Jevon Carter is set to remain with the Chicago Bulls for a third straight season after electing to exercise his $6.8 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign, as reported by Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. This decision follows a difficult year for Carter, who struggled to establish his place in the Bulls’ rotation and appeared in a career-low 36 games during the most recent season.
Throughout the 2024-25 season, Carter averaged only 4.3 points and 1.1 assists per game, shooting 37.7 percent from the field while logging just 8.9 minutes each night. Despite these limited numbers, Carter’s choice to stay with Chicago has brought some clarity to the team’s plans for their guard rotation going forward.
Background on Carter’s Tenure and Performance Decline
Carter’s decision to remain with the Bulls is not unexpected given the circumstances. The 29-year-old guard’s diminished output made it unlikely that he would secure a contract anywhere near the $6.8 million figure if he had entered free agency. Most likely, he would have had to settle for a veteran minimum deal, especially in a market where few teams have the financial capacity to offer large contracts.
Originally, Carter signed a three-year contract worth $19.5 million after a strong season with the Milwaukee Bucks. He contributed significantly in the 2022-23 season, appearing in 81 games and shooting an efficient 42.1 percent from three-point range as a valuable two-way reserve guard. Given this performance, the Bulls viewed re-signing Carter as a feasible way to bolster their depth alongside their All-Star core.
In his first full season with Chicago, Carter played in 72 games but struggled to adapt to the team’s system. His three-point shooting dropped to 32.9 percent, and coach Billy Donovan appeared challenged to identify a consistent role for him. With a surplus of guards on the roster, the Bulls found it difficult to accommodate mistakes, further limiting Carter’s opportunities.
These struggles culminated in Carter’s worst professional season to date in 2024-25. Consequently, it seemed logical that Carter would choose to exercise his player option rather than test the uncertain free agency market.
Prospects for Carter’s Role in the Upcoming Season
The likelihood of Carter receiving a significantly expanded role next season appears slim. The Bulls currently possess a deep backcourt, and they are expected to add a young guard through the upcoming draft who will require minutes to develop. Without a major injury to established players, Carter’s playing time will probably remain limited, despite his compatibility with Chicago’s preferred style of play.
That said, Carter is widely regarded as a positive presence in the locker room and a veteran leader. Having a hardworking, scrappy defender with a history of above-average shooting ability as a bench option is not a disadvantage for Chicago’s rotation.
Impact on Bulls’ Roster Management and Future Plans
From a roster construction standpoint, Carter declining his option would not have freed up substantial salary cap space for the Bulls. The organization is already positioned to operate as an over-the-cap team, relying mainly on mid-level exceptions during free agency. By retaining Carter’s contract, Chicago maintains another affordable expiring deal, which could potentially be included as part of a trade package later this summer or at the trade deadline.
“Being told Bulls guard Jevon Carter is exercising his $6.8 million player option for the 2025-26 season.” —Jake Fischer, Reporter
“For what it’s worth, all signs point toward Carter being an excellent locker room presence and veteran voice. There are also far worse options to have on the back of the bench than a hard-working scrappy defender with an above-average jumper over his career.” —Anonymous Source