According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Chicago Bulls are reportedly interested in LA Clippers restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin. “The Stein Line on Tuesday learned that Chicago is Mathurin's other current suitor,” Stein wrote. That would be a solid idea for the Bulls, but Mathurin would have to know the pecking order.
Matas Buzelis should walk into next season as the Bulls’ starting small forward, and Norman Powell feels like a safe bet to start at the shooting guard spot. If Mathurin is comfortable coming off the bench – at least, for the time being – then the move would be great. But if Mathurin is in a position where he feels like he deserves a starting role, then Chicago may not be the best fit.
Adding talent is crucial for the Bulls at this stage of their rebuild, but not if it comes with the wrong type of attitude.
Bennedict Mathurin would have to be a Bulls bench guy
This isn’t to say that Mathurin has that type of attitude. He may not. He may want to join the Bulls just for a fresh change of scenery, happy to accept any role that comes his way.
He only started one game for the Clippers last year after getting traded from the Indiana Pacers at the deadline. So, if he’s comfortable coming off the bench, then great. Mathurin would be an awesome addition to the Bulls' rotation.
The point is, the Bulls should already have their starters lined up for next season. And barring a significant upgrade, that shouldn’t really change. They should leave it as it is.
Chicago’s starting lineup should be Josh Giddey, Powell, Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and Nicolas Claxton. For the right upgrade, perhaps Claxton could come off the bench, or even Powell, but Mathurin isn’t that.
Powell is a significantly better scorer than Mathurin, and his three-point shooting will be crucial to rounding out the Bulls’ first five. Mathurin would work much better as a bench sparkplug.
And Buzelis should not see his role downgraded for anyone. He and Wilson are the future of the Bulls, and demoting him to the bench would not be in the team’s best interest.
Mathurin would be an ideal sixth man. A guy to help make sure that the Bulls put enough points on the board next season.
But if Chicago were to sign him, it would have to make sure that he’s okay with being the go-to sixth man, rather than a full-time starter.
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