Deep sleepers the Chicago Bulls could sign in free agency: Grant Riller
Another rookie point guard that the Bulls could find value in pursuing in free agency this summer could be the former College of Charleston product and 6-foot-2 and 190-pound Florida native Grant Riller. The 56th overall pick of the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft didn’t get much of a chance to show what he can do during his rookie season.
As one of my personal favorite second-round draft targets for the Bulls last year, Riller could still be a great value find for them on the restricted free agent market this summer. The Bulls could fill a similar sort of role on the roster, or in a two-way contract slot, with Riller that they could with Winston heading into next season.
Riller only played in seven games during his rookie campaign with the Hornets. Thus, they might not be as willing to invest more in him heading into his sohpomore campaign in the NBA.
But in the very limited minutes that Riller did play in for the Hornets during the regular season, he was solid. In just seven games played this season, Riller averaged 24 points per 36 minutes, 1.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and no blocks. And he shot a very solid 66.7 percent from the field, 50 percent from beyond the arc, and 75 percent from the free-throw line.
There’s a lot worse that a rookie can do in a limited spotlight than Riller did, posting a 5.4 box plus/minus, .177 win shares per 48 minutes, 75 true shooting percentage, 23.6 player efficiency rating. He could be a nice value find out of restricted free agency for the Bulls this summer.