Free agents on Chicago Bulls Black Friday shopping list: Mike James
With the first two players on this list, I mostly went with the theme of efficient scorers and shooters that also aren’t the worst defenders in the world. If the Bulls’ front office wanted to make a safe free agent signing that could still contribute in a meaningful way off the bench, signing the likes of Cook or Ennis would make the most sense.
But if Karinsovas and the Bulls wanted to take a bigger risk by getting just a raw bucket-getter out of free agency, then they should look no further than the former Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans point guard Mike James. While the sustained production was never there for James, he certainly had some breathtaking flashes at key times for the Nets last season.
He played a key role as a valued scoring guard for the Nets down the stretch last season, scoring in double figures in six of the final 10 games he played in. And you can see the type of production he brought to the table for the Nets down the stretch last regular season.
He averaged around 16 points per 36 minutes, five rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and 0.5 blocks. And he shot around 37 percent from the field, 36 percent from beyond the arc, and 78 percent from the free-throw line.
It became evident down the stretch last season, including in a playoff run with the Nets, that James could be a key spark plug in a reserve role. If he proved that he could fill that role for the Nets last season, including during a two-series postseason run, he should be able to do the same with the Bulls.