The Chicago Bulls needed to do something. Anything on the buyout market is probably rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic for this Bulls team which is currently on a 6-game losing streak. The All-Star break was much needed by the fans, the players, and everyone involved with the organization.
There were some rumors about the Bulls going after Russell Westbrook on the buyout market. With the Clippers managing to convince Westbrook to stay home in Los Angeles, the Bulls had to look elsewhere. On Monday evening, we got something that isn’t very close to a “WOJ BOMB”.
The Bulls have brought Patrick Beverley into their lineup off the buyout market. Beverley is a hometown kid and has always had an interest in playing for the Bulls.
Some big reasons for the team’s struggle are the lack of point guard play, the lack of 3-point shooting, and honestly, a lack of heart as well. The hope is that Beverley can help in those three areas.
Beverly is a career 37.4% 3-point shooter and averages over a steal a game for his career. Both of those numbers are down in the 45 games he played and started for the Lakers. He shot 34.8% from 3 on 3.5 attempts per game and averaged 0.9 steals to go along with it. I suspect Ayo Dosumnu will remain the starting point guard despite some of the sophomore struggles he has been having.
Bulls’ fans are not happy with the team’s lack of activity since acquiring their core. The only signings they have made have been Tristian Thompson, Andre Drummond, Goran Dragić, and now Patrick Beverley. Essentially all players that were on the buyout/veteran minimum market.
The Bulls are currently 2 games out of the 10th seed which is the final play-in spot. Beverley seems to think he can help the team make a run to close the season. The Bulls will have to make a move to open up a roster spot. Goran Dragić and Tony Bradley are the prime candidates to lose their spots and enter the buyout market themselves.
Reilly McDonnell
Reilly is from Naperville, IL and is a big Bulls and Michigan State Spartans fan. He enjoys spending time with loved ones, watching movies, and coaching Water Polo when he isn’t watching basketball or deep diving Basketball-Reference and Stathead.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McDReilly97!