now left the Bulls unable to offer him a guaranteed contract for the time being.
Nate Robinson is one recent Bulls signing that is currently on a non guaranteed contract because of the Bulls' predicament.
Fesenko started his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, and played four seasons for the team from 2007 to 2011. Although he played as a back-up centre, Fesenko never got much playing time and averaged 2 points and 2 rebound in his last
season for the Salt lake City franchise. He was a member of the Indiana Pacers this past season, but played in only 3 games for them. His inability to play games for the Pacers was credited to a knee injury that he sustained in 2011 while playing for his home
country, Ukraine.
Although Fesenko has been unable to make any impact in the NBA and failed to develop his offensive game over the years, his 7 foot 1 inch frame and good defensive presence still make him a good back-up in any team.
With the defensive mind of Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, Fesenko could turn out to be a valuable signing for the Bulls and make their front court even stronger on the defensive end. Playing for Thibodeau could also be the break
Fesenko needs to kick start his career in the league.
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