Chicago Bulls: 3 realistic first-day free agent signings

Joe Harris, Chicago Bulls Mandatory Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Joe Harris, Chicago Bulls Mandatory Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
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Joe Harris Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Harris Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

2) Realistic first-day Chicago Bulls free agent signings: Joe Harris

Possibly the perfect free agent target for the Bulls to go after in the early stages of this cycle of free agency, all things considered, is the Brooklyn Nets sharpshooting 6-foot-6 and 220 pound shooting guard/small forward Joe Harris. There’s not much better that Karnisovas and Eversley can do for the Bulls in this cycle of free agency than knocking out roughly three birds with one stone, which could happen if they sign Harris.

If the Bulls are losing players that took up minutes on the wing at times last season, or at least defended opposing threes (i.e. Dunn and Harrison), then signing Harris out of free agency would be the perfect way to fill that void. Harris also fills other positional and rotational needs for the Bulls, like adding more consistent outside shooting and capable veteran wings.

The Bulls do need a lot of help on the wing, beyond the likes of veteran small forward Otto Porter Jr., and third-year former Boise State Broncos small forward Chandler Hutchison. In each of the last two seasons in the Windy City, OPJ and Hutch remained anything but healthy and reliable in this rotation.

Meanwhile, Harris played in 69 games during the shortened 2019-20 regular season with the Nets (all of which he started in). And he averaged a career-best 14.5 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.2 blocks. Where Harris really shined for the Nets last season was with his shooting. He shot a stellar 48.6 percent from the field, 42.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 71.9 percent from the free-throw line.