Dallas Mavericks: 5 Trade Destinations For Andrew Bogut

Chicago Bulls

Another team fighting for its playoff life, the Chicago Bulls are just on the right side of the cutoff. But at 24-25, this team has struggled to live up to expectations amid a hailstorm of drama, controversy and poor defense.

Starting center Robin Lopez has been a solid offensive piece for the Bulls, setting screens and attacking the glass. But on defense, his slow-footed stance makes him vulnerable to players attacking him in space. Among NBA centers, Lopez ranks 67th in defensive RPM.

Bogut doesn’t have the quickest feet, but his defensive instincts and timing allow him to keep the paint protected from attacking offensive players. He balances dropping back with staying close enough to the opposing ball-handler to convince them they’re not open.

On offense, Bogut is the definition of a low-usage player. That’s perfect for a Chicago duo in Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler that want every late-game play to go through them.

Both Wade and Butler rank in the top 20 in usage rate during the fourth quarter, at 33.9 and 34.1 percent respectively. Bogut is 446th in the league with an 8.4 percent usage rate.

While Chicago desperately needs a starting-caliber point guard, they have players who can handle the ball in Butler and Wade. What the team cannot replicate is a true rim-protecting big. Enter Andrew Bogut.