Chicago Bulls: Exciting basketball is finally back in town
The Chicago Bulls kicked off NBA free agency with the acquisition of Lonzo Ball.
The Bulls went out and make a sudden free-agent splash by picking up a crafty facilitator in Lonzo Ball. He is a guy who can bring such value to a cast that already has two perennial all-stars in Lavine and Vucevic who last season, accounted for nearly 44% of the team scoring.
Although Ball is often knocked for his inability to shoot, we know that the Bulls will turn to Lonzo for his passing as well as his ability to get them running out in transition, something the Bulls have lacked since the injury to Derrick Rose in 2012.
Ball will play on a 4 year, 85 million dollar deal with the club which I think is a fair assessment in comparison to other contracts being signed throughout the league. In 4 seasons, Ball has recorded a career average of 11 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds. I don’t look for him to be the savior to the Bulls but I do look for him to be the post-season spark who can speed up the game and get the ball to guys around him in tight situations.
Overall Grade: A-
Alex Caruso was a very nice little signing for the Chicago Bulls in free agency.
The Bulls then signed a proven player in Alex Caruso. He is a guard who can play the 1 or 2, be an on-ball defender who can effectively shoot the ball off the bench, and his athletic ability makes him a great option for the Bulls In the 2nd team backcourt.
Caruso also poses as a playoff player who appeared in 64 games for the Lakers in their 2019-2020 championship run. He was a very valuable asset who was praised by former teammate, Lebron James, for his consistency and dedication to work and constantly improve on his game.
While Caruso has averaged a career 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, it’s often defense and heart that goes unnoticed on the stat sheet. I think Caruso will be a tremendous spark off the bench playing with energy and poise in big games for the Bulls. Caruso is on a 4 year 37 million dollar deal and will have to live up to all his 9.25 million dollars a year in playing time if he wants to remain a fan favorite.
Overall Grade: B-
DeMar DeRozan was a very surprising signing for the Chicago Bulls in free agency.
A lot can be said about the versatile guard DeMar DeRozan. He is a 12 year player in this league who devoted his heart and soul to the Toronto Raptors only to be traded to San Antonio where he efficiently played his last 3 seasons of basketball.
DeRozan will now play with the Bulls on a 3 year, 85 million dollar sign. That is a ridiculously good value deal if you ask me. The Bulls manage to lock in on a playoff experienced veteran guard who has a 20 point career average. DeRozan also has the ability to play the 2 or 3 and adds the final slashing piece to company Lonzo Ball and Zach Lavine.
As Zach Lavine continues to grow and progress, the fans, as well as the front office, should feel a lot better now that he has DeRozan. He was once a Raptor superstar and now should be a high-quality personality in his ear helping him along the way.
DeRozan possesses leadership skills and the been there done that mentality when it comes to playoff basketball. As much as I love what Lavine is able to do night in and night out, it feels good as a Bulls fan knowing the ball can also go into another shot creator’s hands with the game on the line.