Bulls release veteran guard Dragic

The Bulls released veteran guard Goran Dragic on Tuesday. He was signed last summer to help fill in for Lonzo Ball, who hasn't played at all this season due to a knee injury.

While playing in the European championships this summer, Dragic told reporters he expected to get 20 minutes off the bench for the Bulls, but it didn't work out.

Dragic got off to a decent start, shooting 52.6% from 3-point range in the first 11 games. He also had four straight double-digit scoring games in November. His contributions have dwindled since January and he's currently rehabbing a knee injury.

The timing of the release made sense in one aspect. Anyone released before March 1 is eligible to participate in the playoffs with a different team. But why the Bulls didn't release Dragic instead of center Tony Bradley when they needed a roster spot for Patrick Beverley is a mystery.

This does open up a roster spot if the Bulls want to add somebody for the stretch run. There's no deadline for when a player can sign with a new tam and be eligible for the playoffs, they just have to leave their old team by March 1.

Twitter: @McGrawDHSports