3) Chicago Bulls free agent targets to replace Denzel Valentine: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Former Brooklyn Nets 6-foot-6 and and 215 pound small forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has started floating around the NBA since his rookie deal ran up last year. Hollis-Jefferson signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Raptors last offseason, and his they don’t resign him this time around, then he should be someone that the Bulls go after.
Last offseason could’ve been a good time for the Bulls to pursue Hollis-Jefferson in the free agent market, but it’s hard to doubt that the Raptors were a better landing spot. He has a shot to contend for a title with the Raptors again, as they’re battling the three-seed Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs, with the series tied as of Sep. 7.
But in a pretty new found role with the Raptors this season, Hollis-Jefferson played in 60 regular season games (starting in six of them). He averaged 7.0 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks. Hollis-Jefferson shot 47.1 percent from the field, a dismal 13.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 73.4 percent from the free-throw line.
We should know by now that Hollis-Jefferson isn’t a good shooter from downtown, but he excels a number of other areas in his game. He’s a really solid rebounder (posted a career-best offensive rebounding rate of 10.6 percent this season), a reliable on and off-ball defender, and efficient with the ball in his hand in settled offense and transition.
If Hollis-Jefferson isn’t quickly re-signed to land back with the Raptors in this cycle of free agency, then the Bulls should be after him.