Chicago Bulls: 3 most underrated signings of the offseason

Most underrated Chicago Bulls signings this offseason: Alize Johnson

I already mentioned the Bulls signing of (Alize) Johnson on the afternoon of Sep. 6 to round out the long holiday weekend on a high note. This was a very good move for the Bulls to get someone that has increasing upside, still at the young age of 25. Johnson spent last season with the Nets, and the prior two with the divisional foe Pacers.

Last season was really a time for Johnson to show what he can do on some pivotal stages. Although he only played in 18 regular season games, and a few more in the postseason with the Nets last season, Johnson put up some efficient numbers when he was called on.

Johnson registered a career-best 2.6 box plus/minus, .227 win shares per 48 minutes, and a sparkling 23.5 player efficiency rating with the Nets during the 2020-21 regular season.

The Bulls managed to sign Johnson down to a two-year contract worth a total of around $3.6 million. He came available to the Bulls in the first place actually thanks to the Nets needing to make room for a pair of veteran power forwards in Paul Millsap and LaMarcus Aldridge on the roster.

Johnson is an awesome rebounder that should play most of his minutes at the four for the Bulls next season. Depending on how often Donovan wants to run small ball lineups out on the floor next season, Johnson could also get some minutes at the five too. He’s a good enough rebounder and rim protector to play at the five if Donovan that has a lineup that works for small ball.

Arturas Karnisovas and the Bulls did a nice job of adding some nice value options among young big men that are largely still improving at this point of their career. Centers Marko Simonovic and Tony Bradley, along with Johnson, all have increasingly high upside that the Bulls could capitalize on starting next season.