Chicago Bulls: 3 free agents to replace Ryan Arcidiacono

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Josh Hart Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bulls’ replacements for Ryan Arcidiacono: Josh Hart

A player that is likely to sit among the more underappreciated two-way restricted free agent guards is the former Los Angeles Laker and current New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Josh Hart.

I personally liked the idea of the Bulls trying to sign the former Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks two-way shooting guard Josh Richardson if he hit free agency this summer. But that isn’t going to happen now with Richardson headed for the Boston Celtics.

Hart could be a nice backup option if the Bulls are seeking out a two-way guard to replace someone like Temple and/or Arch in the backcourt unit this summer. As one of the more underrated defensive guards in the NBA in this day and age, Hart could provide good value for Donovan in an area of need on the perimeter.

For a shooting guard that is a bit undersized at 6-foot-3, Hart was insane for the Pelicans on the defensive end of the floor last season. He registered an insane defensive rebounding percentage north of 64 and a steal percentage around 1.5. Hart averaged north of eight rebounds per game and around one steal during the 2020-21 regular season.

This is not to undersell the offensive ability of Hart. He wouldn’t be a reliable outside shooter and potent shot creator for the Bulls off the bench in the backcourt unit like Monk would be, but Hart still brings value to the table for this team.

Hart registered a solid 117 offensive rating with the Pelicans last season. That was thanks to a career-best 1.1 offensive rebounds per game, an assist-to-turnover ratio around 2.5-to-1, and a career-high 77.5 free-throw percentage (also on a career-best two free-throw attempts per game).

As someone who has clearly found a good role for himself on really any team’s bench around the NBA, Hard serves a ton of utility. This is someone that Donovan and the Bulls could rely on for steady, but not elite, two-way production off the bench night in and night out.