Among the eight Chicago Bulls to log over 200 minutes this season, the leader in net rating isn’t early-MVP candidate Josh Giddey or hyped sophomore Matas Buzelis—it’s eighth-year wing Kevin Huerter.
Huerter’s 4.6 net rating ranks fourth on the team, behind Julian Phillips (56 minutes), Jevon Carter (20 minutes), and Jalen Smith (160 minutes). While Smith’s impact may rival Huerter’s, there’s no question that Huerter’s subtle shift in playstyle has been instrumental to the Bulls’ early-season success.
Kevin Huerter’s offense has evolved dramatically
But wait… Huerter’s statistics don’t look dramatically different from past seasons. He’s averaging 14.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.7 three-pointers—none of which are career highs. He’s topped all these numbers before. Yet his usage rate has never been higher, he’s averaged more drives only once, and his shot selection leans away from threes like never before.
At 21.0 percent, Huerter’s usage rate has topped 20 for the first time in his career, outpacing Buzelis, Vucevic, and even Dosunmu. He handles the sixth-most touches on the Bulls, yet he’s highly efficient—second on the team in points per touch, a direct result of his new role.
Billy Donovan is now using Huerter as a tertiary creator, a marked shift from his previous role as a spot-up marksman. He’s become a more complete offensive threat, with 34.3 percent of his looks coming from within three feet of the rim, well above the 19.3 percent he had at his peak in previous seasons.
Huerter is driving more than ever, averaging 5.3 drives per game. On those drives, he shoots 45.0 percent and draws fouls at a high rate—about one in five drives ends with a trip to the free-throw line. This shift in playstyle has naturally led to an uptick in his free-throw attempts. The 6-foot-7 wing is averaging 2.6 free throws per game, and it’s always a positive when he gets to the line. Huerter is converting at 84.6 percent, tied for third-best on the team.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Huerter’s three-point rate has dropped sharply. Less than half of his field goals now come from beyond the arc—49.0 percent, a 15.7 percent decline from last season. Over his career, more than 52.8 percent of his shots came from long range, highlighting the shift in his shot selection. Among all NBA players, Huerter’s 15.7 percent decrease ranks sixth-most.
Huerter steps up as a versatile offensive weapon for the Bulls
Red Velvet didn’t change his playstyle just for the sake of it eight years into his career; his evolution was equally a matter of opportunity and necessity.
Donovan employs a balanced approach, guided by both design and roster construction. Chicago’s best player, Giddey, is one of the most unselfish in the league, often looking to pass ahead rather than initiate the offense himself. When Giddey or Tre Jones is pressured by a defender, both readily give up the ball.
Another benefit of Donovan’s offense is that it allows Huerter to score in a myriad of ways—not just on catch-and-shoot opportunities. He now probes the lane more often and has added floaters, short turnaround jumpers, and mid-range shots to his repertoire.
Lastly, the Bulls need Huerter to create. Even with a balanced approach, Chicago isn’t flush with playmakers. Outside of Dosunmu, Giddey, and Jones, and with Coby White out, few players can initiate. As a 6-foot-7 guard/wing, Huerter has been tasked with creating more often, which in turn has expanded his offensive game.
Huerter isn’t leading the Bulls’ surprising ascent alone—no single player is. Still, expanding his role and evolving his playstyle to meet Chicago’s needs has been a key factor in the team’s success and a big reason the Bulls sit at 6-4 through the first three weeks of the season.