Chicago Bulls players that should’ve been waived before Devon Dotson: Matt Thomas
The first name that came to mind that likely would make more sense for the Bulls to part ways with compared to Dotson is the sharpshooting guard/wing Matt Thomas. As one of the more disappointing players through the first half of the regular season for the Bulls, it’s a bit surprising that Thomas is still around on this roster anyway.
Even while the Bulls are going through a tough time in terms of depth shortages due to various reasons, Thomas isn’t contributing at a much higher level. He is getting more playing time game in and game out, but he’s not doing much with it.
In a half-dozen games played in January so far, Thomas has averaged around five points per game, one rebound, one assist, no steals, and no blocks while shooting just 36 percent from the field, 30 percent from beyond the arc, and 63 percent from the free-throw line. Thomas has also registered a poor 90 offensive rating/128 defensive rating this month.
Dotson was producing at a more efficient rate, by a good margin, compared with Thomas so far this season. And knowing that Dotson could occupy a similar spot in the rotation while giving the Bulls someone who can create his own offense off-the-dribble, it really becomes tough to figure out why he was waived.
It’s clear that there are times where the Bulls are lacking a true offensive initiator with all of the depth shortages that came about recently. When guards like Coby and Ayo aren’t on the floor, and neither are the original starters, the Bulls are really lacking a true playmaker/initiator. Dotson would at least give them that right now.