Chicago Bulls: 5 deep sleepers to find in free agency

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Jaylen Hoard Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Deep sleepers the Chicago Bulls could sign in free agency: Jaylen Hoard

The first former undrafted free agent signing up on the list is the former Wake Forest Demon Deacons 6-foot-8 and 215-pound small forward Jaylen Hoard. In his second season of his NBA career, Hoard played for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He didn’t get much more playing time this season with the Thunder than he did during his rookie campaign with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Bulls did give a shot to an under-the-radar guard in Training Camp and the preseason ahead of the start of the 2020-21 regular season in the form of the former Golden State Warrior and Los Angeles Laker Zach Norvell Jr. But Norvell Jr. was never able to make the roster for the Bulls heading into this regular season.

Hoard is a bit more of a proven option that Karnisovas and the Bulls could turn to this summer to fill any deeper needs in the backcourt rotation. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after his two-way contract with the Thunder runs up. And he didn’t even get to play in a full season with the Thunder, as the two-way contract he signed was back on April 5.

Moreover, Hoard was solid down the stretch in a limited role with the Thunder this season. He averaged a career-best 6.1 points per game, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks. And Hoard shot 50 percent from the field, missed on each of 11 attempts from downtown, and shot 68.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Hoard actually showed a pretty high level of improvement on the defensive end of the floor this season, and he’s turning into a well-rounded third unit guard.

Hoard could be signed for about the minimum amount possible for Karnisovas and the Bulls. If the Bulls really are cap strapped in a spot where they need to fill out this backcourt unit, Hoard is definitely an option worth considering.