Chicago Bulls should make Patty Mills a free agent priority
The Chicago Bulls should make free agent point guard Patty Mills a major offseason priority. His game fits much better with their roster than Rajon Rondo.
It is going to be extremely interesting to see how the Chicago Bulls attack this offseason. Considering they have not shown the ability to properly build around Jimmy Butler in recent years, I personally believe that trading Butler to jumpstart a big rebuild is the best plan of attack. However, as long as Gar Forman and John Paxson are in charge, that is extremely unlikely to happen.
If the Bulls insist on continuing to go for it by building around Butler, they need to surround him with shooters. Butler is one of the best two-way players in the NBA and can be a real offensive force when given space to operate. Unfortunately, the Bulls’ lack of outside shooting has held his game back in recent years.
In a time when every NBA team is looking to find outside shooting to space the floor, the Bulls seem content with having little to no outside game. There is something to be said about zigging when others are zagging, but their current plan of attack is not going to get them to the promise land.
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Simply put, the Bulls need more guys who can hit the outside shot. At the same time, they need a legitimate point guard to lead their offense. With those two things in mind, Patty Mills is a perfect target for the Chicago Bulls this offseason.
Mills has played second-fiddle to Tony Parker with the San Antonio Spurs for some time now. The Spurs have gotten the most out of Mills as a reserve but it is time for him to branch out and get a full-time opportunity. Especially after his impressive showing in the postseason.
Mills’ 9.5 points and 3.5 assists per game this year do not immediately stand out as particularly impressive. That being said, they are strong numbers when you take into account that he was only playing 21.9 minutes per game for the Spurs. Mills provided great energy for the Spurs off the bench but he appears ready to take on a larger role.
Mills is and extremely quick and smart player who always seems to make the right play. He can create offense for his teammates, showing the knack for making plays off of the dribble-drive. Mills is also a strong finisher at the rim, especially for a guy who stands only 6-foot tall. Most importantly, his 40-percent career three-point percentage would help keep defenses honest against the Bulls.
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Mills is a playmaker with the ball in his hands and can hit the outside shot both off of the dribble and the catch. Make no mistake about it, he would immediately make the Bulls offense a more dangerous unit.
Defensively, Mills’ size does give him some limitations. That being said, he is a feisty competitor whose speed, court awareness and sheer determination allow him to compete on that end of the court. Mills is not an elite defender by any means, but he is certainly above average in that department.
But what about Rondo?
Mills feels like a perfect fit for the Bulls, especially if the price is right. The only real issue I see here is that the Bulls’ front office has already voiced their intention to bring back Rajon Rondo.
Rondo played well down the stretch for the Bulls and can undoubtedly lead their offense. That being said, his inability to shoot from the outside hurts them on a consistent basis. We know what a Bulls offense led by Rondo looks like. It’s not terrible, but they are not competing for championships with him as the primary point guard.
Next: Jimmy Butler trade scenarios after the lottery
Mills probably does not take them over that hump all by himself. But he is a talented player who fits this roster extremely well. If the Chicago Bulls are intent on building a roster to compete in the present, they should aggressively target Patty Mills this offseason.