A nice win for first-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls over the Boston Celtics in front of a national television audience on the night of May 7 saw this team firmly get headed back in the right direction. The Bulls have now won two games in a row, after snapping their four-game losing skid back on May 6 in a triumph over the Charlotte Hornets. But this recent turnaround hasn’t completely stopped all of the Bulls rumors coming down heading into the offseason.
When the Bulls faced the Celtics in front of a national television audience on ESPN on May 7, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski discussed what the top Bulls free agent targets could be this offseason to fill their need at the point guard position. A report confirmed by Bleacher Report on the night of May 7 had Woj saying that those two top point guard targets could be the Los Angeles Lakers scoring guard Dennis Schroder and New Orleans Pelicans two-way floor general Lonzo Ball.
Bulls rumors surrounding Lonzo Ball and Dennis Schroder for the offseason
The Bulls do have a developing need at the point guard position, if the front office doesn’t feel like second-year former North Carolina Tar Heel Coby White or combo guard Tomas Satoransky is the answer over the long haul. And the writing is on the wall that the Bulls won’t be turning to either of them as their long-term starting point guard.
Moreover, here’s what Woj had to say on the matter of how the Bulls will treat their point guard need this offseason.
"ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski believes the Chicago Bulls will be active in free agency this offseason, specifically when it comes to adding a consistent point guard.During an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Countdown ahead of the Bulls hosting the Boston Celtics, Wojnarowski suggested Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans and Dennis Schroder of the Los Angeles Lakers as two potential targets.“Point guard is going to be at a premium for them,” Wojarnowski said."
At this point, it does feel like the Bulls would have to keep point guards like Schroder and Ball as some of their top targets this offseason if they want to turn to free agency for help. Schroder was effective in helping to guide the Lakers’ offense this season. And he has past experience playing under Donovan, during their time with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
So far this season, Schroder averaged 15.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks. And he’s shot 43.8 percent from the field, 33.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 84.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, Ball is having another solid season with the Pelicans. He’s averaged 14.7 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks. And Ball shot 41.4 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Following their 121-99 win over the Celtics at home at the United Center on May 7, the Bulls hold a record of 28-39. Next up for the Bulls is a meeting with the Detroit Pistons on the road in the Motor City on May 9.