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Chicago Bulls Profile: Tony Snell

By Jeremy Karll

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The Chicago Bulls will start their 2015-16 preseason slate in just a couple of weeks, so now is the time to learn more about who is on the team.

In the 2013 NBA Draft, the Bulls drafted Tony Snell 20th overall out of New Mexico. He hasn’t reached his full potential yet, but Chicago is hoping that year three will be his breakout season with an expanded role. Tony Snell is the next Chicago Bulls profile.

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NBA Career: 149 GP, 17.7 MPG, 5.2 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.9 APG, 40.7 FG%, 34.7 3P%

When the Bulls drafted Snell, they were hoping he could be a tough defender on the wing and bring an outside shot. While at New Mexico, he was never a big defensive force, averaging less than a steal and a block per game. Snell does have long arms though and is also quick, which gives him a lot of potential on that side of the ball.

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He had a nice outside shot at New Mexico — 39 percent from three — but the longer three-point line hasn’t been his friend thus far. Snell struggled from three during his rookie season, only shooting 32 percent, but showed a lot of improvement last year when he improved to 37.1 percent from behind the arc. He was able to shoot 19 more threes during his second season and it helped, as he made 16 more three-pointers than his rookie season.

Snell doesn’t usually stuff the stat sheet. He has only been able to average two rebounds per game and less than an assist per game in his career. The Bulls don’t need him to be one of the best rebounding or passing guards in the league, but he has good size and quickness, so they expects more from him.

At 6’7″, Snell should be able to grab 3-4 rebounds per game, considering he was playing nearly 20 minutes per game last season (19.6 minutes per game). Snell was only able to average 4.1 rebounds per 36 minutes, according to Basketball-Reference.

The Bulls were hoping that Tony Snell could develop into a rotational player that could play a key role in Chicago’s success. He hasn’t been terrible, but hasn’t developed as fast as the Bulls would have liked. His role should be expanded this year, as he keeps crawling up the depth chart and he should be considered the top option off the bench for the Bulls.

However, if his outside shot doesn’t improve, then this may be his last season in Chicago. He has two years left on his contract, but don’t be surprised if he is involved in trade talks if he doesn’t show improvement.

2014-15 Season: 72 GP, 22 GS, 6.0 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 42.9 FG%, 37.1 3P%, 80.0 FT%

The Chicago Bulls have been known as one of the most injury-prone teams the past couple of seasons, yet Tony Snell was still able to play in 72 games last season, making 22 starts along the way. He showed improvement from his rookie season, but there still is a lot more room for improvement.

Tony Snell only saw 19.6 minutes per game because Jimmy Butler once again led the league in minutes per game. 19.6 minutes per game seems like a good amount for a role player, but he was only getting about 13.9 minutes per game when he came off the bench. However, during his 22 starts he saw 32.7 minutes per game.

As a starter, Snell only shot 38.8 percent from the field compared to 46.8 percent when coming off the bench. When more was asked from him he wasn’t able to deliver. Snell didn’t do anything exceptionally well last season, but the Bulls had no one else to turn to, so they kept giving Snell minutes. He was a non-factor in most games and many times, he was easily forgotten about when on the court.

Snell has the potential to be a solid NBA player, but it hasn’t shown up yet. His jump shot has yet to develop and he doesn’t do anything else above average. He isn’t a liability when on the court, but he doesn’t bring a lot to the team. Part of that could have been because of Tom Thibodeau. Snell looked scared at times, like he knew if he made a bad play, he would be pulled right away. The slow development of Snell is not all of Thibodeau’s fault, but a little has to be blamed on Thibodeau’s strictness and Snell having a short leash.

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Expectations For 2015-16

Tony Snell is set to be the main wing option off the bench this year with Doug McDermott and E’Twaun Moore, the only other players on the bench that could give the Bulls decent minutes at the small forward and shooting guard position.

I don’t expect Butler to lead the league in minutes per game again, giving Tony Snell a bigger role. He should get around 25 minutes per game this season, and still should make spot starts for Butler and Mike Dunleavy, unless McDermott shows a lot of improvement.

A higher-paced offense should help Snell’s offensive game, as he can run the floor well and does a good job finishing around the rim. There have been many times throughout his two years with the Bulls that Snell got to the rim and had a big dunk. That could happen a lot more if the Bulls play in transition more often.

Tony Snell’s role has expanded a little more every year and this should be the year that he gets the most consistent minutes to show what he can do. He should be a big part of Fred Hoiberg’s gameplan this season. The real question is whether his game will take the next step this year.

I expect Snell’s shot to have improve once again and for him to be more of a factor all-around. Another Las Vegas Summer League appearance would have helped his game continue to grow, but he was ineligible. It will be interesting to see if having the summer off helped Snell.

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    • What To Watch For

    Tony Snell has been a little disappointing since the Bulls drafted him and as a result, a lot of people think this is his make or break year for the Bulls. He still has a year after this one on his rookie contract, but if he doesn’t show major improvement, I doubt the Bulls give him an extension. I think he could be traded, especially if Doug McDermott proves himself this season.

    Snell isn’t ever going to be a starter in the NBA, but he has the potential to be a solid rotational player off the bench for the Bulls. He needs to add another element to his game however. His jump shot has potential, but it will never be good enough for him to be considered a three-point specialist. He has the height and wingspan to be a good rebounder and defender.

    Snell needs to play the passing lanes more and use his long arms to force steals. He is quick enough to guard both the shooting guard and small forward position which helps his case to see more minutes. Snell can be a poor man’s Jimmy Butler if he reaches his full potential. However, I think this is his last season to show that he is worth keeping around or else I think the Bulls will look to trade him. He can be a two-way player but has yet to make an impact on the game every night.

    Also, the addition of Jordan Crawford is an interesting move for the Bulls. He is a veteran that is a serviceable bench player who can score in bunches. This should just be more motivation for Snell because Crawford could take some minutes away from him if he heats up.

    Next: Fred Hoiberg's Dilemma: Pau Gasol or Joakim Noah?

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