Five remaining free agents the Chicago Bulls should target
4. Willie Reed
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 245 pounds
Age: 27 years old
NBA Experience: Two Years
Robin Lopez is still a valuable member of the Chicago Bulls. He is a strong veteran big man who is under a reasonable contract. Big guys do not have a ton of value on the open market, but Lopez is a productive player who would be a positive contributor on a contending team. I would like to see the Bulls shop Lopez and replace him with a younger option in free agency. Willie Reed would be a strong younger option.
Reed burst onto the scene with the Miami Heat last season, averaging 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game in only 14.5 minutes per appearance. The season before, he averaged 0.8 blocks per game in only 10.9 minutes per appearance with the Brooklyn Nets.
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Reed is not the most exciting player available on the open market, but he has shown a real ability to protect the rim in his two NBA seasons. The big man from Saint Louis has an impressive 7-foot-3 wingspan and great overall athleticism that allows him to be a force at the rim. With more playing time, Reed could grow into an elite NBA shot blocker.
He also shows strong rebounding skills and is not a stiff on the offensive end of the court. Reed is never going to be a 20 point per game scorer but he can make plays on the pick and roll. According to NBA.com, Reed was in the 70th percentile as a roll man last season.
He is a strong finisher around the rim who is not afraid of contact. While he would never be the focal point of the offense, Reed could undoubtedly be a strong addition. Add in his elite rim protection skills and rebounding ability and Reed could quickly grow into an important part of the Chicago Bulls rebuild.
Trading Lopez and signing Reed would be a strong plan of attack for the Bulls. Having only Reed and Felicio as primary options at the five may seem light, but the Bulls would be giving an opportunity to players who could significantly help them down the line.