5 more players the Bulls could sign via the hardship exemption if needed

More free agents the Chicago Bulls could sign in the wake of COVID-19 issues: Nicolo Melli

One player that didn’t really get a shot anywhere to make a roster during Training Camp and the preseason is the former Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans power forward Nicolo Melli. Never really getting a sustained shot to make an impact with the Mavs or Pelicans in the last few years, Melli could find traction somewhere if it presents the right situation.

If the Bulls signed Melli, they would be getting someone a little bit more adept at playing in the pick-and-roll game, along with spacing the floor by sitting out and waiting for catch-and-shoot opportunities. That was largely his role when he played for the Mavs and Pelicans over the course of the last two seasons.

Melli could actually be someone that is a pretty unique skill set that the Bulls could go out and get if the health and safety protocol issues persist any longer. He is more of a big man that lives above the break than someone that is a lights-out shooter from the corners. Melli didn’t shoot better than 30 percent on corner three-point attempts in either of the last two seasons.

But Melli does rank above the league average for power forwards in each of the last two seasons in terms of his three-point shooting percentage on attempts above the break. When the Bulls’ star center Nikola Vucevic is cold shooting from above the break (a spot where he traditionally lives when shooting from downtown), Melli could be a nice option to turn to off the bench.

While you probably won’t hear anyone mentioning Melli in connection with a team like the Bulls right now, this would certainly be an interesting consideration for this squad.