Elfrid Payton, PG
Maybe the most emphasized need that the Bulls have this offseason lies at the point guard position. The microscope is really getting placed on the Bulls this year, and it is something that Karnisovas and Eversley must address. The plan at the moment appears to be making two of their top point guard targets in free agency this offseason Dennis Schroder and Lonzo Ball.
There is another name to watch out for this offseason at the point guard position, that might not be able to fill a starting role, but still be a valuable two-way presence for the Bulls. Former Vooch teammate and New York Knicks point guard Elfrid Payton. The 27-year-old 6-foot-3 and 195 pound floor general is having a solid run with former head coach Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks this season.
His numbers might not appear to look the best on the surface, but as is usual for background role guards in a Thibodeau system, Payton is making significant contributions to winning efforts. In the next step of Karnisovas and Eversley building up the Bulls roster, this is the type of player that they could use in the rotation.
The former lottery pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft has averaged 10.8 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks, in 59 games played this season. And he’s shot 43.9 percent from the field, 28.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 68.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Payton has continued to develop as a facilitator and off-ball defender in his career to date. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, giving the Bulls an opportunity to see what he brings to the table for them.