Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

3 Bulls who won’t be on the 2022-2023 roster after playoff elimination

By Candice Evans

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Tristan Thompson #3 of the Chicago Bulls rebounds against Grayson Allen #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on April 05, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 127-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Tristan Thompson #3 of the Chicago Bulls rebounds against Grayson Allen #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on April 05, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 127-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Tony Bradley #13 of the Chicago Bulls (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Tony Bradley #13 of the Chicago Bulls (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2. Tony Bradley

Tony Bradley didn’t see much action this season. The 24-year-old only played in 55 of the team’s 82 games and only saw 10 minutes of play on average. His two points and three rebounds in those minutes certainly wasn’t enough, either. While his minutes are low, only grabbing three rebounds per game at 6-foot-10 is alarming.

Coming into the league, there were questions about what his ceiling could actually be. He is 6-foot-10 with a thick body but doesn’t play over the rim and can’t stretch to the three. He isn’t a shot blocker and doesn’t move his feet well.

The question of what he brings to the table was never answered this season and that in itself is … the answer. Chicago desperately needs a post player who can be a strong interior presence on defense to back up Nikola Vucevic.

Vucevic isn’t a great defender. Everything he gives a team on offense can easily be given back when he’s on defense. To combat that, his backup needs to be a player who can put in work down low on the defensive end.

If that backup is also a low-block threat offensively, Chicago will take the leap into being real contender. Donovan will have the option of playing both Vucevic and the backup together. Vucevic is a great passer out of the high-post and top of the key. He can do high-low action. Bradley can’t.

Finding a backup for Vucevic should be the a priority for the Bulls because Bradley isn’t it.