Chicago Bulls: 3 under the radar free agent targets

Target Three: Montrezl Harrell, Power Forward/Center – LA Lakers

One of the most common player comparisons for Coby White is Lou Williams. Bulls fans everywhere would be thrilled if White emerged as a reliable 17-20 point per game scorer off the bench next season. What better way to promote that development than bring in the player who had tremendous success running the pick and roll with Lou Williams in Los Angeles for two years before signing with the Lakers last offseason.

The Lakers, who were loaded with big men on their roster, neglected to find a consistent role for Harrell and as a result, I feel he will end up declining his 10 million dollar player option to test free agency.

With Montrezl Harrell, the Chicago Bulls’ second unit immediately becomes a strength, and Coby White could really take off as a scorer. Additionally, Harrell provides another defensive leader with his effort on that side of the floor. We saw how the trade for Daniel Theis elevated the Bulls’ defensive effort and while it is unclear if Theis will be back, I am sure signing someone like Harrell to either replace Theis or pair with him would have a ripple effect throughout the team in terms of defensive effort.

Additionally, with Vucevic, Theis, Thad Young, and Harrell, Billy Donovan could become extremely creative with his lineups and develop a strong rotation that allowed all players to play to their strength.

The only concern I’ve ever heard with Montrezl Harrell was his ability to fit in well with locker rooms. He created issues with the Clippers when he questioned why Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were not held to the same practice standards as the rest of the team and has always been a vocal presence wherever he’s been.

This is the type of attitude I believe the Bulls desperately need. They need a defensive voice, a leader, and a guy willing to get dirty on the defensive side of the ball. Signing Montrezl Harrell is an absolute no-brainer for the Chicago Bulls and if he’s welcomed to the Bulls along with both of the aforementioned free agents, it could mark the conclusion of a very sneaky good offseason for Chicago.