Chicago Bulls: 5 takeaways from 2017 NBA Summer League

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 8: Cameron Payne #22 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles against the Dallas Mavericks on July 8, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Is Cameron Payne still the point guard of the future?

When the Bulls acquired Payne, the thought was that he and the other younger players would get significant playing time. Fred Hoiberg, however, decided to go with a shortened rotation to help the team remain in playoff contention.

As is the case with Dunn, Summer League was going to give Payne an opportunity to put his past struggles behind him. Similar to Dunn, Payne didn’t fare too well in the tournament either.

To shine a positive light on this narrative, it should be pointed out that Payne scored in double figures in both of his Summer League games. On the down side, he shot just 9-for-26 from the floor and committed seven turnovers. On top of that, Payne also converted just two of his 12 attempts from distance.

Just one game after Dunn left for family reasons; Payne would do the same.

Due to family reasons, Cameron Payne has left Summer League and will not return.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 11, 2017

This is not a good sign for a Bulls squad that is heavily depending on its young players to form a level of chemistry to help make this rebuild somewhat digestible. Based on those numbers produced by Dunn and Payne, the point guard of the future could be Jerian Grant.

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