After the conclusion of the 2020 NBA Draft, the Bulls made it clear they were interested in bringing in a veteran guard. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas even said the team would be picky once free agency began. Well, the Bulls made their move shortly after free agency started. The Bulls got the veteran presence that they were looking for in an 11-year veteran.
BREAKING:
The Chicago Bulls are signing guard Garrett Temple to a 1 year deal.
(Via @wojespn)
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) November 21, 2020
The Bulls signed former Brooklyn Nets Guard Garrett Temple to a one-year $5 million deal. The Bulls didn’t have a ton of options in free agency and this was about the best they could do. He is a good role player and will help in keeping things rolling off the bench. He brings with him 11 years’ worth of experience which will be beneficial in this young locker room.
Breaking down Temple’s stats
Over his 11-year career Temple has averaged 6.4 PPG, 43 %FG, 2.3 RPG, & 1.7 APG. Like I said above he has been a good off the bench role player in his career. However, Temple is coming off of the best season of his career. Last season Temple averaged 10.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, & 2.5 APG. He benefitted from the slew of injuries that the Nets had last season averaging 28 minutes per game. He surely took advantage of those additional minutes. Temple’s three-point shooting numbers over his career have been solid and he should be able to contribute for the Bulls off the bench.
In 576 career games, Temple has shot 34.7% from 3-point range and can contribute shooting and ballhandling in reserve role. https://t.co/ip5lx7JIQv
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 21, 2020
Temple’s reputation in the league
By all accounts, Garrett Temple has left a good impression with former teammates. Many spoke out about the type of person he is which looks like a good sign for this young Bulls team.
12-year NBA veteran Marcin Gortat tells me that his former teammate and the newest Chicago Bulls guard Garrett Temple is “an amazing person.”
Gortat: “He can play at both ends of the floor. He will get the locker room right and will be extremely great vet for the young guys.”
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) November 21, 2020
Looks like the Bulls brought in a veteran that can play as well as be a mentor to the young team. Temple has been a mentor to other players within the league so he should be able to bring that to the Bulls.
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal recently told NBC Sports Washington that the newest Chicago Bulls guard Garrett Temple is the greatest teammate he has ever had.
Beal: "He's a true brother to me, a true mentor."
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) November 21, 2020
This is one of the main reasons why the new front office wanted to bring in a veteran player. Obviously, they wanted someone who could be a reliable role player but they also wanted another veteran presence within the locker room. The Bulls now will have forward Thaddeus Young who’s been in the league for 12 seasons and Temple to continue mentoring this young squad. Don’t forget the Bulls had the 3rd youngest squad last year and they just added 19 year old forward Patrick Williams in the draft. This squad is still very young. Another veteran presence is a good thing.
What impact will this have?
This probably won’t make a huge difference on the court. Temple is a solid defender so that’s an area where you will be able to see some difference. The main difference will come in the mentorship of other players.
I like the Temple signing. It's not gonna move the needle or anything but they needed wing depth, he's a smart defender, and has a strong reputation as a mentor towards younger players. My guess is that last point was a big impetus for targeting him.
— Stephen Noh (@StephNoh) November 21, 2020
Certainly, the Bulls knew what they were getting in Temple. When you have a team this young you need some veteran presence within the locker room to help guide them. This will be Temple’s 11th team that he’s been on during his career. By all accounts, he appears to be excited to be coming to Chicago.
#Chitown WHATS GOOD!!!! Let’s get it @chicagobulls pic.twitter.com/N5p9j4XFei
— Garrett Temple (@GTemp17) November 21, 2020
Expect Temple to fill a bench role for the Bulls. Temple has played the shooting guard and small forward position in the past. Look for him to do something similar with Chicago. This move wasn’t a major move for the Bulls on the court. Off the court, it could be huge with our young guys. Even though it’s a minor move this is one that Bulls fans should like. Temple will be a nice role player, especially if he can mimic the same numbers as last season.
