Chicago Bulls: 3 realistic free agents to fill out the roster

Remaining free agents that are realistic fits for the Chicago Bulls: Dennis Smith Jr.

It seems like the former NC State Wolfpack star freshman point guard and Detroit Pistons rehabilitation project Dennis Smith Jr. has nearly played his way out of chances in the NBA. If there is another team that takes a flier out on Smith, it would be the fourth to do so since he was the ninth overall pick of the Mavericks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft.

But when you take the one season that DSJ spent with the New York Knicks out of the equation, you actually get a respectable and improving bit of production from the ex-five-star recruit.

And given the fact that Karnisovas showed an aptitude for development projects during his time as the Nuggets general manager, it could be an intriguing fit with DSJ as a third-unit guard. If nothing else, the Bulls could give him a chance to make the 15-man roster out of Training Camp.

Given the depth that the Bulls already have among young guards on this roster, it makes sense as a low-risk move to sign DSJ at least to a camp deal.

The first real traction that DSJ found in his career came with the Pistons down the stretch last season. He averaged 7.3 points per game, 2.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks, in 20 games played last season. And DSJ shot 41.5 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 70.0 percent from the free-throw line.

For the first time in his career, DSJ posted a box plus/minus with a team he played in more than 15 games with, at 0.5. The Bulls likely wouldn’t be handing a prominent role to DSJ right away, but it could be a move that pays off in the end given the way he finished out last season with the divisional foe Pistons.