Chicago Bulls: 3 Veterans to reunite Billy Donovan with in free agency
Chicago Bulls free-agent targets that have played for Billy Donovan: Patrick Patterson
Veteran power forward Patrick Patterson played under Billy Donovan for two years with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 32 year old forward is fresh off a short stint with the Los Angeles Clippers that could be used to support his veteran presence in an NBA locker room.
During the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, Patterson played in 145 games for Donovan. He started eight of those games.
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Patterson is not a player that will demand a big contract of any sorts in free agency and he isn’t someone that is going to get significant minutes on a nightly basis. He appeared in 38 contests for the Clippers last season and averaged 15.3 minutes per game in those appearances.
On a veteran minimum contract, though, he could be of value to the Bulls. He is a smart player that can fill in when needed and be used specifically for certain matchups on the defensive end. That alone is of value to the Bulls.
Patterson’s potential value only increases if the Bulls decide to move Thaddeus Young in the offseason. Not nearly the player Young is at this point in their careers, Patterson could slot into a good chunk of the power forward minutes when needed.
He would bring experience, defense and the ability to stretch the floor. Patterson is a 35.7 percent three-point shooter in his career. He could wind up being one of the best players signed for a vet minimum contract this offseason.
If that is all it takes to sign him, the Bulls should strongly consider reuniting Patterson with Billy Donovan.