Who won’t be back next season No. 3: Javonte Green
Of the five players that Karnisovas and the Bulls hauled in at the trade deadline back on March 25, the one who seems like he’s the least likely to return for next season is the 6-foot-4 and 205 pound former Radford product Green. Only having played in 75 regular season games in his NBA career to date, the former undrafted free agent signing is still on a quest to prove his value around the league.
The good news for Green is that he’ll have a real opportunity out of the gates in a Bulls uniform to make an impact in the second or third unit on both ends of the floor as a two-guard. He will already get more playing and practice time with top units with star shooting guard Zach LaVine and veteran shooting guard Garrett Temple dealing with various injury issues.
Green is an underrated defender and an improving shooter of late. He’ll just have to prove his value over the long haul that he can fit in as a capable and consistent three-and-D wing/two-guard in this rotation. He’s certainly got the resume so far, and the quickness, to contend with most bench guards on the perimeter.
In his first two games played with the Bulls since March 27, Green registered two points, six rebounds, one assist, two steals, and two blocks. And he’s shot 20 percent from the field, missed on one attempt from beyond the arc, and doesn’t have any attempts from the charity stripe.
Green already showed what he can do defensively in his two games played since landing with the Bulls last week. Show some level of promise and consistency on the offensive end of the floor, and he might be back next season. But he’s truly got an uphill battle ahead with the Bulls to make the 15-man roster again beyond the offseason.