Chicago Bulls: 3 team MVP’s from the 2019-20 season so far

3. Daniel Gafford, Center

If the Chicago Bulls were to pick between who is the more valuable rookie from their 2019 draft class at this point in time, the honors would have to go to the former North Carolina Tar Heels point guard Coby White. Coming out of the All-Star Break, White was scorching in the scoring department. But he was up and down to say the least before that point.

However, considering the entire body of work from their rookie season, the honors of the best rookie from the Bulls 2019 draft class has to go to the former Arkansas Razorbacks big man Daniel Gafford. His entire body of work this season is more efficient and reliable than what White gave the Bulls.

In 43 games played this season, Gafford averaged 5.1 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 70.1 percent from the field and 53.3 percent from the charity stripe. Gafford also has 1.8 win shares on the season, a -1.2 box plus/minus rating, and a solid offensive rating of 124.

We don’t really know how much further Gafford has to go before he hits his true ceiling in the NBA. His limited offensive arsenal, namely his short shooting range, makes the fit for Gafford in the modern NBA not all that versatile. But he can still develop his positioning and effectiveness in transition. Hopefully the Bulls get better all-around in transition in the near future if head coach Jim Boylen is ousted this coming offseason.