Chicago Bulls must upgrade at point guard this summer

The Chicago Bulls will look to speed up their rebuild this summer through free-agency and the draft.  It’s important they don’t overlook improving their current point guard situation.

If the Chicago Bulls want to soon become a playoff contender again, they’ll need to ace their off-season test. Doing this likely involves nailing their first-round draft pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Along with making some smart off-season roster upgrades during free agency period.

It’s important to note that the Bulls have many roster needs to address, starting with how their young roster is constructed. Only PF/C Lauri Markkanen appears to be a sure-fire cornerstone franchise player for the organization to build around.

There are many question marks surrounding the health and play of shooting guard Zach LaVine. At least when healthy, LaVine had demonstrated all-star ability in the past. The same cannot be said regarding PG Kris Dunn.

The Bulls de facto starting point guard when healthy has always shown stout defensive ability on the court. In a league where defense is valued more than ever, Dunn seamlessly fits in with the rest of his peers. It’s on the offensive side of the court where Dunn’s struggles intensify.

To this point, Dunn is more of an offensive liability for the Chicago Bulls. Today’s game is all about having point guards who can space the floor while creating easy buckets for both themselves and others. Unfortunately, Dunn struggles doing this regularly as a floor general.

While Dunn is an athletic point guard, his skill set plays more like an off-the-ball guard. While he averaged 6 assists-per-game last season, Dunn doesn’t display a natural feel for anticipating open passing lanes to feed teammates the ball for scoring opportunities.

His shooting stroke also remains a work in progress. Dunn poses little threat to opposing defenses as a reliable outside shooter right now. Dunn’s offensive game relies on beating his man off the dribble. Where up to this point, he struggles to finish drives through contact.

The Chicago Bulls organization must also not forget Dunn’s durability concerns. While he’s just 24 years old, he only played in 52 games last season. Availability is a player’s most important asset in any sport.

Because Dunn has still not answered whether he’s a promising franchise player, the Bulls must consider finding an upgrade at the point guard position, either through the draft or in free agency.

Dunn is still a player the Bulls and any other franchise would love to have on their team moving forward. His role right now seems better suited as a reliable presence off the bench.

The Chicago Bulls would be wise to consider drafting point guards Trae Young or Collin Sexton with the 7th overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

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Both players can create their own shot off the dribble with better ease than Kris Dunn. While they aren’t as reliable as Dunn is defensively, both display better shooting strokes from deep. In addition to being able to set up their teammates for easy scoring opportunities.

If not the draft, the Bulls must hope that a free agent point guard comes along who has a knack for making his teammates around him better.

There’s still time for Dunn to prove doubters wrong. But waiting too long for a player whose position on the court is vital towards improving an entire roster’s chances at winning regularly might not be a gamble worth taking.

We’ve seen how teams without reliable point guard play have struggled mightily in the NBA. As great as LeBron James is, his team’s ultimate undoing in the NBA Finals came in large part because the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t have an impact point guard making life easier for his teammates on offense.

Next: The case for drafting Trae Young over Mikal Bridges

The Chicago Bulls front office should take note of this. Teams that have gradually improved over the years: The Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics immediately come to mind, have reliable point guards who either can create their own shot with ease or create easy scoring opportunities for others.

Unfortunately, the Bulls might remain outside the playoff conversation until their own point guard position is solved.