Which Point Guards Could Be Available For The Chicago Bulls?
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 09: Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves attempts to score during ... [+] the fourth quarter as Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs guards him at Target Center on January 9, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harrison Barden/Getty Images) Getty Images  Numbers don't usually lie, but they can on occasion be misleading. That is the case with the 26.8 assists the Chicago Bulls averaged in 2020/2021, which ranked 8th in the NBA. Despite the impressive average, the Bulls remain in dire need of a playmaker who can consistently initiate the offense and help stars Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic get shots in the right places. Coby White, who primarily started at point guard during the season, is more of a scoring combo-guard than a facilitator. Tomas Satoransky, Chicago's best "pure point guard" plays a passive brand of basketball offensively, which allows defenses to play him for the pass. So unless the Bulls find a way to merge the two players, it appears they need to identify a floor leader who can balance shot-taking with passing. In a somewhat shallow 2021 free agency, names will be limited, and certain options will be out of Chicago's price range. But there are options that could be explored. Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans  Ball is just 23 years old, has great size for the position (6'6) and possesses a court-vision that under the right setting could turn him into one of the most effective playmakers in the NBA. Also worth noting is his improved three-point stroke and an increased confidence level in his overall offense, which likely has increased his contract demands. The New York Knicks, armed to the teeth with cap space projected to be over $50 million, have been rumored to like Ball and could offer him a max contract this August without sweating. The Bulls simply won't have that type of money available, as they likely try to work as an over-the-cap team, meaning they'll have only the non-tax MLE available. Cost: Likely too high, assuming Knicks interest is real  Reggie Jackson, Los Angeles Clippers  The 31-year-old Jackson re-invented himself in Los Angeles as a highly-efficient three-point shooter feeding off the attention from Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. He would be able to play a similar role next to LaVine and Vucevic. Jackson, however, is not much of a playmaker. He's more of a bail-out option, who helps space the court. While he can move the ball, it's not a natural inclination, and his biggest strength is to provide space for stars. So there are benefits to his presence, but not in the sense that it solves Chicago's issues. Also working against the Bulls in this scenario is the fact that Jackson found new hope with the Clippers, is currently enjoying a deep playoff run, as well as the fact that hes playing with Paul George, one of his best friends. Cost: Affordable, but Jackson seems likely to return to Los Angeles. Goran Dragic, Miami Heat  While Dragic is no long-term solution given his age of 35, the Slovenian floor leader does do a superb job at balancing an act of scoring and moving the ball. His modest 4.4 assists this season is more a result of the playmaking responsibilities of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, suggesting he likely would up that average if he joined Chicago. Dragic is also looking for his own shot, having averaged 14.9 points over his past two seasons in just 27.5 minutes per game, even if he is a bit turnover prone when doing so. Dragic, of course, could also be in risk of seeing himself decline somewhat aggressively due to his age, which raises questions in terms of how much the Bulls should invest. By all accounts, he should be gettable. Cost: Affordable, and might be the most realistic option  Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves  As the only non-free agent on the list, to acquire Rubio the Bulls will need to swing a trade. The 30-year-old floor leader is owed $17.8 million next season, which means the Bulls will have to move some contracts around. Rubio, one of the most effective passers in the league, had a down year after returning to Minnesota where he started his career. The Bulls shouldn't want to overpay, and the Wolves shouldn't want to give up Rubio for a package they don't like. If the two sides find common ground on a deal, Chicago wouldn't have to worry about Rubio and LaVine meshing, as the duo played together for three seasons in Minnesota. Rubio's playmaking and defensive presence would significantly improve the starting line-up, but finding common ground does seem challenging. Cost: Attainable, but details will need to get worked out. Gabriel Lundberg, CSKA Moscow  It's unclear whether Lundberg could step into a major role right off the bat, should he make the league as the first Dane ever this August. More than likely, Lundberg could come in as a combo guard off the bench, who will occasionally test out the point and play an opportunistic role offensively. Lundberg made it onto the NBA radar this season, in particular due to his much improved outside shot and ball-handling, two areas the Bulls are in sore need of. If nothing else, Lundberg would be a smart buy-low guard Chicago could test out in different roles. Cost: Attainable and affordable