3) Chicago Bulls that were worst off with Boylen: Daniel Gafford
We should give a certain degree of props to the GarPax regime for finding the gem in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft that they did with former Arkansas Razorbacks rim-running center Daniel Gafford. Throughout most of his rookie campaign, Gafford was one of the most efficient and consistent big men in the rotation.
But the problem that he faced throughout most of his rookie season was a lack of playing time and just a weird role coming off the bench. It’s understandable to see how Gafford’s confidence might be shaken since there were games where he got less minutes than the likes of big men Luke Kornet and Cristiano Felicio.
Kornet was understandable as to why he got more playing time than Gafford at the outset of the 2019-20 regular season, but poor play should’ve led to the rookie getting more minutes. Felicio definitely shouldn’t be getting more playing time than either Gafford or Kornet.
Gafford played in 43 games during the shortened 2019-20 regular season with the Bulls (seven of which he started in). He averaged 13.0 points per 36 minutes, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 3.3 blocks. But he also averaged a whopping 5.8 personal fouls per 36 minutes.
All too often were the Bulls big men left to cover up for overly aggressive perimeter and transition defense and forced to foul. That was largely the case with Gafford in his rookie campaign.