Chicago Bulls: Projecting the preseason starting five
Chicago Bulls small forward
3. 24. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Age: 27. Otto Porter Jr.. Small Forward. player
Definitely one of the most underrated storylines for this season, and even the preseason, will be the health and overall consistency of the veteran small forward Otto Porter Jr. It is a massive understatement that OPJ has missed a lot of games for the Bulls since landing in the Windy City at the trade deadline during the 2018-19 season from the Washington Wizards.
OPJ has played in just 29 games in total since first landing in Chicago more than 18 months ago. And while he was efficient throughout most of those 29 games with the Bulls, this team is going to need more out of him on the wing to be successful as an entire starting five this season. Playing in one or two dozen games this season won’t cut it for the Bulls and OPJ at small forward.
The fact that the Bulls are paying OPJ so much just adds more fuel to the flame. The final year of his current contract, worth around $29 million, is by far the biggest salary on their current cap sheet. He is a large reason why Karnisovas was so cap strapped during the offseason in trying to build up this roster.
Moreover, during the shortened 2019-20 regular season, OPJ played in 14 games (nine of which he started in). And he averaged 11.9 points per game, 3.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks. OPJ shot 44.3 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 70.4 percent from the free-throw line.
OPJ is that solid three-and-D wing that can help be the glue for this starting five. Health is clearly the key for him to remain a constant this season.