Chicago Bulls: 3 non-guaranteed players likely to be cut

Non-guaranteed players likely to be cut by Chicago Bulls: Matt Thomas

One of the most intriguing players that the Bulls signed to a non-guaranteed deal heading into Training Camp and the preseason is the former Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz sharpshooting two-guard/wing Matt Thomas. The 6-foot-5 and 190-pound former Iowa State Cyclones standout guard will be one of the better shooters that the Bulls have in camp.

The reason why Thomas could make the roster for the Bulls heading into the regular season is the fact that the two-guard/wing rotation is pretty devoid of knockdown shooters otherwise. Star shooting guard Zach LaVine is a good shooter from deep. But that doesn’t help the Bulls bench find good catch-and-shoot threats from the outside.

Some of the other options that the Bulls have among two-guards that are also good shooters coming off the bench are really just converted point guards/combo guards. That could include the third-year guard and former North Carolina Tar Heel Coby White and the rookie former Illinois Fighting Illini star Ayo Dosunmu.

Now, the reason why it seems likely that the Bulls wind up cutting Thomas is the intent that the front office and coaching staff looks to have with the backcourt/wing units on the bench heading into next season. The Bulls have added a lot of better defenders and more athletic players to line the reserve units at shooting guard and small forward. Thomas doesn’t fit the bill there.

Thomas making the roster for the Bulls heading into the regular season likely hinges on how well he shoots the ball in the preseason. If he puts up the type of production he did two seasons ago, where he shot north of 41 percent from beyond the arc, he could make this roster. If he shoots less than 34 percent from deep like he did last season, don’t expect to see Thomas with the Bulls for too long.