Free agent targets for the Chicago Bulls that are better defenders than Garrett Temple: Lonzo Ball
It’s difficult to even go one week without pondering the idea of the Bulls trying to sign the New Orleans Pelicans two-way point guard Lonzo Ball to boost this starting five ahead of the start of next season. Lonzo would meet so many of the needs that the Bulls have, namely to find a future point guard for this franchise.
The 2017-18 All-Rookie Team selection continues to improve his game on both ends of the floor, as it seems like the Pelicans were a good fit to help Lonzo find his footing in the NBA. He struggled out of the gates with the Los Angeles Lakers as the second-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. But Lonzo might finally be ready to take his talents to join a bigger market team again, as the Bulls.
What Lonzo could specifically bring to the table for the Bulls on the defensive end of the floor is a lengthy and gifted perimeter defender that can lock down on just about any opposing guard. That aforementioned length and lateral quickness for Lonzo allows him to keep up with even the quicker guards he defends (i.e. Damian Lillard, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Stephen Curry, etc.).
Lonzo has yet to have a season where he posts a defensive box plus/minus below 0.2 and his steal percentage never dipped below 2.0. He’s a very disruptive force on the perimeter that is just as effective running with the ball in transition. Lonzo could effectively add some pace to the Bulls offense, and some disruption in the passing lanes on defense.