Bulls Give Antonius Cleveland a Chance

Few people will discuss the latest Bulls move because it’s unlikely to have a significant impact. Still, the Bulls deserve credit for giving a young player a chance. That player is guard Antonius Cleveland, who was claimed off waivers Monday. His contract for this season isn’t guaranteed, but he is eligible for a qualifying offer in 2019–20.

Cleveland made his NBA debut last season, playing 13 games with the Dallas Mavericks and four with the Atlanta Hawks. Altogether, the Southeast Missouri State product averaged 1.4 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.4 steals while shooting 38.1 percent from the field. He also spent seven games in the G League with a scoring average of 13.6 points a game to go with 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Your instinct to all of that is probably to yawn.

Cleveland brings the Bulls’ roster to 16, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he began the season with the Windy City Bulls. Still, the Bulls obviously see something in this kid, and it’s unlikely they’d be signing him this late in July if they didn’t plan on having him be part of the organization. The $1.378 million he’s set to make this season indicates the Bulls aren’t risking much by bringing him aboard, either. Their hope is to strike gold in the last place people would expect.

Perhaps Cleveland will be Windy City’s star for the season, resulting in the Bulls being forced to give him an extended NBA look. Or maybe he’ll show he has a low ceiling and be released before the season even ends. Whatever the case may be, both sides believe they can trust each other and should get a fair shake in getting acquainted with one another. If this wasn’t serious business, you might as well grab any regular Joe off the street and give him a contract.

Good luck, Antonius. Prove to everyone you belong. We know you want to. It’s time to show it.