Remaining FA targets that fit with Lonzo Ball: DeMarcus Cousins
It’s hard to know exactly which pieces that the Bulls should go after from what’s remaining in free agency given the spotty rotational needs and limited cap space. The Bulls do look to have the starting unit set, so whoever the front office tries to sign from here on out would have to be a good fit with Lonzo, DeRozan, etc. in other ways.
A good way to attack this issue could be finding other valued free agent signings that might not contribute the same level of value that they used to. That’s exactly what executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley could find out of the four-time All-Star and former Los Angeles Clippers big man DeMarcus Cousins.
Obviously not the same player that he once was with the Sacramento Kings and Pelicans prior to a host of injury issues, “Boogie” Cousins could still bring a good amount of value to the table for the Bulls. He was still able to fill an effective bench role in his last two stops with significant playing time, with the Clippers and Golden State Warriors.
Let’s just take a look at the per 36 minute numbers Cousins gave the Clippers in the postseason this year. He averaged a career postseason best 32.9 points per 36 minutes, 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.9 blocks. And Cousins shot 45.2 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 78.6 percent from the free-throw line.
The Bulls need to add depth still to the frontcourt unit, as the presumed backup center at the moment would have to be Cristiano Felicio. Cousins could be a good place to start to restore some of that depth. And he has enough versatility in his game to give Lonzo a lot of options as to how to feed him the ball on offense.