Current Chicago Bulls players Michael Jordan would love as a teammate: Thaddeus Young
Another Bulls player that can fill the role of a versatile big man and do a lot of what it takes just to win games is the veteran 6-foot-8 and 235 pound Louisiana native forward Thaddeus Young. As a player that has also made a positive impact at a number of different spots with different NBA teams in his career to date, young has a lot of respect around the league.
Young had a massive level of improvement in his production during the regular season compared to his inaugural run with the Bulls. In 2019-20, Young registered a -1.2 box plus/minus (among the worst of his career in any individual season), 13.3 player efficiency rating (an actual career-low), and a career-low 1.9 total win shares.
During the regular season that was, Young registered a career-best (by a good margin) 3.2 box plus/minus, 20.3 player efficiency rating, 5.1 total win shares, and nearly .150 win shares per 48 minutes.
The advanced metrics do a lot to show the value that Young brought to the table for the Bulls in the season that was. Young does a lot of things well, but it’s his versatility and toughness on both ends of the floor that would likely make him a very appealing Jordan teammate.
Young was never an All-Star or All-NBA selection, but he does a lot that a Jordan teammate like Ron Harper, Grant, or Toni Kukoc, would and just get a lot of respect for being a key role player that has a ton of longevity. It is worth noting that Young’s production during the regular season (especially in terms of advanced metrics) should put him up as a contender for Sixth Man of the Year.