Thaddeus Young

While the backup center spot was a major area of concern — especially against the Milwaukee Bucks —the Chicago Bulls’ most glaring need was actually size and defense at the forward slots.

The Bulls were able to craft a surprisingly perky defense behind the length and activity of Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball but relying on two guards to lead on that end of the floor proved to be an unsustainable method for success.

While Caruso and Ball will continue to embed their fingerprints into Chicago’s defensive identity, their rout against Giannis and the Bucks exposed just how small they were on the wings. Patrick Williams and Derrick Jones Jr. were their only reliable wing defenders with size but each presented their own issues.

Patrick Williams, or Baby Kawhi, has failed to stay healthy so far in his young NBA career and is still a year or two away from becoming a true shutdown defender.

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Derrick Jones Jr. is one of the most versatile stoppers in the league, but his offensive shortcomings make it difficult to keep him on the floor. Also, his length can swallow up most forwards, but his slender frame makes him susceptible to giving up space against bigger wings and slashers.

Thaddeus Young would provide the Bulls with an intelligent help defender, a capable perimeter stopper, a connector on offense, and a backup center all in one. Young has always been the NBA’s requisite role player but has been stuck on losing teams for the majority of his career, including in his first stint with the Chicago Bulls.

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Now that Chicago has a roster more ready to compete, they owe it to Thad to bring him back as their sage veteran, and he may even be willing to take a small pay cut to return to one of his former homes.