Chicago Bulls fighting for their spot in the rotation in February: Alfonzo McKinnie
The playing time for the former Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Alfonzo McKinnie since joining the Bulls before Christmas 2021 was a narrative of peaks and valleys. McKinnie really saw himself playing in a key role for the Bulls throughout much of late December and early-to-mid January.
But a regression in McKinnie’s production and efficiency in the last few weeks saw his playing time greatly dwindle as the Bulls got simultaneously healthier. A combination of those two factors could continue to make it difficult for McKinnie to make headway in terms of elevating his role in this rotation too.
It really feels like the month of February is more important to McKinnie than any other newly signed player on the Bulls roster to fight to stay in this rotation.
If McKinnie elevates his defensive game, starts winning more battles on the glass, and can space the floor more effectively, then there will be a clear spot for him in the rotation. Otherwise, it might not be too long before McKinnie is out of the rotation for good.
McKinnie had a few really solid games for the Bulls in the first week or two after he was signed via the hardship exemption. But there weren’t all that many games for him to boast otherwise since early January. It will be interesting to see if there’s even one game where he gets double-digit minutes off the bench in the weeks ahead.