3. Weird timing for waiving Walt Lemon Jr. and Shaquille Harrison impacts game two
The Chicago Bulls seemingly waived two point guards/combo guards that got a few starts last season and were on the first Summer League roster too early. Those two point guards the Bulls waived were Walt Lemon Jr. and Shaquille Harrison. They were key cogs to the dominant win over the Lakers to start off the weekend.
It was apparent that the perimeter defense for the Bulls took a big hit with the absence of Harrison. The all-around scoring also took a hit, as did the offensive creation, without Lemon Jr. in the rotation. The result of no Lemon Jr. and Harrison in the rotation was much more Justin Simon and Adam Mokoka and less small ball lineups.
White was also on the floor a whole lot more. The Bulls need to be careful not to give all too much playing time to the most important player on this Summer League roster. But it is intriguing to try and run different sets with Mokoka and Simon running more at the two and the three. Mulder also earned more playing time with his showing in the loss to the Cavs.
If nothing else, this lapse in perimeter and transition defense helps his case to get another NBA job. His lockdown defense in a combo guard role should be able to land him another position somewhere else. He’s a very situational, but valuable, free agent combo guard now.