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Chicago Bulls: Otto Porter Jr. complements Zach LaVine nicely

By Andrew Miller

BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 8: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on February 8, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 8: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on February 8, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The management for the Chicago Bulls might’ve stumbled upon a nice little combination within the starting five between Zach LaVine and Otto Porter Jr.

The Chicago Bulls seemingly found themselves a nice one-two punch in the back court and on the wing at the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline. What the Chicago Bulls were able to haul in at the deadline that looks like a great move for building up for the future was small forward Otto Porter Jr. from the Washington Wizards. Things have worked out well so far between the Bulls and Porter Jr.

To acquire Porter Jr. from the Wiz, the Chicago Bulls had to ship out the young forward combination of Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker.

Most fans of the Chicago Bulls didn’t seem too sorry to see Portis or Parker leave the Windy City. That was largely because the return this team got for those two forwards was really solid. What Porter Jr. brings for the Bulls pretty much voids the large price tag his contract comes with.

So many NBA teams are searching for an impactful wing like Porter Jr. that carries an ideal frame and length with a reliable outside shooting ability and two-way aptitude. Porter Jr. isn’t necessarily a rare talent at the wing spot, but he is the prototypical small forward for a building team like the Bulls to bring into the mix to be a pivotal part of the starting five.

Another factor that Porter Jr. brings for the Chicago Bulls starting five is a very nice complement that was figured to be slotted alongside shooting guard Zach LaVine. Roughly half of the assists that LaVine managed in the 112-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 11 went to Porter Jr. And, of those assists that went to Porter Jr., a good portion winded up as corner threes.

In his three games in a Chicago Bulls uniform since leaving the nation’s capital, Porter Jr. is shooting 57 percent from three-point range. It’s very easy for LaVine to use his quick penetrating ability to drive the lane and then kick it out to an open Porter Jr. for a clean look beyond the arc.

The way that LaVine is commanding the floor of late for the Bulls too, it will be easy for this offense to run efficiently with how evenly the floor will be spaced. Between Porter Jr. and power forward Lauri Markkanen remaining efficient from three-point range, this could actually be a pretty good looking offense at times for the Bulls through the remainder of the 2018-19 regular season.

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If the defense picks up for the Bulls too with more capable two-way players in the mix like Porter Jr, there could be more possessions that him and LaVine are given. More offensive possessions means more opportunities to drive the lane for LaVine and space the floor for Porter Jr. But, even LaVine shot well from three-point range in the loss to the Bucks by hitting four of his six attempts.

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