Former Chicago Bulls players who will find success elsewhere in 21-22: Thaddeus Young
One of the saddest Bulls players to see go during the offseason was the veteran former Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young. Thad was one of multiple key Bulls’ veterans that was shipped out since the trade deadline last season.
More specifically, he was one of the two remaining 2019 free agent signings of the Bulls that was sent out in key sign-and-trade deals during the offseason. Young was shipped off to the San Antonio Spurs in the sign-and-trade that brought the four-time All-Star DeRozan to Chicago.
Young was included in a deal that also sent veteran forward Al-Farouq Aminu and some future draft capital in an expensive trade to get DeRozan.
It’s hard to express how important Young was to the bench last season for Donovan and the Bulls, as he only started in 23 of the 68 regular season games he played in. Young had the best on/off court plus-minus for the Bulls last season, and he was second on the team in box plus/minus.
Young was in the running for Most Improved Player for much of last season. And he could’ve brought a lot of value to the table still for the Bulls next season. But that is the cost of doing business sometimes.
The expectation for Young next season should be that he continues his solid two-way production. A lot of what DeRozan did for the Spurs Young can do in bits and pieces. DeRozan is a better offensive initiator, and Young is the better defender. But in terms of helping to run all of the motion offensive plays that the Spurs like on that end of the floor, Young should be a capable passer and finisher closer to the rim.