Chicago Bulls: 3 free agent targets to replace Shaquille Harrison

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Stanley Johnson Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Chicago Bulls free agent targets to replace Shaquille Harrison: Stanley Johnson

The fortunes for the former Arizona Wildcats star and first round pick (eighth overall) of the Detroit Pistons in the 2015 NBA Draft, small forward Stanley Johnson, waned in the last few years. It was anticipated that Johnson was going to improve after an up and down rookie season where he did show a lot of flashes of promise.

Johnson nearly averaged his career best number of points per game, and he did post career highs in rebounds per game and assists, during his rookie campaign. That was also where he registered a lot of his career best shooting percentages and advanced metrics to date.

If the Bulls could find a way to give Johnson a path to development where he really gets back to the progress he was showing at times as a rookie a few years back, then it might be worth taking a flier out on him. He would definitely be a low risk signing that could still offer some level of utility in the Bulls rotation.

If nothing else, the Bulls do need to add more depth on the wing.

Johnson spent the 2019-20 season with the defending NBA Champion Toronto Raptors. He played in 25 games during the 2019-20 regular season (starting in none of them). Johnson averaged 2.4 points per game, 1.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks.

But there were a few potent playoff outings for Johnson in three games played with the Raptors this year. He shot 45.5 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, while averaging nearly five points per game in three games played during the 2020 playoff run with the Raptors.