Chicago Bulls: 3 players who lose most from NBA hiatus

2. Shaquille Harrison, Combo Guard

While LaVine was having another big breakthrough season for the Chicago Bulls, one player that was just starting to show what he could do in a bigger role was the 6-foot-4 combo guard Shaquille Harrison. The 26-year-old Kansas City, MO, native was starting to rise to the occasion and play even better than he did down the stretch last year.

In 43 games played this season, Harrison averaged 4.9 points per game, 2.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.8 steals, while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. Harrison was not getting to the charity stripe as much this season as he did last year, but he was hitting his free-throw attempts at a higher clip (78 percent).

Where the value of Harrison really stands out is with his smart decision making, ability to run in transition, and perimeter defense. Harrison isn’t as good of a on-ball defender as fellow Bulls 6-foot-4 point guard Kris Dunn, but he is capable of replacing some of his production. What Harrison offers that is more valuable than having Dunn on the floor is with his outside shooting ability.

Harrison definitely isn’t the type of guard that can consistently create his own shot, but he is steadily improving his efficiency from range in each of the last three years. Harrison went from shooting 23.1, to 27.0, to 38.1 percent from downtown in the three seasons he’s played in the NBA. Cutting that progression short isn’t great for Harrison in his third year in the NBA.