Chicago Bulls: Don’t run back the Schroder-Donovan connection

While it is nice to think back on the success that the Oklahoma City Thunder had between then head coach Billy Donovan and point guard Dennis Schroder, this isn’t something that the Chicago Bulls should try to run back heading into next season. The Bulls have a definite need at the point guard position to fill this summer.

But as it seems like I mention almost every day, there are other better options out there for the Bulls than giving a bag to someone like the Los Angeles Lakers point guard Schroder. Other options such as the New Orleans Pelicans impending restricted free agent and point guard Lonzo Ball, Brooklyn Nets standout point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, or even making a move to trade up in the draft could be considered before signing Schroder to a bloated contract.

The term “bloated” is used since it looks like Schroder is set to get a minimum of $18 million of average annual value on his next contract, which is way too much for a point guard that never posted a box plus/minus above zero in any season of his career to date. In a year where point guards are expensive and options are limited, it would make more sense for the AAV of Schroder to be so high.

But since options look to be plentiful on the point guard market this summer, it makes less sense that Schroder is likely to cost so much.

Past connections shouldn’t encourage the Chicago Bulls to pair Billy Donovan with Dennis Schroder

According to a report from ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst this week, there is “thought to be interest” between the Bulls and Schroder since there is a point guard need to fill in Chicago this summer. The previous connection between Schroder and Donovan during their time together with the Thunder does make sense to spark any interest.

But most Bulls fans should be pressed to say that Schroder should be signed as anything more than a sixth man for the Bulls. At his peak, even second-year point guard Coby White could produce as efficiently as a starting point guard for the Bulls as Schroder.

Find a more efficient option to truly maximize what the Bulls could have in the starting unit alongside forward Patrick Williams, star shooting guard Zach LaVine, center Nikola Vucevic, etc., this offseason. Since options are plentiful, the front office should be able to get a starting caliber point guard brought into the mix this summer.

Roster movement season is about to begin for the Bulls in the next few weeks with the night of the 2021 NBA Draft set to take place on July 29 and free agency set to begin next week. Free agency should be what brings most of the action and headlines for the Bulls in the coming weeks and months, though.