Who the Chicago Bulls should’ve signed instead of Stanley Johnson: Alize Johnson
It would’ve been smart for Karnisovas and the Bulls to replace one Johnson with another in this regard. There is reason to believe that the Bulls could greatly benefit from the potential to sign the former Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers 6-foot-7 and 215-pound 25-year-old power forward Alize Johnson heading into next season.
Alize was released by the Nets last week in the wake of Brooklyn signing the likes of veteran power forwards Paul Millsap and LaMarcus Aldridge. It hurts too that the Bulls were looking to go after both Millsap and Aldridge to address a looming need at the four.
Since the Bulls still don’t have a true proven option to play some minutes in a reserve role at the four, Alize could be an interesting option still. He is definitely one of the younger and more appealing power forwards available in free agency at this point of the offseason.
As a very solid rebounder, improving on-ball defender and facilitator, and a decent shot blocker, there’s a lot that Alize could do for Donovan and the Bulls coming off the bench. He’s improving in multiple facets of the game and could be someone that the front office can get long-term value out of.
By no means is Alize someone that the Bulls would be a modern floor-spacing big man out of. He shot less than 19 percent from beyond the arc on a three-point attempt rate less than 10 percent last season. But that doesn’t reflect the true value that Johnson could bring to the table in a niche role in the frontcourt unit.
Alize looks like he could fit a clearer role that would benefit Donovan heading into next season as he tries to round out the rotation in the coming weeks, at least compared to Stanley.