The Chicago Bulls have fallen behind in the Eastern Conference recently. They were looking like a postseason contender at the NBA trade deadline and this caused then to buy a bit. The Bulls are currently 3.5 games out of the play-in tournament in the conference. The season is quickly coming to an end and the Bulls could have their sights set on the offseason. They will need to improve the point guard position and it seems like this will be a priority moving forward.
Chicago decided to hang onto both Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen at the NBA trade deadline. This is a good move considering the level of players they are. LaVine is one of the top scorers in the league while Markkanen, when healthy, if is force that can use his versatility to dominate.
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The Bulls made a blockbuster deal for Nikola Vucevic to add to the mix. They were able to unload Wendell Carter Jr. and Otto Porter Jr., which was expected. Next on the list is finding a difference-maker at the top of the offense.
Coby White has been brought up in NBA trade rumors recently. After just two years in the league, Chicago could give up on White as a franchise point guard for the future. If they do so, he will be traded and the Bulls will take advantage of whatever value he has at the moment.
This leaves a hole at the top of the offense and no depth. With the addition of Vucevic solidifying the frontcourt, point guard is the position that the Bulls could prioritize once the season is complete and NBA free agency comes around.
When looking at some of the available names, Chicago will have plenty to choose from. Here are three point guards that the Bulls should consider bringing to town in the offseason.
Spencer Dinwiddie
Spencer Dinwiddie is currently out for the season with an injury but there is no fit for him in Brooklyn regardless. Dinwiddie showed last season that he is capable of being a starting point guard in the league. He averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game in the absence of Kyrie Irving.
Dinwiddie has a player option of $11.4 million for next season, which he is expected to decline. He could make more on the open market and go to a team that would give him significant minutes.
Chicago fits the bill for both. At 6’5, Spencer Dinwiddie would bring great size to the top of the offense next to LaVine. He has shown that he can score the ball if needed but his ability to distribute is what makes him the perfect option for the Bulls.
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Chicago has their core in place and could be looking for a guard that can get the ball to their stars. That is what Spencer Dinwiddie is capable of. He is not a strong three-point shooter but can create his own shot in the midrange or get in the lane. This is where his passing ability comes into play. Dinwiddie would not break the bank and would give the Bulls a strong option in the backcourt.
Dinwiddie is 28 years old and could sign for a few years with the Bulls. This is not a short-term option for either side. When looking at potential fits, Spencer Dinwiddie might be mentioned at the top of the list.
Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball emerged as one of the top names on the trading block at the deadline but the New Orleans Pelicans decided to hang onto him. The Bulls could view Ball as the perfect player next to LaVine in the backcourt for many reasons. At 23 years old, Ball still has plenty of time and room to grow but he has a polished set of skills already that is hard to find.
Ball is one of the top on-ball defenders in the league. He would come in and immediately be the Bulls’ best defensive players with the ability to lock up the opposing team’s guard. Chicago has struggled on this end and Lonzo Ball would help right away. He is extremely improved offensively but still not a finished product.
He would be able to learn from one of the league’s best in LaVine. The two would complement each other well because of the difference in skill. Lonzo Ball is also a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor. The value is there for Ball in NBA free agency. It is unknown what the market will be but the Bulls could bring in Ball as a long-term option.
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Ball is versatile and can play on or off the ball. This is a point of intrigue for Chicago as well. The Bulls are still rebuilding the lineup and Lonzo Ball is a piece that could stick around long term.
Elfrid Payton
This is certainly not the move that Bulls fans might be looking for but it makes sense when thinking about it rationally. There is a chance that the Bulls might not land that big-name point guard and they might not want to target a veteran on a short-term deal. Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley might decide to go to contenders rather than a team like Chicago that is unknown. When it all plays out, Chicago might need a bridge for a year or two.
That is where Elfrid Payton comes into play. He has been manning the point-guard position for the Knicks this season. Payton is scoring 11.1 points in 24.7 minutes per game. He can make a play when needed and knows how to defer to the focal points of the offense.
That is important when coming to play with Zach LaVine and Lauri MarkKanen. This is less about the fit and more about the business side of things. Would the Bulls rather deal with White for a year or get a return this offseason? If they send him away and do not have a replacement, Elfrid Payton would be a cheap option for a year or two before they find their franchise guy.
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Elfrid Payton has some starting experience in New York. He is not a star at the top of the offense but there are worse names out there. Financially, this move makes sense for Chicago if they are not able to make anything else work.
