As the free agency signing period approaches, the Chicago Bulls have choices to make if they have any intentions of taking the franchise to the next level.
D’Angelo Russell had a breakout season with the Brooklyn Nets. However, he will be a restricted free agent and that brings up the question, would he be a good fit in a Chicago Bulls jersey? Bigger question is what should the Bulls do this summer, trade Kris Dunn or Lauri Markkanen?
Dunn did not take any steps forward in being the Bulls point guard and Dunn may not be the answer. Enter D’Angelo Russell, who made the all-star team with Brooklyn this season and got some playoff experience, albeit a first round exit.
If the Bulls can find a way to acquire Russell in whatever way, that could mean the end of Dunn with the Bulls. Could a Russell acquisition mean a faster route to the playoffs even if it doesn’t happen next season?
Bobby Friedman of HoopsHabit proposes a trade scenario where the Bulls would get Ben Simmons in exchange for Dunn and Markkanen and a 2019 No. 7 overall pick. Friedman says it makes sense that Markkanen and Simmons would be traded for each other considering that both have moments when they struggle with confidence and that neither have established a defensive reputation.
It would not be a surprise if both Simmons and Markkanen have breakout seasons considering both of them can play the inside and outside game.
James Gilmore, of HoopsHabit talks about a few free agents the Bulls should target this summer. Gilmore believes that Danny Green would help with three-point shooting, considering it has become a big part of the game today. Furthermore, the Bulls were 30th in the NBA in making 3-point shots this past season.
Green has played in many playoff games as he is with the Toronto Raptors in the NBA finals against the Golden State Warriors. The Bulls are not really close to playoff contention, they would have to be closer to playoff contention to justify Green. On the other hand, Green would help in the 3-point game as he shot over 45 percent from downtown in the regular season for Toronto.
Next on the list is Patrick Beverley, a Chicago native, who played for the L.A. Clippers this past season and the best word to describe Beverley is suffocating, especially on the defense. He took on streetball player Kevin Durant during the playoffs considering he is just over 6-foot but plays defense with such intensity.
The Bulls have lacked a defensive player with the tenacity Beverley has for the last few seasons and scoring is a plus for a player who averaged over 7 points a game this season.
Rodney Hood is next on Gilmore’s list. Yes, he is not a star player, but his ability to defend stars should be attractive for the Bulls interests and needs. Hood plays in the 2017-2018 NBA finals with LeBron James, before he took his talents to southern California.
RODNEY HOOD FOR THE WIN IN 4OT! #PhantomCam #RipCity #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0KGmb6GIDr
— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2019
If the Bulls are going to take the next step in contending, they must be aggressive in free agency but the culture surrounding the team has not sent the message that a Danny Green should play in Chicago. Making Chicago a place where free agents want to sign is the biggest challenge facing the Bulls because the Bulls aren’t the franchise of Jordan.