Chicago Bulls: COVID-19 absences offer opportunity for Devon Dotson

With four Chicago Bulls players out due to Chandler Hutchison’s positive COVID-19 test, the team will have to look to rookie Devon Dotson for minutes.

Thursday’s news that Chandler Hutchison had tested positive for the coronavirus brought any hopes of the then 2-3 Chicago Bulls continuing their recent success to a screeching halt.

Hutchinson has only played 13 minutes per game for the Bulls this season, but due to contract tracing, starting big Lauri Markkanen and guards Tomas Satoransky and Ryan Arcidiacono were also unable to play.

The losses of Satoransky and Arcidiacono have decimated the Bulls’ backcourt rotation, making room for undrafted rookie Devon Dotson to make his debut last night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Newly hired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas brought Dotson aboard as their headlining undrafted free agent signing following the conclusion of NBA Draft night two months back.

The rookie had a solid first performance, scoring four points on 2-4 shooting in a small sample size of 10 minutes.

Dotson was signed by the Bulls after going undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft. Currently on a two-way contract, last night was Dotson’s first appearance in a Bulls uniform.

The former Kansas guard was an explosive scorer during his time as a Jayhawk, using his speed to slash to basket for points at the rim and to create space on the perimeter. His sophomore season, Dotson lead the 2019-2020 team with 18.1 points per game and earned a coveted spot on the Consensus All-American 2nd Team.

Simply put: Dotson is the type of talent you don’t expect to get with an undrafted player. His body of work at Kansas speaks for itself, as does his highlight reel.

https://twitter.com/JefeIsland/status/1325073590388191232

After last night’s 126-96 blowout loss to the Bucks, the suddenly shorthanded Bulls are in a very tough situation sitting at 2-4. Looking ahead at a matchup with Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks tomorrow night, their going to need some help from reserves like Dotson if they want to take home a win.

Likely without Satoransky and Arcidiacono again, Dotson looks to get another opportunity to impress when the Bulls take on the Mavericks at the United Center.