3) Chicago Bulls value contracts in 20-21
Garrett Temple, Shooting Guard
Definitely the hottest role player for the Bulls of late is the former Brooklyn Nets veteran 34-year-old 6-foot-5 and 195 pound shooting guard Garrett Temple. As a role player that usually comes off the bench for Donovan and the Bulls, Temple actually got the start in their win over the Houston Rockets on the night of Jan. 18.
Temple got the start in the absence of rookie forward Patrick Williams in that aforementioned five-point home win over the Rockets to round out the holiday weekend.
It looked like a decent free agent signing at the time when Karnisovas and Eversley snagged Temple on a one-year contract worth around $5 million. But the way that Temple has contributed as a whole to this Bulls rotation thus far, especially in the last few games, makes him look like one of the biggest hidden gems from last offseason’s free agent cycle altogether.
In 13 games played for the Bulls so far this season (two of which he’s started in), Temple is averaging just shy of 27 minutes on the floor per game. The last three seasons combined really saw an uptick in the level of playing time that Temple gets per game, hovering around that mark he’s getting this year.
Moreover, Temple has averaged 9.9 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.2 blocks. And he’s shot a very efficient 48.9 percent from the field, 43.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line.
The defensive efficiency of Temple thus far is a bit up and down, but his offensive rating is currently sitting at a career best 118. Iron out the consistency issues with one-on-one perimeter defending and Temple could turn into one of the better veteran role players at his position in the Eastern Conference.