Chicago Bulls: Potential free agent adds from NBA Playoffs
By Ryan Heckman
Center Zaza Pachulia — Unrestricted
Kids who were born during the rookie season of Zaza Pachulia will be graduating high school in two years. That said, Pachulia is an interesting free agent for the Bulls. Do I think he’s a huge difference-maker? Not really.
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Do I think he’s the kind of player Boylen is looking for? Yes.
Pachulia may be 35 years old, but he still brings the physicality and intensity in the paint. It seems to be a lost art in today’s game, but Pachulia brings it every night. The old man is still ready to knuckle up with anybody. Whether or not you think that’s a good thing doesn’t matter. This guy brings an edge, and I guarantee Boylen likes that aspect of his game.
He wouldn’t have to play too many minutes, but Pachulia could offer the Bulls 12-to-15 minutes per game, allowing Wendell Carter to rest. With Robin Lopez being a free agent, and the Bulls having tried trading him in the past, it’s unlikely he returns. They will need to find some depth behind Carter, and I doubt they’ll be content with Cristiano Felicio.
Pachulia, if anything, can help bring more of an attitude to this young team. If Boylen is going to stick around for a while, then we might as well roll with the punches. Pachulia is a gritty player, and always has been. He’d help in that area, at the very least.