Bulls at the Break: Backcourt
We interrupt your moaning of Jerry Reinsdorf’s other team missing out on Manny Machado for something to take your mind off it: a look a the Bulls’ backcourt to this point in the season. There’s been a little bit of good, some bad and a whole lot of unknowns. What can’t be disputed is the Bulls have plenty of people lining up to earn minutes at guard. Sometimes, that’s all you need to get through a rebuilding season.
Zach LaVine, SG: At the beginning of the season, LaVine’s first season of his four-year, $78 million contract, he appeared to be headed to the All-Star Game with how productive he was. His game has since tapered off a bit, but he’s still averaging career highs in nearly every major category (23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.4 blocks, 46.2 field-goal percentage). The knock on him is that he doesn’t play defense, and the 3.3 turnovers a game he’s averaging aren’t anything to write home about, either. Even so, he’s been worth the money the Bulls ponied up in the offseason to keep him, and it will take a generous offer to get him dealt from the Windy City.
Kris Dunn, PG: Though averaging career highs in minutes (31.3) and assists (6.5), Dunn hasn’t done enough as a player or a floor general to ensure he’s the Bulls’ long-term answer at point guard. In fact, the Bulls are said to be pursuing another point guard this summer, either through the draft or free agency. Dunn will need an amazing end to the season to convince Gar Forman and John Paxson they can prioritize other areas of the roster. That still might not do it because even though the Bulls have guys who can sub in for him, you’ll see they’re not exactly the next Chris Paul, either.
Antonio Blakeney, SG: Despite earning a full-time job in the NBA this season, Blakeney’s inconsistent scoring led to a drop in his minutes and games appeared, especially after Jim Boylen took over. On a team starved for points, Blakeney turned into another player who can tear up the G League but struggle against greater competition. With another year to go before he hits restricted free agency and him not exactly one of Boylen’s favorite players, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was traded after the season. These next couple of months are as much about his future as trying to get playing time now.
Wayne Selden, G/F: Acquired from Memphis for Justin Holiday, Selden has made the most of greater opportunities in Chicago. Though his numbers have dropped overall from last season, he’s done much better across the board since the trade, and Bulls fans have taken notice. If there’s a Bull making a bang-bang play in the middle of a game, chances are Selden is the man making it happen. Don’t be surprised to see him re-sign with the Bulls after the season as it’s clearly been a good move for him.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, G/F: The Bulls got him and cash in a trade with Oklahoma City. It’s too early to give him a fair judgment, but the early returns are promising. Though he won’t change how opposing coaches strategize when they play the Bulls, he doesn’t deserve to be left on the end of the bench, either. He’s an adequate substitute, and there’s always a place for a player like that on an NBA roster.
Ryan Arcidiacono, PG: If there’s one player other than Dunn currently on the roster who deserves to be an NBA point guard, it’s Arcidiacono. He’s started whenever Dunn has been unavailable and, at times, has made better decisions than Dunn. And if that doesn’t keep him in the league, his free-throw shooting (90.4 percent this season) will. There might have been doubts about his professional future initially, but he has the hustle and basketball IQ to stay in the NBA for awhile.
Shaquille Harrison, PG: Harrison’s purpose on the team is to eat minutes, and he knows he won’t get a start anytime soon. If the Bulls had anything resembling a respectable roster, he probably wouldn’t be here. Even so, he’s been able to tread water just fine, even if he’s taken a step back from his rookie season in Phoenix. His best bet to let the season play out and see what happens from there.
Also in the backcourt, point guard Brandon Sampson and Rawle Alkins have spent most of the season with the Windy City Bulls, and they’re bound to get more playing time with the big club once the G League season ends. Denzel Valentine continues to stabilize his left ankle and hope he can salvage something with the Bulls next season. Because of these factors, it’s not fair to properly assess any of these three players.
With the majority of the guards having an unknown presence on the Bulls for the future, it’s time for them to make their move. Whether it’s in Chicago or elsewhere, these guys want to keep playing in the NBA and will do whatever it takes to stay there. Yeah, it’s not that exciting of a group, but what else did you expect, especially after the early-season turmoil? If nothing else, watching them will distract you from a certain prized baseball free agent signing with San Diego instead of the White Sox.
