Hoops Habit
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: Complete 2017 offseason grades

By James D. Tillman III

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 18: Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls takes a shot in front of the Bulls' bench during the second quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 18: Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls takes a shot in front of the Bulls' bench during the second quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

Signing Justin Holiday to a two-year deal

As was the case with Felicio, Holiday’s NBA journey has been somewhat interesting as well. Since going undrafted in 2012, he has played in the D-League, Belgium and Hungary.

However, despite a so-so start to his NBA career, Holiday has performed reasonably well over the last season-and-a-half. During his first stint with the Bulls (a 27-game stretch in 2015-16), Holiday averaged 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per contest.

After the Bulls sent him to the New York Knicks as part of the Derrick Rose deal, Holiday had his best season to date, with averages of 7.7 points and 2.7 rebounds on 43 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.

Despite the numbers, though, the Knicks renounced their rights to him, making him an unrestricted free agent. When that occurred, the Bulls swooped in and offered the fourth-year guard a two-year deal worth $9 million.

Following a somewhat dysfunctional season with the Knicks last season, adding Holiday to the mix gives the Bulls a veteran presence for the team’s younger players.

"“My role, which is kind of weird to say … I’m one of the oldest people on the team, which is a first for me,” Holiday told the Chicago Tribune. “So I guess I can fall into some type of leadership role to help some of the younger guys because I have been through so much.”"

At 6’6”, Holiday’s size and length allows him to guard multiple positions. Additionally, with Zach LaVine rehabbing an ACL injury and the potential buyout scenario with Dwyane Wade, the Bulls are in need of a wing player who can defend and Holiday fits the bill.

It’s not a blockbuster deal by any means, but this is the kind of deal we can expect from a Bulls team that is starting from square one and the fact they didn’t break the bank is another plus.

Grade: B

Home/Chicago Bulls