Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

The Chicago Bulls should make a run at D’Angelo Russell

By Luke Askew

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

D’Angelo Russell is one of the most underrated point guards on the market this summer. Should the Chicago Bulls go for him?

It’s hard to imagine the Brooklyn Nets giving up on D’Angelo Russell after his amazing 2018-19 campaign, but it’s starting to look like a possibility. The Chicago Bulls would be wise to extend an offer in Russell’s direction just in case the Nets are ready to leave Russell in the past.

After two disappointing seasons in Los Angeles, the Lakers seemingly grew impatient with Russell’s development. Russell has now spent two seasons in Brooklyn as the primary option in an offense that has given him the keys, and it’s safe to say he’s thriving.

This past season, D-Lo played in 81 games, averaged 21.1 points and 7.0 assists, got his first All-Star nod and led a lowly Brooklyn Nets team to the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Russell would likely be running away with the Most Improved Player award for the 2018-19 season if Pascal Siakam hadn’t suddenly decided to be the second-best player on a championship-caliber team. Nonetheless, Russell’s improvement has been eye-opening.

This summer, Russell is set to be a restricted free agent. This means that the Nets are basically in control. They can match whatever offer Russell receives. Will they do that, though?

It’s impossible to answer that question at this point. It will largely depend on who else the Nets acquire in free agency. If they sign a superstar point guard like Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker, it’s tough to imagine them also giving D-Lo a hefty chunk of money to share the backcourt with one of those guys.

For that reason, I’m hoping the Nets get one of the aforementioned superstar point guards. That would open the door for the Bulls to jump in and make a move.

D-Lo has great size (6’5″ with a 6’10” wingspan), really good vision and the ability to make tough shots. He’s also breathtaking in the most important play in the NBA: the pick-and-roll. Can you imagine a D’Angelo Russell/Lauri Markkanen or D’Angelo Russell/Wendell Carter Jr. pick-and-roll for the next few years? That would be devastating for opponents.

Russell isn’t an elite defender yet, but his length provides a lot of encouragement for his future on that end of the court. He has as much defensive upside as any potentially available point guard not named Lonzo Ball.

With free agency coming after the draft, it would be idiotic to bank on a free agency long shot like Russell to solve the Bulls’ point guard problems. But if Darius Garland and Coby White are both off the board at No. 7, Chicago could take the best available wing and then make an offer for Russell.

It’s important to remember that despite having already played four seasons in the league, Russell is still only 23 years old. He has a few years before he even enters his prime, and he’s already one of the best point guards in the NBA.

Next. Ranking the 5 best Bulls of the decade. dark

It’s unlikely that Chicago will find a way to get D’Angelo Russell in a Bulls uniform, but they’d be foolish to let their slim chances of signing him deter them from extending an offer.