The Chicago Bulls’ demise last season was their three-point shooting, finishing last in the league in attempts and second to last in makes per game was certainly an issue worth addressing over the off-season. After hardly any significant additions to remedy, the Bulls not-so-surprisingly sit in the bottom five in both categories to start the 2022-23 campaign. In a game where three-point shooting has become a necessity, Chicago’s been well behind the curve. In their defense, Lonzo Ball and his team-leading makes and attempts from deep have been missing in his absence. With pinched cap space and Ball not slated to return any time soon, where do they turn?
Melo To The Windy City
Former Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony became a journeyman of sorts over the past five seasons and has had to re-invent his game along the way. First, an athletic freak turned midrange-savvy bucket-getter to now a three-point specialist. After losing out on the six-time All-NBA team member in 2014, Chicago should pick up that phone again. With Anthony shooting 39% from deep over the past three seasons with nearly two makes per contest, he’d be an instant difference-maker. Those figures would be in the top three in each category on a lackluster shooting Bulls team.
Beyond the three-point shooting, Anthony would also provide a hall-of-fame resume and pedigree in the locker room. His mentorship and guidance would be immeasurably valuable to a roster that only features a handful of players that have ever seen beyond the first round of the playoffs. Patrick Williams might benefit most from the former Syracuse forward joining the team. A third-overall selection himself, Anthony would provide a great role model for Williams, who has failed to scratch the potential of a top-five pick and has plenty of untapped talent.
Shaking The Roster
Adding in a veteran sniper will cause a wave of rotational changes; it won’t be a direct replacement. Needing 15-20 minutes a night to be effective, Anthony would probably chip off minutes from several bench wings such as Derrick Jones Jr., Javonte Green, and Patrick Williams. Still, his flexibility to play the three or the four provides some room for head coach Billy Donovan to mix and match or even plug in the starting lineup if needed. In a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Anthony spoke on playing in the NBA again, saying, “I realize there’s a lot of things that’s not in my control. So I can sit back and let it play out, and whatever it’s going to be, it’s going to be, and I accept that”. At a veteran’s minimum price tag, the Bulls can snag an impactful ticket-seller who can provide a new spark to a dim season.
With Lonzo Ball’s injury status getting murkier by the day and the Bulls’ record in a downward spiral, a roster move to solve one of their most significant issues is a must. Cheaper than any trade option, has a higher three-point percentage and rate than 80% of the current roster, and brings a career legendary enough to be named to the NBA’s Top 75 team, Anthony is the perfect solution in a can’t lose situation. He doesn’t work out? The Bulls have the same losing record, cut ties after the season, and sold a few more jerseys. Oddly enough, he was a Chicago Bull once already for ten days in 2019 when he was waived without playing a minute on the court.
Much like his bench impact with Portland and Los Angeles over the past few years, by bringing his services to Chicago, the Bulls can get back on track and make a deep playoff run. With Goran Dragic wearing seven and Coby White wearing zero, look for #15 and his signature three-to-the-head celebration in the red and black, hopefully, sooner than later.
