No. 6: Kelly Oubre Jr., Hornets
If the Bulls want to add pure, unadulterated offensive firepower, then look no further than Kelly Oubre Jr. Without a doubt the most prolific scorer remaining in this free agent class, Oubre’s resume speaks for itself. Although injuries held him back from playing a significant portion of last season, he averaged an impressive 20.3 points per game for the Hornets, a career-high for the forward.
What strikes me as notably less impressive, however, is the way he scored those 20.3 points per game. Although he was a willing shooter — attempting over seven long-range shots per game in each of his last two seasons with Charlotte — they didn’t actually go in enough to justify his trigger finger. Oubre only converted 31.9% of his threes this past season, and has never once converted at a rate higher than the NBA’s league average 35.5% clip.
Despite Oubre’s undeniable talent, the Bulls are likely better off searching for a less selfish, more team-oriented player here.
Kelly Oubre and Matisse Thybulle would be welcome additions to the Bulls’ thin rotation at the wing.
No. 5: Matisse Thybulle, Trail Blazers (Restricted)
Speaking of unselfish players, Matisse Thybulle is practically the antithesis of everything that Oubre is. Averaging just four shot attempts per game over his four seasons in the NBA, Thybulle hits the open market looking to expand his role past what he has shown over his rookie contract,
Typically, I wouldn’t expect players to make a radical leap in development after witnessing several years of stagnation, but Thybulle’s brief stint in Portland offers a glimmer of hope for his future potential. In 22 games with the Trail Blazers, Thybulle averaged 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 38.8% on 3.9 three-point attempts per game (yes, you heard that right) and maintaining his typical All-Defensive Team caliber of play on the other end. For that reason, Thybulle feels like a perfect low-risk, high-reward gamble to take if Chicago can land him on a reasonable contract.
Update: Matisse Thybulle has signed an offer from the Dallas Mavericks
As a restricted free agent, the Portland Trail Blazers have 48 hours to decide whether to match Dallas’ offer.