Chicago Bulls: 5 veteran wings not to overlook in free agency

Shooting Gard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

2018 Free Agency Status: Unrestricted

2017-2018 Highlights: 13.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 38.3 PCT from beyond the arc

Unlike Ariza, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is much younger, yet has enough experience to help some of the young guys along. With five seasons under his belt, Caldwell-Pope had his most efficient season as a pro last season, offensively speaking.

His career-highs in both field goal percentage (42.6) and three-point percentage (38.3) show he has continued to develop as a player as well. Caldwell-Pope also posted a career-high in rebounds (as seen above), which may speak to an expanded role with the Los Angeles Lakers — another team with some up-and-coming youth.

One of the things I want to see out of the Bulls next season, without a doubt, is a different intensity on defense. If there’s anything Caldwell-Pope is sometimes overlooked for, it’s his defense. He helped the Lakers’ defense improve quite a bit over the last year. Head coach Luke Walton attributed the success of the defense at one point to both Caldwell-Pope and Corey Brewer‘s impact on the team.

Would Caldwell-Pope come in and start right away? I think so. He may be a little undersized to switch to the three spot, but it could happen. LaVine is more of a true shooting guard, and Pope is a better defender, so placing him at the three makes more sense. He will likely command the money of a starting wing, so the Bulls need to evaluate that aspect of it as well.