Chicago Bulls players that’re problematic scheme fits for Billy Donovan: DeMar DeRozan
There might be more excitement surrounding the addition of the former San Antonio Spurs star shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan than any other Bulls player heading into next season. The lone exception to that could be the former New Orleans Pelicans point guard and restricted free agent signing Lonzo Ball.
DeRozan is definitely going to help the Bulls get over that elusive postseason hump. The problem for Donovan and the Bulls with the addition of DeRozan becomes how much he can elevate the team beyond the status of just a postseason contender. DeRozan is not a natural scheme fit at first look with most of the players in the projected starting unit next season.
Star shooting guard Zach LaVine likely needed some more defensive help and someone else that could effectively open up the floor for him on offense. Instead, the Bulls got a wing with limited range that also was never really a net positive defender. A starting unit consisting of a trio of star center Nikola Vucevic, DeRozan, and LaVine, is not a good one on defense.
The four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Team selection DeRozan brings a certain level of star power to the Bulls that was hard to match otherwise. But unless Donovan gets very creative with how he uses this trio of Vucevic, LaVine, and DeRozan, on offense, then this could be a clunky looking unit at times. What he does on defense is anyone’s best guess.
It’s a good thing that the Bulls got some help on defense this offseason with the additions of Lonzo and former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Alex Caruso.