Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
On the subject of Fred VanVleet’s defense – it isn’t great. VanVleet is a high-feel player, and he plays hard too. Unfortunately, he’s simply too small to make a major impact on that end of the floor.
For that reason, some will see him as a questionable fill-in for Lonzo Ball. Here’s the issue: 6’6 point guards who space the floor, defend the point-of-attack at an elite level, and make good passes aren’t easy to come by. Lonzo Ball won’t be easily replaced.
At least the addition of VanVleet gives the Bulls a starting caliber point guard for those times when Ball is unavailable. In fact, VanVleet is a more dynamic offensive player, and at least Ball’s equal as a floor spacer. With that said, the more enticing situation for the Bulls is one where they’re both healthy.
In that event, VanVleet would likely function as the sixth man. In all likelihood, he’d be a strong candidate for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
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The Bulls would have tremendous firepower, and they may not miss Vucevic too badly – the lower usage Andre Drummond may actually be a better fit.
That’s the situation that should motivate the Bulls to make this deal. After all, it would be far too premature to write Ball off.
