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Chicago Bulls: Walter Lemon Jr. signing brings backcourt depth

By Andrew Miller

WHITE PLAINS, NY - MARCH 27: Walter-Lemon Jr. #25 of the Windy City Bulls during an NBA G-League playoff game v Westchester Knicks on March 27, 2019 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, 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 Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
WHITE PLAINS, NY - MARCH 27: Walter-Lemon Jr. #25 of the Windy City Bulls during an NBA G-League playoff game v Westchester Knicks on March 27, 2019 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, 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 Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Bringing up guard Walter Lemon Jr. from the G-League Windy City Bulls could have an impact on the Chicago Bulls the rest of the way.

In whatever fashion the Chicago Bulls can get it at the moment, depth and potent players are a very valuable factor for the rest of the regular season. At this point of the regular season, the Chicago Bulls will have a core rotation chalked full of players that will usually find themselves playing in the G-League.

However, the Chicago Bulls already made the moves to call up the likes of young shooting guards Brandon Sampson and Antonio Blakeney. Not only did Sampson and Blakeney already get called up with the Bulls from the G-League affiliate Windy City Bulls, but they are both getting a good amount of playing time.

Now, the Bulls made the move to bring in yet another young guard to the rotation to try and find some answers to the current struggles down the stretch. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Chicago Bulls reached a deal with G-League guard Walter Lemon Jr. to sign him for the remainder of the regular season.

Before signing with the Bulls, Lemon Jr. played with the G-League affiliate Windy City and the Maine Red Claws. He played in 33 games with Windy City and 10 games with Maine. Lemon Jr. is averaging an impressive 20.9 points per game, 8.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game during his time in the G-League this season.

Thus far this season, Lemon Jr. was posting a decent player efficiency rating above 19.0. He can also help the Chicago Bulls backcourt thrive on the defensive end of the floor since he posted 1.9 defensive win shares in the G-League.

Ultimately, this signing for the Bulls proves one thing and gives fans the opportunity to form two more thoughts and ideas. The first thing this proves is that this is officially the time that the front office and coaching staff is throwing in the towel and likely tanking for a better spot in the upcoming lottery. The other two things that this can prove is a valuable addition to the Bulls backcourt for the future and how the rest of the roster can form together for the off-season.

In all likelihood, Lemon Jr. won’t stick with the Bulls in the NBA beyond the final games of the regular season. However, he could prove a point similar to what current backup point guard Ryan Arcidiacono did this season.

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There are some appealing traits that Lemon Jr. brings to the table as a potent point guard. With a lengthy wingspan and standing at 6-foot-3, Lemon Jr. brings solid size to the table and he is able to command the floor. Lemon Jr. also had rapid improvement during his four-year career in college at Bradley, averaging 18.0 points per game and 3.9 assists in his senior campaign.

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